Reds' Puig: 'I never worked hard' with Dodgers

A trade to the Cincinnati Reds and his pending free agency has Yasiel Puig motivated to work harder than ever before.

The enigmatic outfielder recently discussed his up-and-down career with the Dodgers and what it was like to be in the spotlight of Los Angeles.

"I never worked hard," Puig told ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. "Maybe that's the reason why I didn't have my better years."

In 2012, Puig signed a seven-year, $42-million contract with the Dodgers after defecting from Cuba. He immediately had an impact, finishing second in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2013 while appearing in his first All-Star Game a season later.

Following a decline in production and ultimately a demotion by the Dodgers in 2016 to help him improve as a "player and person," Puig recovered to have two solid seasons in 2017 and 2018.

Despite his turnaround, Puig was traded to the Reds as part of a seven-player deal in December.

The 28-year-old has just one season to prove himself in Cincinnati before hitting free agency.

"The last couple years, I didn't work hard because I still have a contract to go," Puig added with a chuckle, according to Gonzalez. "Now I think I'll work hard more than any year in my life."

In six seasons with the Dodgers, Puig hit .279/.353/.478 with 108 home runs and 331 RBIs. He struggled against left-handed pitching last year, notching a .628 OPS compared to a .921 OPS against right-handers.