Should Dodgers Send Yasiel Puig & Joc Pederson Down?
By Pablo Jacobo
The Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly have made a move to their roster (not official yet). They will add pitcher Mat Latos and 1B/OF Michael Morse to the roster for a pair of minor leaguers. It was nice to see LA finally pull the trigger on a deal. Not the ideal name fans wanted to hear but the Dodgers have plenty of time to concoct other deals.
The #Dodgers acquire RHP Mat Latos and power-hitter Michael Morse from #Marlins for three prospects, per @GDubCub, @clarkspencer
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 29, 2015
The Dodgers have been reluctant to include their two most prized assets Corey Seager and Julio Urias in any trade talks. Why should they when Seager is projected to be better than rookie phenom Joc Pederson. Given Pederson’s rookie of the year campaign, I would hold onto Seager at all costs. As far as flame-throwing Urias, you don’t give away an arm that has a 100 mph ball, especially since LA is lacking pitching depth.
LA boasts two young talents in their roster in Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig. Both are phenomenal players who have been slumping as of late. Both coincidentally had fast starts to their rookie seasons and both have endured rough patches. We’re past mid-way in the season and I think both could benefit from being sent down to the minors for a short stint.
I first heard about this idea from ESPN LA’s Steve Mason on his afternoon show alongside John Ireland. At first I thought it was crazy but seeing how both players have struggled, it makes sense. Now that the Dodgers have traded for another outfielder in Morse it would provide some coverage in the outfield.
The Dodgers have a crowded outfield already and have plenty of options to cover while Pederson and Puig get some extra reps in the minors. Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, Scott Van Slyke, Alex Guerrero and Kike Hernandez can handle OF duties. Chris Heisey can also be called up if need be. Morse can play in the outfield and whack some balls out of the park.
Granted, it’s not the sexiest outfield, but in a weak NL West division, LA is still talented enough to make the playoffs while their two young studs find their swing. It sounds like a crazy idea (believe me I know!) but I think it couldn’t hurt to try.
Joc Pederson started off on fire for the boys in blue. He came into the majors after posting 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the minors. He looked like he was on pace to equal those numbers in the big leagues. His impressive numbers got him named to his first (of many) All-Star game. After his HR derby performance where he crushed 39 homers in Cincinnati his production has declined.
Pederson is currently averaging 21 HR and 48 RBI while hitting .228/.352/.464/.816. Since the All-Star break, he’s hit one home run. In the last 30 games, he’s struck out 40 times bringing his tally to 122, one less than league leader Chris Davis. In that same span, he’s hitting .177. Power hitters generally punch out more because they swing at everything but Pederson just needs to show more patience at the plate.
Jul 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson (31) makes a catch past right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Puig got off to a slow start due to injury and has not recovered his swing. He came into camp reportedly over weight and may have played a factor in his mediocre season. His bad play this season has apparently made him available in the right deal. It’s amazing how quickly Puig has fallen down from grace. The enigmatic 24-year-old has been subject of many team distractions and confrontations with teammates. Some highlighted in the Molly Knight book with some clubhouse sources claiming a Puig trade would be an addition by subtraction.
Puig’s stat line this season is way off his first two seasons. He’s hitting .249/.323/.416/.739 and only 6 HR with 22 RBI. Not the kind of production we’ve come to expect from the Wild Horse. The last 7 games Puig is batting a measly .100, the last 30 games he’s batting .196 with 20 strike outs.
To say both of these players are struggling would be an understatement. I’m not advocating the Dodgers should give up on them. They have so much untapped potential and they need some help to pick up their confidence at the plate a bit. Not that they are down on themselves, but a few more reps in the minors could help them find their stroke once again.
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Both Puig and Pederson will be important for the Dodgers come playoff time. Pederson started April batting .298, after that his BA has plummeted each month .236/.222/.176. Something needs to change. Manager Don Mattingly is contemplating moving Joc down the lineup to relieve some pressure off of the 23-year-old. Puig hit .303 in June and now in July .179.
If the Dodgers can get these two back on track they could form a devastating 1-2 punch in the lineup. A minor league spell could be an option for the duo. Trading away a five-tool player like Puig is not a good idea. Despite his struggles and distractions in the clubhouse he’s still a good player. He’s made progress staying out of trouble.
Yasiel is having a bad year in 2015. I’m confident he’ll snap out it. The same goes for Pederson. He probably is a little fatigued and adjusting to an extraneous baseball season. Pederson will continue to dazzle Los Angeles for the foreseeable future. Puig will keep leaving us in awe with his rocket of an arm and his custom bat flips.
In the end, it’s sounds like a farfetched idea but it is an option.