Yasiel Puig needs to stop acting like a child and start acting like a man.
The Dodgers' outfielder, who went 3-5 with two RBI in the team's 7-5 win over the Diamondbacks on Saturday, is starting to sound like the Cuban version of Carl Pavano. Pavano, who spent 14 seasons in the Major Leagues from 1998-2012, was known for complaining about injuries whenever possible. It became such a problem that former Yankees' pitcher Mike Mussina referred to the 15-day DL as the “15-day Pavano.”
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“Shoulder yesterday, back today, so I’m not sure if they’re going to get him tests or get him to the MRI Monday or a bone scan on Tuesday, maybe,” Mattingly said about Puig. “I’m not quite sure what we’ll do. We may not do anything. I’m not sure.”
Puig, who hit .319 in 104 games for the Dodgers in 2013, had been a disciplinary problem for the team. Manager Don Mattingly had to bench Puig multiple times in 2013 for insubordination and failing to listen to the coaches.
"Leave it to me, it'd be one way, but that's not necessarily the way the organization wants things to go," Mattingly said at his year end news conference in 2013. "I just think there has to be a development system that we adhere to with Yasiel, along with all the other guys."
Puig also came into Spring Training some 26 pounds over weight. Mattingly said the team wasn't concerned, but it “is something we'll keep an eye on.” In Spring Training, Puig is hitting .122 and quite frankly his floundering in the field is a cause for concern.
Mattingly is a calm-tempered person. It takes a lot to get the former Yankees' all-star angry. Anyone watching him speak to the media on Saturday could plainly see how frustrated the Dodgers' manager was. Puig is a great talent and has the potential to do great things in baseball. However talent and potential mean nothing unless they produce results.
Playing in the Major Leagues is a gift, not a right. Mattingly and the Dodgers' organization would be more likely to deal with Puig if we were hitting well (like his .517 average during the 2013 Spring Training season). But hitting .122 with an attitude that says “I own the world” is not going to cut it. Puig needs to learn that he is not the greatest thing since sliced bread. His greatness will only be sustained by his results on the field. If Puig isn't hitting, then he won't be playing. Matt Kemp is coming back this season and the Dodgers have a lot of major league ready players in the minors. If Puig isn't ready (or just doesn't care) to play, then there will be a replacement ready at the call.
Don't get me wrong though. I believe Puig has great potential. In fact, he's ranked as my fifth best fantasy player under the age of 25. But that list is based on potential. Puig has the potential to be a superstar like Don Mattingly was or a dud like Carl Pavano was. The choice (and amount of work ethic put in) is in his hands alone.
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