After a frustrating 2015 season in which multiple hamstring injuries limited him to just 79 games, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig found little reprieve over the winter months.
Andy Van Slyke, father of Dodgers outfielder Scott Van Slyke, strongly implied last November that Clayton Kershaw asked the club to trade Puig. Less than one week after the report, Puig was involved in a fight with a bouncer outside a Miami bar, which has led to an ongoing Major League Baseball investigation.
Then in December, a report surfaced with a comment from one of Puig’s former teammates, who referred to the Cuban native as the “worst person” they’ve encountered in baseball.
Despite the offseason controversy, Puig’s name continued to be mentioned in trade rumors. However, Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi said last month the club didn’t have any activity on that front.
Zaidi’s message fell in line with what Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman stated over the past few months. Collectively, the front office is behind Puig, who was instructed to lose weight, and believes the 25 year old can play a significant role moving forward.
Kershaw and Puig had the opportunity to speak during MLB’s goodwill tour to Cuba last December. The Dodgers’ ace also provided some clarity at FanFest on the topic of him reportedly asking for the enigmatic outfielder to be traded.
Most recently, Kershaw said he’s been impressed by Puig during Spring Training, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times:
“I’ve been really impressed with him this spring,” pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. “He’s putting in a lot of work.”
Puig was among the group of position players who were participating in workouts at Camelback Ranch prior to their scheduled report date. He missed the first full-squad workout as he was still dealing with the after effects of having his wisdom teeth removed, but returned the following day.
Coming off a season in which he batted .255/.322/.436 with 11 home runs, 38 RBIs, a .328 wOBA and 111 wRC+ and was largely a non-factor, Puig reconnected with former English instructor Tim Bravo, who was last with the young outfielder during his rookie year in 2013.
