The Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig looks to the sky after hitting a three-run home run Game 4 of the 2018 World Series against the Red Sox at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig celebrates after hitting the game-winning two-run double to defeat the Chicago White Sox 5-4 in the ninth inning of a game at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig takes a photo with a camera during batting practice before a game against the Diamondbacks on Sept. 26, 2018 in Phoenix, Ariz. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers Yasiel Puig, #66, reacts to the hit by Boston Red Sox Mitch Moreland going over the wall for a 3-run homer in the 7th inning of game four of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers Yasiel Puig, #66, reacts to his 3-run homer in game four of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers Yasiel Puig, #66, reacts to his 3-run homer in game four of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig hits an RBI single in the thirteenth inning of game three of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Friday, October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers Yasiel Puig, #66, reacts to his 3-run homer in game four of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig looks to the sky after hitting a three-run home run Game 4 of the 2018 World Series against the Red Sox at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers Yasiel Puig, #66, rounds the bases after hitting a 3-run homer in game four of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers Yasiel Puig, #66, blows a kiss to the dugout after hitting a 3-run homer in game four of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers Yasiel Puig, #66, rounds the bases after hitting a 3-run homer in game four of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Fans react to Los Angeles Dodgers Yasiel Puig, #66, as he rounds the bases after hitting a 3-run homer in game four of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy scores on a Yasiel Puig RBI single in the thirteenth inning of game three of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Friday, October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig kisses his bat before popping out in the 11th inning of game three of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Friday, October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig hits an RBI single during the fourth inning of Game 2 of the World Series baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after his fourth inning strike out against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 22: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers waves during a team workout prior to the start of Major League Baseball’s World Series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on October 22, 2018. (Staff photo by Christopher Evans, Boston Herald)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig is doused by Manny Machado as they celebrate in the clubhouse after Game 7 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig celebrates after Game 7 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Milwaukee. The Dodgers won 5-1 to advance to the World Series. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig (66) hits a three -run home run during the sixth inning of Game 7 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig (66) hits a three -run home run during the sixth inning of Game 7 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig hits a three-run home run during the sixth inning of Game 7 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
MILWAUKEE, WI – OCTOBER 20: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a three run home run against Jeremy Jeffress #32 of the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning in Game Seven of the National League Championship Series at Miller Park on October 20, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig (66) celebrates as he runs bases after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of Game 7 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig runs to second base for a double during the second inning of Game 7 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig (66) celebrates as he runs bases after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of Game 7 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig (66) celebrates as he runs bases after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of Game 7 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig celebrates with Max Muncy after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning of Game 7 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig takes batting practice before Game 6 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during a workout prior to game one of National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig (66) celebrates after hitting a double during the second inning of Game 7 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig looks back at his dugout as he hits an RBI single in the sixth inning of game five of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig hits an RBI single in the sixth inning of game five of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig takes a bow after he thought he stole third base in the eighth inning but was told to go back to second in game five of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig breaks his bat after striking out with bases loaded during the seventh inning of Game 2 of the National League Championship Series baseball game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig (66) breaks a bat after striking out during the seventh inning of Game 2 of the National League Championship Series baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig watches from the dugout during the eighth inning of game five of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig, center, runs with a football between Joc Pederson, left, and Chase Utley during practice for Game 1 of the baseball team’s NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a football around during a workout prior to game one of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The series starts in Milwaukee. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers’ first base coach George Lombard talks with Yasiel Puig after his single in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox in game five of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates as he runs home to score on a two run RBI single by teammate David Freese #25 (not pictured) during the sixth inning of Game Four of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Yasiel Puig is congratulated by Dodgers teammates after hitting a home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning at Busch Stadium on September 15, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
The DodgersÕ Yasiel Puig #66 smiles after the Dodgers beat the Rockies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. The Dodgers beat the Rockies 8-2. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig watches the flight of his second home run of the night as it clears the fence during the ninth inning of Friday’s 3-0 victory over the Cardinals in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Billy Hurst)
Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig shows his frustration as he watches from the dugout during Monday’s 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers are 3-6 (.333) in their last nine games when tied or leading in the ninth inning or later. Prior to this stretch, they were 64-9 (.877) in such games this season. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado, left, talks with outfielder Yasiel Puig during batting practice prior to Thursday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 29: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers dives into third base after hitting a triple against the Texas Rangers in the top of the seventh inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 29: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers dives into third base after hitting a triple against the Texas Rangers in the top of the seventh inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
When the Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig went to the DL with a bruised hip at the end of April, he was hitting .193 with a .500 OPS and no home runs in his first 22 games. In 36 games since returning, he has hit .297 (33 for 111) with a .980 OPS and eight home runs in his last 99 at-bats. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig warms up before the team’s baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Friday, June 1, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Los Angeles Dodgers Yasiel Puig hauls in a fly ball during the Dodgers’ 1-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants during their Opening Day matchup at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 29, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig #66 dives but can’t make the catch on a Angels’ Justin Upton #8 fly ball during their Freeway Series preseason game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Monday, Mar. 26, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig stands on first while wearing the number 42 under his eyes to commemorate Jackie Robinson day during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Sunday, April 15, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig shows his frustration after swinging and missing during the fifth inning of Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during a workout prior to game one of National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig cheers on his team in the seventh inning of a National League Championship Series baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig celebrates as he tracks the flight of his RBI double during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the NLCS on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium. Puig added a home run in the seventh inning of a 5-2 victory. (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig, middle, celebrates the Dodgers’ 5-2 win with third baseman Justin Turner, left, and first baseman Cody Bellinger after Game 1 of baseball’s National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs in Los Angeles, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig sticks out his tongue after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning of Game 1 of baseball’s National League Championship Series in Los Angeles, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Yasiel Puig practices long throws. The Dodgers will play host to the first two games of the National League Championship series agaist the Chicago Cubs. Los Angeles, CA 10/13/2017 (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Yasiel Puig. The Dodgers will play host to the first two games of the National League Championship series agaist the Chicago Cubs. Los Angeles, CA 10/13/2017 (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig celebrates in the clubhouse after game 3 of baseball’s National League Division Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Phoenix. The Dodgers swept the Diamondbacks to advance to the National League Championship Series. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig celebrates after his triple against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. ‘When he plays loose, he’s dangerous. He’s having fun out there and that’s when he focuses the best,’ teammate Kenley Jansen said. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig celebrates after his triple against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of Game 1 of a baseball National League Division Series in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig after hitting the game winning two run double to defeat the Chicago White Sox 5-4 in the ninth inning of a Major League baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig celebrates as he runs to first after hitting a two-run double during the ninth inning to give the Dodgers a 5-4 win in a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig in the second inning of a Major League baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, June 10, 2017 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig leaps to catch a fly ball at the wall by San Diego Padres’ Austin Hedges during the eighth inning of a baseball game in San Diego, Friday, May 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ORG XMIT: CAAG116
Dodger Yasiel Puig during batting practice at Dodger stadium Thursday evening. The Dodgers will face the Nationals or the Cubs in the NLCS on Saturday. ( Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig got off to a strong start this season but he has since settled into some familiar struggles at the plate. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger, background, dumps liquid on Yasiel Puig after Puig hit a walk-off two-run double in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Dodgers won 5-4. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
We all saw Yasiel Puig grew up but, fortunately, not all the way.
He threw both hands over his head when the home runs left his bat, which he had often licked into obedience. He smooched Turner Ward, his batting coach, who now awaits him in Cincinnati.
He lasted six years with the Dodgers, which was at least three more than we could have safely predicted, but on Friday he and Matt Kemp, Alex Wood and Kyle Farmer were shipped to Cincinnati. An L.A. story that began with massive fireworks now ended in the cold lettering of an e-mailed release.
Puig became a far more substantial person as the years went on, with his Wild Horse Foundation and his impressive conquest of the English language. Oddly, he was a less substantial player.
He can become a free agent after 2019 and if the Dodgers had thought he was a franchise-carrier, they would not have traded him. Nevertheless, he’s headed to a ballpark that is one big power alley. If Ward can stop him from jumping out of his shoes, he could reach all those promised glories. He only turned 28 on Dec. 7.
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The trade itself is an example of why the luxury tax functions as a very real salary cap for most teams. The Dodgers got pitcher Homer Bailey in return and immediately released him, and they got two prospects that the Reds felt comfortable surrendering.
The obvious consequence is that the Dodgers have opened salary and positional room for Bryce Harper. But the Dodgers rarely do the obvious. It’s just as possible that they are making room for Alex Verdugo in right field and will pursue Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto or Cleveland pitchers Trevor Bauer or Corey Kluber. Any of the three might be as functional for the Dodgers as Harper.
They got a nice reward from Kemp, who was probably their offensive MVP in the first two months of 2018 and kept them from inextricable burial. Now they’ve shrewdly passed him down the line, to his fourth club in five years.
They might be bitten by Wood, who went 19-3 two years ago and was brilliant in World Series Game 4 in 2017. But their trust in him was always temporary, and in the postseason Wood was a miscast reliever. His sinking stuff could serve Cincinnati well.
Puig’s place in Dodger lore goes far beyond his actual production. He was a cannonball into the National League pool when he came up in 2013.
Related: Dodgers, Reds fans react to trade of Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp to Cincinnati
He had five three-hit games in his first 21. He was batting .443 after his first 27. He had 44 hits in June, a Dodgers record. He beat out ground balls and he threw out disbelieving baserunners from deep right field. He was a shot of Red Bull for a sleepy franchise, which was 24-32 when Puig showed up and 92-70 at season’s end.
He was so good that, after only 109 games, he finished second to Jose Fernandez for NL Rookie of the Year and was voted 15th for MVP.
Inevitably, the league figured him out, and his tardiness, moodiness, recklessness on the road and general refusal to color inside the lines tended to wear out the clubhouse. Clayton Kershaw wanted him gone, and A.J. Ellis publicly critiqued him after Puig’s sloppiness was the lowlight of an elimination loss in St. Louis.
It changed because the Dodgers’ clubhouse changed, and became more welcoming. Justin Turner and others decided to include him. Dave Roberts became the manager in 2017 and was both understanding and unbending. A turning point came in July of 2016, when Puig was banished to Oklahoma City for 19 games. The Dodgers kept winning anyway. He seemed to notice.
Puig’s charisma also sprang from his past, his 13 attempted escapes from Cuba and his final, successful trip to the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. The drivers of that boat were members of a vicious drug cartel. Puig was extorted, and sued by a boxer who claimed that Puig falsely testified against him in a murder case.
The fans might have sensed that Puig’s antics were the honest expressions of his liberation, from spending life in so many invisible prisons. Mostly they just enjoyed him. Watching his at-bats was mandatory.
He hit 51 home runs in 2017-18, but the first step, the one from dugout to field, was the hardest. Puig compiled more than 500 plate appearances only twice for the Dodgers. He said he was born to play baseball, but maybe his hamstrings weren’t.
It is hoped that Cincinnati, a place where the don’t-walk sign is rigorously observed, will realize they have a right fielder who was born to be wild.
