Dodgers' Puig: 'Players never want to be traded from their first team'

In recent weeks, there have been reports regarding Yasiel Puig's future with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

First, a teammate suggested Puig would not be missed in the clubhouse. That was followed by Dodgers owner Mark Walter stating his support for the 24-year-old before it was reported Monday that opposing clubs had been informed the youngster was available for the right price.

For Puig, he can't help but be frustrated.

"The season hasn't turned out the way I wanted," Puig said, in Spanish, to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.

The 2014 All-Star has struggled this season, missing over a month with a hamstring strain and has struggled at the plate with a career low slash line of .253/.327/.423.

Despite the rough year on and off the field, Puig hopes to stay with Los Angeles.

"Players never want to be traded from their first team," he said before citing now-Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon as an example. "But that's not our decision."

Despite his hopes to stay with the Dodgers, the Cuban defector understands baseball is a business, and is willing to play somewhere else if dealt.

"I'll play anywhere," Puig said. "I came to the United States to play baseball. Baseball is the same anywhere. If they want to trade me, that's their decision. I can't do anything about that."

Though it would likely take a sizeable haul to grab Puig – who is under team control until 2019 – the Dodgers could use instant help in their starting rotation with Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy out for the season.

Potential targets could include Cole Hamels of the Philadelphia Phillies, David Price of the Detroit Tigers and Jeff Samardzija of the Chicago White Sox with the July 31 trade deadline approaching.