CLEVELAND, OH – The Indians traded for Yasiel Puig, hoping he could revamp a lineup that desperately needed more power.
The star outfielder isn’t a part of their future, but he’s athletic, strong, energetic and one of the most talented players on the planet. Unfortunately for the Tribe, he hasn’t been playing like it.
Puig, 28, has only homered twice since the Indians acquired him on July 31. He’s struggled over the past month and hasn’t added the power that the organization envisioned when they traded for him.
Puig has posted a .207/.315/.261 slash line in his last 25 games with no home runs and 25 strikeouts (92 at-bats). Cleveland is 14-11 over that span. If the Indians are going to earn an American League Wild Card spot, they need ‘Wild Horse’ to do his part on offense.
Losing José Ramírez hurts because Puig no longer has an All-Star behind him in the lineup. Teams are more likely to pitch around him, but that doesn’t mean a .207 batting average is acceptable.
The Indians know what their getting from the top of their lineup. Francisco Lindor is their best player. Oscar Mercado has emerged from an August slump and has made multiple game-saving plays in center field. Carlos Santana has been the Indians' most valuable player this year.
Puig is a star. He has the potential to be the best hitter in the Indians' lineup for the rest of the regular season. They need him to play that way if they're going to make the playoffs.
It’s Puig’s time. He’s in a contract year, hoping to prove that he deserves a long-term contract.
The Indians’ margin of error is gone. They’re not going to win the AL Central, but they’re only 1½ games behind Tampa Bay in the wild card race. Puig has to become a difference maker down the stretch.
He’s showed some signs of life, posting a .306 batting average in his last 10 games. The Indians are 7-3 over that span.
They’re a different team when Puig is hitting at a high level. He’s energetic and his smile lights up a room. The Indians need his bat to follow suit for the final 13 games of the regular season. If it doesn’t, the Tribe will likely be sitting at home watching the Rays and Athletics in the AL wild card game.
