What Yasiel Puig’s Comments Towards The Dodgers May Really Be About
Yasiel Puig has spent the better part of the offseason and spring barking about the Dodgers. Moreover, we know Puig like we know our own selves.
Puig is your friend. Because of this, Puig is an entertainer. Indeed, the man understands that his marketability increases with the persona he exudes. With every quote, bat lick, tongue wag, or shimmy in the batter’s box; eyes on Puig increase. Any attention in sports is better than irrelevance, especially in a sport like baseball.
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Nevertheless, let’s look at the most recent shot fired by Puig at the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Now I have to do my part to show that they made a mistake,” Puig says. “I’ll show them what I could have done for them if they’d kept me.”
Now, that’s understandable. A big league player stating that he’s going to play with pride to stick it to his former team is nothing new. In fact, it’s downright admirable. Tell me that you wouldn’t all want a guy like that in the Dodgers clubhouse. You cannot.
Still, Puig has had other biting quotes towards the Dodgers organization. For example, in January he claimed that he ‘didn’t work hard’ for several seasons before leaving.
“The last couple of years, I didn’t work hard because I still have a contract to go,” Puig said. “Now, I think work harder than any year of my life.”
We all saw Puig play beyond maximum effort – to the point of his own detriment at times. It’s negligent to take him at his word on those comments.
I’m not here to defend Yasiel Puig, simply to examine what’s really at the center of his salt with his former ball club.
Why Puig Might Be Saying What He’s Saying
One could easily chalk this up to ‘Puig being Puig’. However, I don’t think it’s just that. Surely, the guy likes being in headlines. This is not a newsworthy statement.
Equally important – Puig is playing for a contract. He gave mention to an aspect of this in that same article where claims of his lack of work ethic were in play. Here’s a quote:
“If I can sign here, you say?” Puig said. “I don’t know. You been asking the GM if he wants to sign me? If he gives me the money I want, (and) I’m going to be here all the years he wants. I love Ohio. This is my color. I love red.”
Yasiel Puig is over-selling.
What do we do when someone we love truly breaks up with us? Well, many of us act like we’re happier than ever before on the outside. In fact, we post pictures on social media of us smiling and frolicking with friends. No, that didn’t hurt one bit.
We do this – when exactly the opposite is true.
Yasiel Puig Loved His Dodgers Teammates and the City of Los Angeles
When Puig left the Dodgers, the love in his heart for guys he grew up with in the game didn’t leave with him. Think back to the playful slaps to Cody Bellinger and all the manic chats on the bench with Hyun-Jin Ryu. Obviously, the guy had a blast with a group of guys he came to recognize as family.
Puig’s comments are to portray the opposite of what he’s likely feeling. There are parts of him – like us – that probably saw him wearing Dodger Blue forever. Few players embodied the spirit of Chavez Ravine like 66 did. The trade probably was a bit of a culture shock.
From someone who lives in Ohio, you couldn’t end up in a much different place overnight. Cincinnati is a wonderful city – but it’s crickets compared to Los Angeles. The comments from Puig are him adjusting to a new and strange environment.
What do you make of Yasiel Puig’s Comments?
We’re interested in your take on this. Obviously, this is a player and topic that inspires a lot of passion and will until he retires. It’s a great topic to be discussed in our comments section.
How do you feel about Puig’s comments and do you still love him? What is the true meaning behind them – and do you believe he will achieve further success in Cincinnati? Sound off for us below!
My thoughts on Puig……… the Dodgers moving him made him sad………Still think he wanted to be here………don’t think he wants be in Cincy but he’s trying to put a good spin on it……….But he (Puig) was dead on when he said the Dodgers moving him, Wood and Kemp and getting basically nothing in return was stupid……..but I also think Friedman made that trade primarily for chemistry purposes……..these are guys who I do not think we’re happy with the way the Dodgers were using them…….I also think Puig blames Friedman for trading him and still refuses to acknowledge that his own (Puig’s) actions played a role in it.
I am going to miss him but his comments about not working hard are very telling. I had the mistaken impression players gave it their all each season to be the best they can be. Seems he was purposefully holding back. And that is severely disappointing.
Yes tthe fact he said he was holding back was disappointing along with his inability as a RHB to hit LHP.
I hope Puig tears it up and is successful with the Reds. He is the Cuban Missle Crisis and loved how he got under the skin of other teams and didn’t care. Dodgers will regret the trade but imo opinion the Dodgers just didn’t like the baggage that he came with. They been wanting to trade him for 2 years now.
Plus he also needed a change of scenery. Just with his comments already causing controversy lol. Plus he sore because he was traded and didn’t leave on his terms.
Feed the Puiggy is his job
Of course Puig was hurt finally being traded. Although the rumors were always out there, he knew how popular he was with the fans and the city of Los Angeles. His hurt is in his comments (which aren’t far from true) and he is distancing himself the only way he knows how. Yasiel is no different from any other athlete that got traded to a less desirable organization. Even though he is playing this season for his financial future, I’m positive he would rather be doing it with a chance to win what he hasn’t. Just watching him double last night in the exhibition game and go half way to third only to scramble back will make it difficult for Dodgers fans to separate from the unpredictable player we loved to watch the last few seasons.
From watching Puig play, we know he did go all out, sometimes to the detriment of his own body. It is one thing to be traded for talent, but Puig, Kemp, Wood and Farmer were dumped for two mid-level prospects! Within days the Dodgers were saying they needed right handed bats!
Puig was always more trouble than he was worth – more talk and stupid plays than important production.
Funny how his good bye Instagram post was all about the love he had for LA and his teammates! Watching him in right field was like watching a petulant child. He never seemed focused and he stomped around when he made a mistake. Yes, he made spectacular plays at times and could be exciting, but he could have been really great. I think it is better for the team that he is gone.
I totally agree. Puig displayed immaturity & the Dodgers did Puig a big favor to take him out of his comfort zone.
When I first heard of the trade I was like man.. not Puig but then reading more more about the trade and hearing him say, I wasn’t giving my all is very disappointing to hear from us fans watching the games daily…however I really do hope he tears it up this coming season.
I only wish the best for Yasiel, but Clint, we’re trying to apply American reasoning, rationality, and culture to a young man who has experienced the United States for what? 6-7 years? and as an adult no less?
Nancy said it right, “like watching a petulant child”. In terms of what we’ve come to expect from major league talent, Yasiel is an immature young man. No offense intended, just a fact. The other extreme is Bryce Harper. How old was he when the “grooming” began to play professional ball? 8, 9, 10?
All things considered, I’m surprised Yasiel hasn’t made more statements that make us say, “Ummmmm”. And personally, I couldn’t imagine what these teenage Central, South American, and Caribbean players must experience in transitioning from what many are third world countries to the “bubble” life of the major leagues.
I’m hoping someone reading this will respond with what a wonderful program MLB has for these players to help them transition to Big Macs, Room Service, and groupies. Otherwise, I know I’d last about 13 days before I implode.
Yasiel was a “wildcard”, never knowing what to expect. No matter how enjoyable from time to time, this had to drive EVERYONE, from the trainers to Magic nuts. Again, I only wish him the best, but America has changed (and not necessarily for the good) since the day Roberto Clemente graced our great game. Go Blue!
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