Yasiel Puig may be ready to take his game to a new level in 2019.
Puig was traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Cincinnati Reds in a multi-player trade in December and is now settling in with his new team. Puig will be an unrestricted free agent after the season and is working towards cashing in.
In comments to Cincinnati.com, Puig said he did not work too hard the last few years with the Dodgers, but things are different now that he’s in a contract year.
“The last couple of years, I didn’t work hard because I still have a contract to go,” Puig said. “Now, I think work harder than any year of my life.”
Not only will those comments be disappointing to Dodgers fans and their front office, but they should also serve as a “buyer beware” warning to potential suitors. If Puig admits he works harder when motivated by money, the team that signs him has to be concerned about him not working as hard once he’s got his deal.
A fan-favorite in LA, Puig is a career .279 hitter with an .831 OPS.
