Yasiel Puig was the subject of some trade rumors last month when a report cited that the team had grown frustrated with his inconsistency along with his presence in the clubhouse. However, he wasn't traded before the non-waiver deadline and he will not be dealt before the August 31 waiver deadline.
Puig was placed on revocable waivers last week and was claimed by another MLB club, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark. But, as expected, the Dodgers pulled him back and did not opt to negotiate a deal with the mystery team.
"I think the only real news in this regard, the only significant news, is that we now know that Yasiel Puig is not going to get traded this summer," ESPN Insider Buster Olney said on the Baseball Tonight Podcast.
Because the Dodgers pulled him back, Puig is no longer protected by such a move if he's placed on waivers again. This means Los Angeles cannot pull him back if he's claimed by another club the second time around.
"He remains a figure on the team that I think they're intrigued by his talent, and frustrated by his inconsistency ... while he had a great game on Tuesday night, if I had to bet the family farm either way, I don't think he's going to be with the Dodgers next spring."
Fellow ESPN colleague Tim Kurkjian weighed in on the speculation as well.
"I'm going to say he'll be with them next spring, but I don't think he's going to be with them long-term because of that frustration ... I don't see them moving him until he gets another full, healthy year under his belt."
Rumors indicated the Dodgers were willing to trade Puig in the right deal, but nothing was worked out before 4 p.m. ET on July 31. It was said the 24-year-old may have been dangled in trade talks with the Philadelphia Phillies for starting pitcher Cole Hamels before the left-hander was sent to the Texas Rangers. The Dodgers struck a couple of deals before the non-waiver deadline, but none involved any of their marquee players/prospects aside from Hector Olivera.
"Of course, teams routinely put their players on waivers this month so it doesn't necessarily indicate much," Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com wrote. "Some teams simply want to gauge the interest in their players. It's also not surprising a team would claim Puig given his big upside and team-friendly contract. He won't be a free agent until after 2019 and he's owed $19.5 million between now and then."
Teams contacted the Dodgers about Puig last month, but it's possible any offers that were made weren't to the front office's liking. Puig is having the worst offensive stretch of his career in 2015 and has yet to get back on track after missing over a month with a hamstring strain, meaning clubs could have been looking to buy low. He's batting just .246/.317/.432 with 25 runs scored, 9 home runs and 34 RBIs in 66 games and has struggled mightily against right-handed pitching.
Manager Don Mattingly spoke to the youngster about becoming a part-time player so the team can use Carl Crawford more against right-handed pitching (Puig's stat line against right-handers this season is .246/.304/.422 in 204 plate appearances), which could indicate the Dodgers are ready to move on if Puig fails to make progress in the next couple of months.
