Dodgers rumors: A Yasiel Puig for Corey Kluber trade is extremely smart

The latest Los Angeles Dodgers rumors have Yasiel Puig on the trade block once again. However, this time, it seems like Puig could actually finally be dealt.

Yasiel Puig has been involved in so many Los Angeles Dodgers rumors that it is hard to count. Every year, there is at least one report that indicates that the front office is going to be moving on from Puig.

Despite becoming a fan-favorite and having a great season in 2018, this is also a sign that the front office might not be interested in keeping Puig around long-term. Puig will be a free agent for the first time in his career following the 2019 season.

If the Dodgers really are not interested in extending Puig, it makes sense why the front office would want to trade him.

Personally, I do not think that Puig should be traded and he should be one of the last options to trade — with one exception. That exception is for an elite starting pitcher, such as Corey Kluber, who has entered the recent Dodgers rumors.

This is a deal that is worth making for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Obviously, it would not be a one-for-one flip, but adding Puig would significantly lessen the number of prospects that the Dodgers would need to send.

The Indians need viable outfield options and Puig is one of the most underrated outfielders in the game. He will be 28 in December, has all-star potential and is someone that the Indians can extend past this season for another four or five years.

That does not mean that the Dodgers can get away with no prospects. I still think the team would have to send elite starting pitching prospect Dustin May, elite catching prospect Will Smith and big-league ready mid-tier prospect, Edwin Rios.

That package is doable for the Dodgers, who would have a stacked rotation with Kluber, have Keibert Ruiz as a better option than Smith and don’t have a spot for Rios.

This is great too because it allows the Dodgers to avoid trading Alex Verdugo. By trading Puig, this opens up a spot for Verdugo to be a near-everyday player atop the Dodgers order to show what he really has.

Not only that, but it also opens up another door for Cody Bellinger to become a near full-time outfielder, allowing Max Muncy to play first and the team could pursue a second baseman.

Kluber might not even be the only guy in the deal that the Indians send as the Dodgers should also be interested in catcher Yan Gomes. Gomes is no J.T. Realmuto but would be more than good enough to serve a quality platoon alongside Austin Barnes.

Everything about this makes sense, even if it hurts my Dodger heart to see Yasiel Puig wearing a different uniform in 2019. However, it is bound to happen eventually, so might as well create the best starting rotation in baseball by dealing Puig.