With trade rumors surrounding Andre Ethier, the Los Angeles Dodgers are also reportedly getting calls on the enigmatic Yasiel Puig.
However, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, the Dodgers are telling those interested in Puig that the 25-year-old is not available in trade talks, "at least for now."
Earlier this week it was reported manager Dave Roberts granted Puig a "clean slate" for 2016 while president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman praised the outfielder for working hard to get in better shape this offseason. As a result, rumors indicated a trade was unlikely after Puig was the subject of such talks earlier in the offseason.
Puig was limited to just 79 games last year due to a number of injuries. He batted .255/.322/.436 with 30 runs scored, 11 home runs and 38 RBI in 282 at-bats. He has yet to recreate his magical 2013 season, but the Dodgers likely feel he's capable of such produection if he can get back on track, avoid further distractions and mesh better with the new coaching staff.
The Dodgers also probably aren't interested in moving Puig at this juncture since his value is low and other MLB clubs are likely trying to take advantage of that. He ceiling is high and he's under a team-friendly deal, but he's coming off an unproductive campaign and previous rumors suggested he's a distraction in the clubhouse, so Los Angeles clearly does not have the upper hand in any hypothetical trade talks.
Ethier and Carl Crawford are the two outfielders the Dodgers probably want to get rid of first since both are aging and owed a lot of money. Although Ethier had a productive year in 2015, there are still other younger options that the Dodgers might prefer (Joc Pederson, Alex Guerrero, Trayce Thompson, Kike Hernandez, etc.)
It seems as if the Dodgers are going to roll with Puig to see how he produces in 2016. Depending on how that unfolds, he could be the subject of trade rumors before the non-waiver deadline, so don't rule anything out later down the road.
