Yasiel Puig (Associated Press file)
Spotlight on… Yasiel Puig, OF, Dodgers
What’s up: Fame is fickle and fleeting, especially in Los Angeles. Puig, who escaped Cuba to become an instant celebrity wearing Dodger Blue, was one of baseball’s best players in the first half of the season. Now, as the Dodgers attempt to fend off the Giants for the National League West title, Puig is mired in a horrendous slump. Manager Don Mattingly is sticking with Puig, but it’s getting tough to justify not benching him.
Background: Puig hit .398 with eight home runs in May. He started in the All-Star Game, though he struck out in the Home Run Derby. Everything Puig’s done has been under a spotlight. And now that spotlight is white hot as his slump deepens. He hit .216 in August and is hitting .172 in September. He entered Saturday night’s game against the Giants without a home run in 126 at-bats.
Saunders’ take: Mattingly, who’s had his own battles with the mercurial Puig, has stood by him through the slump. He’s tried hitting Puig from the leadoff spot, from the sixth spot and from the seventh spot. “At the end of the day, we know we need him,” Mattingly told reporters last week. “We know we’re going to need this guy to get going. And when he’s going good, we’re a better team. It’s time. We’re at that point where it’s just time for him to get it rolling.” But you have to wonder how long Mattingly can wait to make a move. The Dodgers have a $239 million payroll, and they are paying $15.5 million to Andre Ethier to have him sit on the bench. Ethier is not the player he used to be, and he might not even make the playoff roster, but Puig needs a few games out of the spotlight.
Tags: Dodgers, MLB, Yasiel Puig
