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We have finally found a way to quiet Yasiel Puig trade rumors for the immediate future at least. Puig was placed on waivers by the Dodgers last week, per Jayson Stark of ESPN, but was claimed then pulled back. This means that Puig cannot be traded for the rest of the season.
This is also a time to remind people that almost literally every player in baseball - the ones on the 40-man roster, at least - are placed on revocable waivers at some point in August. Scores and scores of then are claimed and pulled back, like Puig, and cannot be traded until after the season.
Some, like Chase Utley of the Phillies, cleared waivers, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, and can be traded.
It is obvious that there is tremendous interest in Puig, even at his absolute worst is still an above average major league player under a very team-friendly contract. Puig is set to earn $19.5 million over the next three years, and won't be a free agent until after the 2019 season.
Puig has the ability to opt into salary arbitration when eligible, after the 2016 season, if he feels he can do better than the $6.5 million in 2017 and $7.5 million due in 2018.
Puig, 24, is hitting .241/.314/.409 with eight home runs, 11 doubles and 29 RBI this season in 65 games. Since the All-Star break he is hitting .197/.247/.366 and has been sat at least once in five of the Dodgers' last six series.