Philadelphia Phillies Rumors: Yasiel Puig Not Worth the Headaches

Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers,
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

When the new manager of the Philadelphia Phillies takes control sometime during 2016 spring training, he will inherit a number of headaches, so the proposed trade of Cole Hamels for Yasiel Puig does not need to be added to an already long-enough list.

The Phillies already sent one burden, shortstop Jimmy Rollins, to the Los Angeles Dodgers and they do not need another in return. If all the Phillies can get for Hamels right now is Puig, then they should hold onto Hamels.

It is likely current manager Pete Mackanin will not return and, if the Phillies want to attract someone who knows what he is doing, they would be wise to limit the number of potential clubhouse problems. That would mean getting rid of current ones like Ryan Howard, Domonic Brown and Jonathan Papelbon. Doing that is figuring to be more problematic than anticipated because Howard and Papelbon have bloated contracts and Brown’s talent could be best described as hollow.

The Phillies already have some impressionable young talent the system, like shortstop J.P. Crawford. Already on the big-league level and similar-aged future stars include third baseman Maikel Franco and pitcher Aaron Nola. The last thing those guys need is a superstar talent with a questionable history of hustling. Puig, like current teammate Rollins, has had to been disciplined for a lack of hustle in the past and the last thing the Phillies need around young talent is a bad influence.

Puig is exactly that, and is hitting only .264 with four home runs and 19 RBIs. With that kind of current production, he is not worth the future distractions he will no doubt inflict upon the next manager.  If that’s the best the Phils can get for Hamels, they are better off keeping their best starter.

Mike Gibson is a MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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