Carlos Ruiz Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers

Phillies have traded Carlos Ruiz to the Los Angeles Dodgers

Shortly after he cleared waivers, the Phillies have traded long-time catcher Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz to the Los Angeles Dodgers. While Ruiz could veto any trade due to his veteran status, it became clear he was willing to move on to a contending team for one last shot.

He will also be reunited with Chase Utley and Joe Blanton in Los Angeles.

The team will receive veteran catcher A.J. Ellis, pitching prospect Tommy Bergjans, and a player to be named later.

The trade makes Ryan Howard the lone member of the 2008 World Series team still on the Phillies current roster.

Carlos Ruiz spent all 11 of his seasons in Philadelphia prior to this afternoons trade. He leaves with over 1,000 games behind the plate, and a .266 batting average. Among active catchers, Chooch has the second-highest defensive war. He has caught over 7,000 strikeouts, and his pitchers have an above-average 3.92 ERA with him behind the plate.

Ruiz made one All-Star game during his tenure with the Phillies, which was back in 2012 when he hit .325 with 16 home runs.

Chooch is tied for the major league record for no-hitters/perfect games caught with four while with the Phillies. He caught both of Roy Halladay’s, one from Cole Hamels, and one combined no-no.

Despite being slightly under-rated for his skills behind the plate, Carlos Ruiz goes down as one of the most beloved non-super-stars in Phillies history.

In the package of players the Phillies received for Ruiz, catcher A.J. Ellis comes over to Philadelphia to back-up Cameron Rupp. Like Ruiz, Ellis is in the last year of his contract, and is past his prime as a hitter. The 35-year-old hit .194 backing-up Yasmani Grandal in Los Angeles.

Twenty-three year old Tommy Bergjans will come into the Phillies organization with some intrigue. He’s still in Advanced-A ball, which is concerning considering his age. Additionally, he has 13 losses and a 4.98 ERA this season in 24 games.

The positive side of Bergjans will be his 133 strikeouts in 130 innings. He’s started to light-up batters since being drafted in the eighth round of the 2015 MLB Draft, totaling 186 strikeouts in 183.2 innings.

So long Carlos Ruiz! A truly beloved player who will one day have his gigantic smile bronzed on the Wall of Fame.