The LA Dodgers reportedly placed Yasiel Puig on revocable waivers last week and while a trade could have happened, Los Angeles pulled back the outfielder after a team claimed him and now he cannot be traded for the rest of the season and this comes as the team has promoted Jose Peraza after the injury to Howie Kendrick
Puig is not having a great season and earlier in the summer there were reports that the team would be "open" to trade offers. The Dodgers did not come close to making a deal and according to Jayson Stark at ESPN, the Dodgers put Puig on waivers, but opted to pull him back after he was claimed by another team. By being placed on waivers and taken back, Puig now will not be traded this season and the deadline for waiver deals is on August 31.
The Dodgers know that Puig has potential, but he has some maturity issues and he is hitting just .246 this season with nine home runs and 34 RBI. Puig is just 24 and is on a very cheap deal based on his talents, as he is making $6 million this season and is only getting paid $24 million more with team control on his deal into 2018 season. Puig has speed and is an exciting player and last season he showed his potential, hitting .296 with 16 home runs and 69 RBI in 148 games. Puig busted onto the scene as a rookie and hit near .320 in 104 games for the Dodgers in 2013 and hit 19 home runs.
Puig has talent and while he can be an issue in the clubhouse, the team likely realizes his potential and value are far too great to trade unless the deal is a blockbuster. The team has Howie Kendrick dealing with an injury and now the Dodgers have promoted Jose Peraza, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. Peraza was acquired in the trade at the deadline that included the Braves and Marlins and he was one of the better prospects that was moved in the deal.
Peraza is just 21 and he comes in hitting .302 in his time in Triple-A and he will play second base for the Dodgers. The team could look at Chase Utley, as he was placed on waivers and cleared and now could be traded by the Phillies. The Dodgers got a nice piece in Peraza and he is ranked in the top 30 among prospects on MLB.com and now he is getting a chance with Kendrick out. The Dodgers could look at making a move on Utley if the injury to Kendrick is serious. Kendrick is on the DL with a hamstring issue and Don Mattingly said he could miss "significant time."
Check here for more on the Dodgers and Puig and more on Peraza.
