Dec. 02--Dave Roberts doesn't know Yasiel Puig.
"Never said a word to him," Roberts said.
Didn't matter.
When Roberts was introduced Tuesday as the Dodgers' new manager, Puig was the player he was asked about most. Specifically, he was asked whether he would be able to forge the kind of relationship with the five-tool outfielder that could help him play up to his talent.
"Yasiel is ultra-talented, a special player, someone who was feared from the other side," Roberts said. "This is a great opportunity for me to embrace him. I'm excited about it."
The Dodgers are hopeful.
When explaining why Roberts was chosen to lead the Dodgers, baseball boss Andrew Friedman pointed to the first-time manager's infectious personality, not his baseball acumen.
The team's president of baseball operations talked about the positive energy Roberts radiates. His ability to connect with others. How he seems like the kind of person who could get the most from his players.
"We are highly confident that he will play a significant role in us shaping a culture of sustained success here," Friedman said.
Roberts' predecessor, Don Mattingly, was also considered a people person. Mattingly was never able to get through to Puig.
Under Mattingly's watch, Puig's work habits were widely questioned. Some teammates felt he was disrespectful toward them. His attention strayed not only in meetings, but also in games.
The behavior was tolerated when Puig was hitting.
But after playing in his first All-Star game last year, Puig batted a modest .274 with four home runs over the remainder of the season. This year, he batted .255 over 79 games and spent significant parts of the season sidelined because of hamstring problems. Some people wondered if his injuries were the result of his gaining weight.
Dodgers outfielder Scott Van Slyke's father, former All-Star Andy Van Slyke, implied in a recent radio interview that Clayton Kershaw told the front office he thought Puig should be traded. Kershaw has not commented, but Friedman claimed it didn't happen.
Asked if he felt compelled to trade the strong-armed right fielder, Friedman said, "I think Yasiel Puig can be a significant part of future success for the Los Angeles Dodgers."
Only now, Puig is in more trouble.
