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The Los Angeles Dodgers went 92-70 and won the National League West in 2015 before another disappointing early playoff exit that led to Dave Roberts replacing Don Mattingly as manager. But last season was clearly a lost one from the start for outfielder Yasiel Puig, with recurring hamstring issues limiting him to 79 games with a .255/.322/.436 slash-line, 11 home runs and 38 RBIs.
Dodgers president Andrew Friedman suggested to Puig that he lose some weight this offseason and trade speculation has surfaced throughout. Most recently, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the Dodgers are telling teams that Puig is not available for a trade right now, and the Cuban outfielder suggested at the end of January he weighs 240 pounds after being listed at 255 pounds last season.
Puig burst onto the season in 2013, hitting .319 with 19 home runs, 42 RBIs, 11 stolen bases over 382 at-bats, and even with big expectations his 2014 full-season follow-up was solid (.296, 16 home runs, 69 RBIs, 11 stolen bases and 37 doubles). Another step looked possible in 2015, with a 20-20 season a reasonable projection, but Puig’s hamstring problems and strained relationship with Mattingly took those hopes off the rails.
Roberts has reportedly had a sit-down meeting with Puig, which included telling him to be himself and an offer of a clean slate with a new coaching staff in place. Having more support in the dugout can only help, but it’s clearly on Puig to do what is necessary to be better in all areas of being a major leaguer.
The Dodgers still have a very crowded outfield, with Joc Pederson, Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford and Scott Van Slyke all remaining in the mix for at-bats. A trade before Opening Day would open things up a bit, with Ethier’s name the most recent to surface through the rumor mill. But Puig (assuming of course that he is not dealt himself) should be the Dodgers’ right fielder for 150-160 games (health permitting) during the upcoming season, with the other players I’ve mentioned fighting for what remains across the outfield.
Puig’s availability, and hopefully high level of production in line with having 500-600 at-bats, is crucial for the Dodgers in 2016. They can probably win their division again without Puig making a major contribution, but any hope for a longer postseason run rests on the shoulders of a still very promising 25-year-old outfielder.
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