February 20th, 2019 at 6:30 am 
by Ron Cervenka Never before has there been a more polarizing figure in the game of baseball (except perhaps Barry Bonds). As a Dodger fan, you either really really loved him or you really really hated him.
But after his interview with Cincinnati.com on Monday, there is an exceptionally good chance that if you were among the former, you may now be among the latter.
Here’s what the eccentric 28-year-old former Dodger told Cincinnati.com’s John Fay about his old team, his new team, and his potential future team when he becomes a free agent after the 2019 season:
“That’s going to help me out to have a new life in a different city. Now, I need to go over there and have fun and try to have my best season ever. Next year, a new contract. I don’t know where I’m going to be. I’m going to be the best I can.
“If I can sign here, you say? I don’t know. You been asking the GM if he wants to sign me? If he gives me the money I want, I’m going to be here all the years he wants. I love Ohio. This is my color. I love red.
“The last couple of years, I didn’t work hard because I still have a contract to go. Now, I think work harder than any year of my life.”
Money talks and … well, you know.
Thanks a lot, Manny and Bryce.
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It very much sounds like Puig being Puig. It really doesn’t change my thinking of him.
Just curious, what is your thinking about Puig?
I don’t know if I mentioned this before but looking at him perform, in many ways he reminded me of Jackie Robinson. I mean in looks, not in results, if you get what I mean.
Unlike what I’ve heard, I also enjoyed his personality, I think he was fun to watch.
He reminded me of Bo Jackson when I first saw him play; the strength, power, speed, and athletic ability were so similar. But over time I saw a man wasting God given talent who selfishly wanted to play the game his way even if it was not in the best interests of the team. I believe Hanley Ramirez was a horrible influence on Puig; what could have been if Puig had much better role model when he first came up to the Dodgers.
“The last couple of years, I didn’t work hard because I still have a contract to go. Now, I think work harder than any year of my life.”
And after he has a new contract, when he again has “a contract to go”? That statement could sure come back to haunt him.
…and cause potential suitors to back away from him (which is what I think you are saying).
Ron, you’re probably right about other teams backing away from him. And even if he has a great year with the Reds in that little league park, teams may still take that into the equation as well.
Outside of his first year with the Dodgers Puig has never put forth the effort he was capable of, so this should surprise no one who follows the Dodgers. We’ll be better off without him-regardless of how well he does in Cincy. One of the sad aspects of professional sports is that it’s rarely about the team anymore. Case in point? Machado signing with the Padres. I’m glad the Dodgers didn’t throw money at him or Harper; neither plays the game all out and it’s maddening for a baseball purist to watch!
no, no, no this cant be right.
didn’t you all read Tony Clark’s comments??
“Players commit to compete every pitch of every at-bat, and every inning of every game”.
surely you don’t believe that there are players who wouldn’t give 100%
surely there aren’t players who think hustling isn’t their “cup of tea”
He’s going to have a big year because of that ballpark. Cincy will be enamored with him, throw lots of money his way, then cheer loudly (or curse under their breath) every time he tries to throw out a runner from the outfield –or, vice versa, runs into a few more outs. But… you can’t say he’s not entertaining.
I wonder what Turner Ward’s wife thinks of Puig?
I agree. Puig will hit 30+ home runs this season and in that small ball park no runners, or fans in the stands will be safe when he unleashes a throw. Mattingly’s contract is up this year in Miami, so I look for Puig to become a Marlins in 2020 and beyond.
I feel betrayed😢
What sanctimonious BS!
1-Who has ever witnessed a traded (rejected) player worship his former employer and curse the new? Be serious. Puig knows who signs the checks- as do all the newly signed Dodgers. (And how many written puff pieces must we endure in the off season saying that each new Dodger has now reached nirvana.)
2-Everybody knows how improved/disciplined a hitter Puig became by his own determination and Turner Ward. Puig’s own efforts belied his stupid comment about not trying. We know he tried.
3-It is hardly a deeply held secret that players amp up the efforts during a free agency year. Why shouldn’t he say the obvious.
4-If this was some sort of effort to make fans dislike Puig or to take away from what he did accomplish with the Dodgers, Sorry, it failed miserably.
5-Puig’s comments are hardly a travesty. If we think so, we are way too thin skinned about the Dodgers. But what IS a travesty, is the Cinn trade (4 major leaguers traded away, none received) Sure Puig was a showboat. But he also happened to be a good solid player. It’s precisely because we gave away valuable pieces like Puig,Kemp and Wood for two minor leaguers that we are left scrounging for broken down catchers and has-been Brazilian outfielders.