If Dodgers fans are still wondering what the team intends to do with enigmatic outfield Yasiel Puig, he voiced his opinion rather publicly.
Either that, or this is the way the Dodgers are letting people know that Puig won't be involved in a trade.
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A billboard in West Hollywood shows Puig in a Fedora-style hat with an unzipped Dodgers jacket on with the caption, "I'm here to stay ‑- Yasiel Puig," according to a tweet that Terez Owens posted on its site.
Yasiel Puig billboard in West Hollywood "I'm here to stay" in Dodgers jacket #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/WC5nI2bjbc— Liz Habib (@LizHabib) December 9, 2015
Puig, who burst onto the scene in 2013 and helped the Dodgers salvage what was a losing season before his arrival as a rookie and turn them into NL West champions, seemingly has worn out his welcome in Los Angeles.
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"By now it is no secret the disdain Yasiel Puig is held in by most in the Dodgers clubhouse," The Los Angeles Times wrote. "His inconsistent work habits, his tardiness, his constant need to be the center of attention, and now, his mediocre offensive output, have all left teammates tired of the Yasiel Puig Show.
"The Dodgers still have too many outfielders, and if Puig's trade value is not what it once was, he is still viewed as a five-tool talent who could yet mature and develop into one of baseball's best overall players. And he's only owed $24.6 million over the next three years.
"Teams are not in the habit of trading players in their prime who are locked into a very reasonable contract. You're supposed to build around players like that, not deal them.
"And the truth is, as currently constructed, the Dodgers need him. Or at least need the version of Puig they saw the first year and half he was up in the majors."
Puig hit 19 home runs in 104 games his rookie season, but those numbers whittled down to 16 in 2014 and 11 this past season as injuries and, apparently, his idiosyncrasies, have hampered his play.
The Dodgers, however, may need to use Puig to strike a deal to salvage an offseason that has included ace Zack Greinke signing with the rival Diamondbacks and having a trade for Aroldis Chapman suspended as Major League Baseball looks into an alleged domestic violence situation.
Unless Puig has shown an image makeover with the Dodgers in the last two months, his billboard may be a lie; he many not be in Los Angeles to stay.
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