The job is his if he wants it. But Yasiel Puig has to show that he wants it by doing what his bosses ask.
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ESPN.com reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers are making a move they hope solidifies their center field position by moving young Puig there for Friday night's game against the San Francisco Giants.
The move also could lead to the departure of Matt Kemp, who has openly lobbied to return to center field.
"We feel, with our combination of guys, this may be our best chance in center field," Mattingly said, according to ESPN. "It could be a day, it could be a week, it could be forever -- or as long as he plays. We don't really know, but we know he's physically capable of handling the spot."
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According to ESPN, Mattingly had said just days earlier that he was hesitant in putting the wild Puig in center field because he plays "out of control most of the time" and "he scares the other outfielders."
But after realizing that Puig gives them their most athletic center fielder of the group of outfielders on the Dodgers roster, Mattingly and the coaching staff met with Puig earlier on Friday and told him of the move - stressing the need for him to communicate with the other outfielders.
Ironically, Mattingly said he came up with the idea of Puig in center field when Kemp looked comfortable playing right field.
Also earlier Friday, Kemp's agent, Dave Stewart, told CBSSports.com about an increased desire to leave LA.
"Eight years is a long time to be in one place," Dave Stewart, the former star pitcher, said by phone. "Sometimes change is good. This might be the time to change."
The Dodgers still owe Kemp $117 million through 2019. He is batting .274 with eight home runs, but he has lifted his average since the early part of the season. Stewart told CBSSports.com that Kemp still needs another year to become completely healthy, which involves a risk on the team that ends up trading for him.
The Dodgers hope they don't have to trade positions in the outfield again if Puig can take over the center-field job.
Do you think Yasiel Puig will be the Dodgers' center fielder of the future? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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