Los Angeles Dodgers: Yasiel Puig should be traded, not Alex Verdugo
By Jason Reed
Chances are that the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to trade an outfielder this winter. If so, the team should opt to trade Yasiel Puig over Alex Verdugo.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are going to be active this winter, that is without question. After falling short in the World Series in two consecutive years, the front office is going to be persistent in plugging the roster’s current holes to finally get over that hump.
With the MLB Winter Meetings officially starting today (Dec. 9) you can be assured that you are going to be hearing some sort of news around the Dodgers. Heck, by the time this article reaches you, the Dodgers might have already made some massive moves.
No matter what direction the team goes this winter one thing is for certain: there is going to be at least one, if not more, outfielders dealt.
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The Dodgers currently have a deep outfield reserve and are even in the mix for Bryce Harper. Throw in the team’s potential needs at catcher and second base as well as the front office’s desire to add another elite arm and it is safe to say that a trade is inevitable.
Matt Kemp has his reasons to be dealt (salary) and I could even see Joc Pederson traded if the price is right. The two outfielders with the most likely chance of being traded, though, is Alex Verdugo and Yasiel Puig.
When it is all said and done, Puig should be traded before Verdugo. While I wouldn’t mind if neither got dealt, it has to be Puig over Verdugo.
Verdugo is an intriguing trade piece as he is the Dodgers’ top prospect and is one of the best outfield prospects in the MLB. He is undoubtedly big league ready but if the other deals are not made, won’t have a spot to play.
Puig, on the other hand, is in his final year of arbitration and is going to be a free agent next winter. Reports of Puig getting frustrated with the Dodgers about not getting ample playing time against southpaws has made Puig willing to get traded.
That is not why Puig has been in the Los Angeles Dodgers rumors, however. Instead, Puig has been shopped as an established big league outfielder that can be part of a package for an elite pitcher from Cleveland, whether it is Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer.
To be fair, I am not sure it is worth trading Puig if the Dodgers get anything less than a very noticeable upgrade. I would rather work out his frustrations and keep him on the roster than deal him for nothing.
However, if it ultimately came down to it, Puig has to be the one to go, not Verdugo.
Puig definitely is an all-star caliber player and has been a big component in the Dodgers’ six-year playoff run. Right now, he is probably a better all-around player than Verdugo.
Verdugo does have five-tool potential like Puig though and provides a long-term option, whereas the chances of Puig being a Dodger past 2019 is slim to none. Trading Puig also opens the door in right field for Bryce Harper while Verdugo can play center or left field without any problems.
Next. Three trades to set up Bryce Harper. dark
I love Yasiel Puig, he has been one of the fundamental pillars of this Los Angeles Dodgers run. However, it might be time to turn the page to Alex Verdugo and potentially even Yasiel Puig.