Written by Dylan Hernandez at LA Times.com
Behave. Showcase your talent.
Simple enough, right?
Except nothing is simple when it comes to Yasiel Puig, who will head to triple-A Oklahoma City this weekend with very straightforward blueprint of how to salvage his once-promising career.
The Dodgers have made their decision. Puig now has to make his.
The 25-year-old former All-Star is at a critical crossroads in his career, with one fork in the road leading back to the major leagues and the other to Flameoutville. It’s really up to him where he ends up.
Whatever course he takes, the gates at Dodger Stadium will almost certainly remain locked to him. Every indication is that Puig won’t play again for the Dodgers.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday before the Dodgers’ series opener in Colorado, General Manager Farhan Zaidi declined to speculate on the possibility of Puig returning to the team’s major league roster.
“I don’t want to handicap the situation,” Zaidi said.
It doesn’t sound as if Puig is part of the team’s plans, does it?
While Manager Dave Roberts offered some lip service on how Puig could use his time in the minors to improve as a player and person, the reality is that he will be in Oklahoma City to showcase himself for other teams.
If the Dodgers’ failure to move him by Monday’s nonwaiver trade deadline was any indication, Puig will have to play well to improve his stock.
At least one team is said to have shown interest in Puig, according to people familiar with the situation who spoke under the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter. Other clubs have started to explore the idea of a potential acquisition.
Puig’s deflated value won’t be the only obstacle the Dodgers will encounter in dealing him.
Before Puig can be traded, he has to be waived.
If Puig were to clear waivers — he has a team-friendly contract that will pay him a combined $14 million over the next two seasons — the Dodgers would be able to send him to any team.
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