Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig reportedly became "disgruntled" over being used primarily against right-handed pitching during the 2018 season, sources familiar with the situation told Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
These issues over playing time have apparently led to the Cuban being open to a trade, Hernandez reports.
Puig has been an important member of the Dodgers over the past six years, and perhaps never more so than in 2017 and 2018, when he helped them to consecutive NL pennants. But the mercurial star's playing time was cut slightly in 2018; although he slashed a reasonable .267/.327/.494 with 23 homers and 15 stolen bases while playing Gold Glove-caliber defense in right field, Puig only appeared in 125 regular-season games, down from 152 in 2017.
Indeed, the majority of Puig's games last year came against right-handed pitchers, against whom he mashed. When a southpaw was on the hill, Puig struggled to the point that manager Dave Roberts often left him on the bench.
| PA | BA | OPS | HR | RBI | XBH | BB | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vs. RH | 291 | .297 | .921 | 19 | 48 | 33 | 24 | 53 |
| vs. LH | 153 | .209 | .628 | 4 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 34 |
The up-and-down relationship between Puig and the Dodgers has produced plenty of memorable moments, but has also been fraught with issues over the years, including one incident during the 2018 postseason run that left Roberts upset.
Puig's name has already surfaced in trade rumors this winter, and it was reported that the Dodgers discussed trading him to the Cleveland Indians in a package for two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. Another report suggested L.A. tried to move him last August, reportedly dangling him as part of a failed offer for Bryce Harper.
MLB Trade Rumors projects that Puig - who's celebrating his 28th birthday on Friday - will earn $11.3 million in 2019. He's scheduled to become a free agent next winter.