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Yasiel Puig Placed on Waivers: Should Phillies Make a Claim?

By George Stockburger

Aug 6, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) jokes around with the Phillie Phanatic before the start of the game at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 6, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) jokes around with the Phillie Phanatic before the start of the game at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Could the Phillies claim the power-hitting corner outfielder?

A right-handed power bat has been missing from the Phillies line-up since the days of Jayson Werth. With someone able to protect Ryan Howard in the line-up, the Big Piece was able to produce more than ever.

With Werth gone, the Phillies have made several attempts to find a suitable bat in the outfield. Marlon Byrd, John Mayberry, Dominic Brown, Hunter Pence, Ben Francisco, Peter Bourjos, David Lough, and Darin Ruf are just a few of the names the Phillies trotted out to right. Most of those options blew up in the Phillies face with the exception of Pence, who was subsequently traded for next-to-nothing.

In the Phillies farm system, there are some options to play the role of a power hitting outfielder. Nick Williams would be the number one option, but his plate discipline is severely lacking.

Dylan Cozens could be a name to keep an eye on as he attempts to break Reading’s home run record.

After those two, there aren’t many options. Because of that, the Phillies could try their hand at Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Yasiel Puig.

There are pros and cons to the extreme with acquiring someone like Yasiel Puig. On the plus side, he could get a change of scenery with an organization that has embraced Latin-American players. On the field, he could bring that menacing power bat in the middle of the line-up the Phillies have been searching for.

Off the field, Puig is known to be a disturbance in the locker room. Throw in the Philadelphia fans, and it could ultimately be a disaster. The Cuban defector was also sent down to AAA this season after hitting just seven home runs and batting a mediocre .260.

Additionally, the Phillies would have to make a trade with the Dodgers, something that is very tricky to do if they win the claim for Puig. The organization is not in the position to move prospects at this stage of the game.

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However, players who could be unprotected from the 40-man roster such as Darin Ruf could come into play. Lower-level names including Carlos Tocci or Malquin Canelo could also be options given the depth at their respective positions.

It’s ultimately a pipe-dream that the Phillies make a deal for Yasiel Puig. While it could bring life to a restless fanbase, the time is not right to make that kind of move. The organization will certainly have a conversation about it, but ultimately it’s an unlikely situation.

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