9:40pm: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports (via Twitter) that the White Sox attempted to claim Puig, but he did not make it to them on waivers. That would indicate that either a National League team or one of the few American League teams with a worse record than the ChiSox won the claim. Factoring in previous reports that the Marlins and Braves didn’t make the claim, the team that claimed Puig is one of the Angels, Athletics, Rays, Twins, Cubs, Nationals, Dodgers, Giants, Cardinals, Pirates, Mets, Rockies, Phillies, Brewers, Reds, Padres or D-backs. While that’s clearly an enormous slate of teams, Nightengale’s report does at least eliminate roughly a third of the teams in baseball as a possibility.
4:47pm: Neither the Braves nor the Marlins made the claim, per David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter) and Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (via Twitter).
4:05pm: Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig has been claimed on revocable waivers, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag reports on Twitter. It is not yet clear what organization placed the winning waiver claim — National League clubs would have priority, by inverse order of record — or whether there is any serious possibility of a transaction being worked out.
Los Angeles can, of course, simply allow the claiming team to assume Puig’s contract. Despite his struggles of late, however, it’s hard to imagine that taking place — particularly since the remaining amounts he is guaranteed ($6.5MM in 2017 and $7.5MM in 2018) represent a relative drop in the bucket for the Dodgers.
If anything, L.A. has proven more willing to spend top dollar on risky talent than have other organizations. Though the team’s up-and-down ride with Puig may have impacted its stance on the enigmatic Cuban star, he has done things at the major league level that most players can only dream of.
Puig was one of the best players in baseball in 2013 and 2014, and entered his age-24 campaign like one of the most valuable assets in the game. But he wasn’t quite up to his usual standard in 2015 and fell off even further this year. Since the start of 2016, he has accumulated 303 plate appearances of .260/.320/.386 hitting, thus earning a demotion to Triple-A.
Still, the talented 25-year-old retains plenty of appeal and looks like an intriguing upside play, especially since he is raking and drawing good marks for his clubhouse presence at the highest level of the minors. That he was claimed proves that other organizations aren’t afraid to roll the dice, but the Dodgers won’t likely give those rights away freely. We’ve heard suggestions that the team may yet call him back in September, or otherwise delay trade talks until the offseason, and there’s no indication as yet that a late-breaking August trade is particularly likely.
GiantsFan81
Puig and Tebow going to Japan.
bbgods
Do Dodgers dare just let him go to claiming team and get rid of the headache?
jrwhite21
Never. Too much talent to give up without a sizable return – even with the attitude issues
baumer16
Sizable? What’s your definition of sizable?
JaysFan19
He’s really not worth much
Rbase
With they way they are treating him currently and their media statements, I wouldn’t be surprised if they just let him go.
jdsocal
Damned if they do, damned if they don’t.
ottomatic
Nah. Too cheap of a contract considering his talent
BravesNomad
Braves had first shot at him and a direct report from Kemp. He would be an upgrade over Nick in RF.
seamaholic 2
Yep. This is the Braves or I eat my hat. OK, not really, but it makes way too much sense.
vtadave
Time to eat your hat
dhud
Pics please
BigGiantHead
Is your hat chocolate????
JaysFan19
True but the best thing for the braves is to trend down at this point anyway. No reason upgrading now 😉
disgruntledreader 2
He would be an upgrade over Matt in LF.
If they plugged him in as the #3 starter, he’d be an upgrade there too!
24TheKid
While I don’t believe it is Seattle, I have heard from many unofficial sources that it is Seattle.
Fuss
so, you think he went unclaimed in the NL, and most of the AL to land to Seattle? Your unofficial sources must be your hopes and dreams
redking
The White Sox would have been before Seattle.
seamaholic 2
No way. He’d have to get through all the NL and more than half the AL to get to Seattle. I’d be shocked.
24TheKid
That’s why I don’t believe it, it’s sad how many M’s fans do believe we got him.
start_wearing_purple
Funny, I heard from an unofficial source that he was going to Seattle. Of course you are my unofficial source.
whereslou
Can you be my unofficial unofficial source? Because I would love Seattle to take a flyer on him. But no way does he make it that far. We have some talent in the OF but it is a few years off and he would fill in nicely. If Jr couldn’t sit him down and straighten him out as well as Edgar not sure who could.
AngelDiceClay2
Your sources must go by the names of Moe, Larry and Curly. You and your sources need to go do your math. The White Sox record is worse than the Mariners.could not have claimed him.
puigpower
From all the players that get claimed on revocable waivers I don’t consider this newsworthy
Thronson5
I have a feeling more than one team put a claim on him. I could see the Braves, Brewers and Mariners all putting a claim on him. I keep hearing the Dodgers are trying to get Braun for a trade so I wouldn’t be surprised if Puig went to the Brewers in a package for Braun. Not straight up obviously but I seriously see that happening. If they are the team that claimed him of course. We will see.
How long do the Dodgers have to work a trade out with the claiming team or either just let him go pull him back?
BravesNomad
The first claiming team with the lowest winning percentage from the NL would have the right to negotiate first. Atlanta has the worst overall record and thus would be first in line. Doubt Puig even made it to the AL teams to be claimed. If I’m not mistaken the two teams have 48 1/2 hours to work out a trade agreement, if nothing is reached then LAD can pull him back with no problem. However if they were to place him on waivers again and he was claimed they would HAVE to work something out.
Thronson5
Ok, thank you for the response. I wasn’t exactly sure how that worked.
seamaholic 2
Doesn’t matter how many teams put claims in. The one with the highest priority gets the claim and can negotiate with the Dodgers. The rest are irrelevant.
Thronson5
Yea I know that.
slider32
Seems like Puig at 25 would be a good gamble for any team, he has a lot of talent.
TheNotoriousOne
I think Cleveland claimed him. Tbh Cleveland needs a bat and if some miracle happens and Puig does good, that’s great too.
Fuss
ATTENTION FOLKS
For Puig to have landed to an AL team, he would’ve had to have been passed by every NL team, and every team who has a worse record in the AL than your team you’re secretly masturbating to the thought of it happening for FYI
Gogerty
Graphic
whereslou
We don’t need to know about your habits while waiting to hear about your teams moves thank you.
brat922
Seriously?
AtlPlayaPlaying
Can’t wait to hear the real reasons behind the Puig saga. Just think there’s a lot we’re not privy to here. Pretty sure that “attitude” is a euphemism for something more serious. Like in the College Football world, “violation of team rules” means “failed drug test”. No idea what this one is yet (maybe the same if all I know) but it is most definitely something…
Deke
I think you’re right but do you think we would ever really find out though?
disgruntledreader 2
Fun pair of facts.
The Padres currently are third on the waiver wire priority list.
The Padres currently employ Logan White, who was the one the industry lambasted for signing Puig in the first place.
bleacherbum
Correct.
I think it was the Padres as well for all those reasons, maybe then send LA Jon Jay & either cash or a mid-level prospect or two. I don’t see San Diego giving up any top prospects for him just because they are in rebuild mode & it would make sense to stall what you have already started by moving pieces already.
Cam
Not sure why the Dodgers would want Jon Jay?
redking
If they first negotiated a long term deal with him.
Cam
Not sure why they’d want him long term either. We are talking about the same Jon Jay right? He’s a mediocre bounce back guy in this market – not someone to lock up long term.
JFactor
Nice
TenaciousD
Let’s go Angels
Philliesfan4life
It would be crazy if it was the angels who claimed him
BoldyMinnesota
She could realistically be claimed by anyone since he would be an upgrade anywhere. I think his personality issue is a bit overblown, and the false domestic violence allegation against him didn’t help. Sure he’s streaky, but there’s currently a lot of streaky players in the league who are not nearly as good as puig, or at least with his upside
Philliesfan4life
How crazy would it be if it was the angels who claimed puig
ray_derek
Crazy, because every NL team would have passed on him
Philliesfan4life
I thought it goes by the teams with the worst records get the first bids on the player who goes through waivers?
angelsfan1391
Yes but since it was an NL team that put him on waivers every NL team has priority over the AL
angelsfan1391
Also the last thing we need is another Jose guillen haha
Philliesfan4life
I think the angels could make some sense for Puig, we do need a left fielder but hopefully he is a changed man.
JFactor
ARZ, SDP? MIL?
I can’t see a deal getting done to be honest. Dodgers want the best possible deal to remove him. He has too much potential
willi
Phils grah him , make him a superstar !
Jayphils
Like to see the phils, have some OF depth but Herrera is not a CF and Altherr is so there maybe a need to a corner outfield even with Williams coming up, no superstars there, Puig has that potential
BigGiantHead
The Pirates will enjoy having him.
bleacherbum
The Padres could sell high on Schimpf, he would bring a little more pop to the Dodgers lineup & be a better alternative than Utley. Throw in Jon Jay who will be ready to play in a few weeks and that might be enough to get a deal done for Puig.
Flatline
Why would they do that? Jon Jay is more than likely gone after this year, but Schimpf has loads of control and they would give that up for two years of the Puig Show? They are more than two years away from contending…I dont see them getting him unless the Dodgers “give him away”.
rayanselmo
As a Giants fan, I’d love for SF to take a flyer on him. All the talent in the world – just needs a steady, non-judgmental hand to guide him. He’d thrive under Bochy.
Deke
I have an immense dislike for Puig and his antics but I’m with you @rayanselmo. Under a strong, veteran manager like Bochy, a good front office and with the SF clubhouse he would be playing on a team with good veteran leaders (better chemistry). I’d take the risk on him but there’s no way The Dodgers let him go to SF, too much risk he will be energized to get his crap together just to stick it to them. Dodgers really need to get him out of their market because I think he will eventually turn it around.
brat922
Yeah, sigh. I can’t see them letting rival have him. We can hope though!
Rickey O'Sunnyvale
Send him to the Giants and put his locker next to MadBum. Fun times.
radioball123
Nope.
brat922
I am all for it. Totally different atmosphere he can thrive and rebuild in. #hummbaby
radioball123
I say the Reds claimed him.
BoldyMinnesota
Apparently Boston claimed him, please pull him back LA as a jay fan lol
Matt Galvin
For Bucholtz and other Bad Contracts.
Deke
@JFinasty – Where did you find that out from? Seems weird that 20 something teams with a worse record than Boston would not have claimed him first? I would think the Yankees would have claimed him before Boston just to block Boston getting him.
BoldyMinnesota
Some verified person on Twitter said it, I forget who it was though
Mark 21
I am surprised any of the other 29 teams period claimed him. Why would the Yankee’s claim this clown? You dont claim a idiot like him to block him from going to another team. He will only tear the chemistry of the other team apart so OK by me. Also why do people not realize the Yankee’s already have a surplus of out fielders on the 40 man roster and will lose more this winter in the rule 5. No need to give up a valuable roster spot to a cancerous player like him.
em650r
Clown?
He’s in better shape then you Mark
davbee
Arizona or Milwaukee.
west11
Really what did he do ? Just attitude is all you really hear about but there most be more right ?
Deke
@west11 – I’m sure we will never find out the full story until after maybe he’s traded, the sordid truth will only affect his trade value right now.
As much as I can tell it’s all attitude and clubhouse chemistry. He’s tearing up the PCL and yet reports are that LA *still* won’t bring him up even with Sept call ups. My guess is that he’s a toxic clubhouse presence.
Last year I saw him constantly make bonehead mistakes in the field or on the bases, really simple stuff that college kids wouldn’t make but he appears to have a sense of entitlement to go with him knowing that he has huge potential but too stupid to realize that in MLB you can’t get by with pure talent alone, you have to put in the work and have real baseball acumen.
rycm131
Padres
JKurk22
You couldn’t pay me to claim him much less dream of giving ANYTHING up for him. Not worth it. He’s a little b.
Donnie B
The Phillies have the means to actually make a trade happen. Not sure the other clubs that low in order have the pieces to make it work.
Marlins & Braves both confirmed its not them.
Phillies need offense.and Nick Williams not proving he’s the answer yet. – May even be in the deal…
petfoodfella
I’m not sure how Atlanta justifies not grabbing him. It’s not like he can make the MLB team worse. The popularity alone would be enough for the final season at Turner.
Cam
Definitely stumped as to why they didn’t make a claim.
southi
Perhaps Atlanta knows more than we do. Perhaps they decided Puig is too much a cancer in their opinion to add to the organization and risk toxifying any young impressionable players.
I’m quite each team weighed the potential benefits and costs. The Braves felt the costs outweighed the benefits.
Gogerty
Would only think that Coppy has something else going on to worry about claiming Puig. When is Mallex back? Maybe Markakis is on way out.
RunDMC
Let’s see, Olivera received a $30M bonus from LAD then a year later was traded and never saw the field from them. Many questioned at the time the motivation for paying a $30M signing bonus for a player that was gone a year later. Fast forward until now, and he’s not on a MLB roster for off-the-field issues. Now, granted Puig is much more talented and younger than Olivera and doesn’t have the same off=the-field issues (i.e. domestic assault charge) that Olivera has, but Puig could be considered a wild-card any team’s clubhouse, and that’s a red flag. At least so much so that LAD are willing to let him go. That being said, I’d think ATL learned their lesson with Olivera. Clubhouse chemistry is one of the most important and sacred elements to some teams.
BlueSkyLA
It’s unclear why we hear so often that Puig is a “clubhouse problem” when the evidence for it is slim to none. This story persists even though we do know he’s got an on-field problem, his sometimes boneheaded play leading to fundamental mistakes. It has also been implied that his recent hamstring injuries are related to conditioning issues. So work ethic and focus, yes. The other stuff, probably not.
disgruntledreader 2
The on-field stuff that’s annoying to fans can be even more annoying to those who share a clubhouse with him…
BlueSkyLA
Granted. But the narrative surrounding Puig is he’s a bad apple sort of player whose very presence poisons the clubhouse atmosphere. Probably that isn’t really the case. Quite a few players have taken him on as a mentor over the years to help him grow up with the game and into his natural talent. I am sure it frustrates those players as much as management that he hasn’t fully responded, but that doesn’t make him the clubhouse wrecker many seem to think he must be.
Djones246890
Because he and Kemp absolutely despise each other. That’s why.
Brilliant1
I hope the Tigers are the claiming team
mkeving
Hoping it’s the Brewers and Dodgers can work a trade for Braun.
darenh
There’s some logic to this:
1. LAD not on Braun’s no-trade
2. Puig’s contract matched up nicely
3. Brewers buy low on someone, fits Stearns’ MO
4. Dodgers get a huge, clutch bat for a September run
Hmm.
notagain27
Dodgers team President has said Puig has done everything they asked. (I guess they asked him to video half the team drinking in a bar?) Sounds like he will be a playing in Chavez Ravine very soon.
Priggs89
Well that’s an unfortunate update.
pseudostats
One of seventeen teams has put a claim in. That’s a ton of teams.
grantr
I think we can safely eliminate the Dodgers from their list of 17 teams.
pseudostats
Good point!
triberulz
My hunch is Milwaukee. Garza/Braun/ 2 prospects (PTBNL & Cash) for Puig. Brewers desperately would want to move Braun & Garza’s contracts & take a gamble on Puig.
baumer16
The Brewers have already said they want legit prospects for Braun. He would not be a salary dump so unless the dodgers are including some additional good prospects and using Puig to offset some of the money I doubt it’s the Brewers
Thronson5
I actually really think that’s a possibility. I keep saying I think Puig is going to the Brewers with a package of minor leaguers for Braun.
baumer16
Mmmm I have a hard time believing it’s the Brewers. They are going to be a team with a lot of young guys next year on the roster. Is Puig really a guy you want mentoring them or being around them at all?
Thronson5
Why is that in every sports website or app or even on every sports page on social media everyone loves to try to correct you? It didn’t happen to me in this comment but I always see it and wonder what makes everyone an expert? Lol
d Langen
It’s the cards for Holliday
jamnboom
God, you East coast sports “fans” are ignorant. Just claiming him doesn’t mean you get him, even if you’re the one with the worst record. The Dodgers can pull him off waivers with no recourse. They can negotiate with the team with the worst record that won the waiver. or they can just let him go, which they won’t, morons, as they know he has trade value.
jamnboom
You can’t just “grab” him, idiots. The Dodgers have all the power here. They can pull him from waivers and he is back on their team in triple A. If they want, they can negotiate with the team that won the waiver contest (worst record NL team). They are not going to just let him go, as is evident by all the interest this guy has. They KNOW what this guy can do.
Gogerty
How do waivers work again?
jamnboom
A team can put anyone on waivers and some teams put everyone on waivers. It’s just a gauge of the interest. If the player clears waivers (no takers) the team can trade him. If the player is claimed, the team has several options: pull him off waivers as if nothing had happened, make a trade with the team that claimed him or just let him go to the team that claimed him and they will have to pay the remainder of his salary.
aff10
95 % of the people on this board are aware of at least the general idea of revocable waivers, so you can do without the condescension. Judging by this comment and your response to the comment below though, I think you need some work on detecting sarcasm as well
aff10
Well played Gogerty. Every few articles you have some sort of subtle yet funny quip. Makes these boards slightly more interesting
defense_matters
Nationals phillies and reds are my guesses
TrumpisMyGawd
” the team that claimed Puig is one of the Angels, Athletics, Rays, Twins, Cubs, Nationals, Dodgers, Giants, Cardinals, Pirates, Mets, Rockies, Phillies, Brewers, Reds, Padres or D-backs.”
So the Dodgers put him on waivers and then claim him? How cunning!!
jamnboom
They didn’t put a claim in- they don’t need to. They can pull him off waivers and keep him if they want and don’t owe anybody anything.
yourfacedude
That’s the joke…
roadapple
Junior Felix 2.0.
Jackson25
Yankees???