Phillies rumor: Carlos Ruiz intends to play in 2018
One of the greatest Phillies catchers of all-time is not ready to hang up the mask
Phillies legend Carlos Ruiz will be looking to join his fourth team in as many seasons this winter.
Despite turning 39-years-old in January the World Series champion wants to continue his playing career for at least one more season. ESPN baseball writer Jerry Crasnick reports Chooch is working out in his home nation of Panama in preparation for his 13th major league season.
Ruiz spent the entirety of last season with the Seattle Mariners, with whom he appeared in 54 games. In 125 at-bats the Panamanian catcher hit .216 with three home runs for Seattle.
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Philadelphia had traded Ruiz to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2016 season for veteran catcher A.J. Ellis and prospects Tommy Berjans and Joey Curletta.
Los Angeles subsequently traded Ruiz that winter to Seattle for reliever/spot-starter Vidal Nuno, who never played a game for the Dodgers.
If a team is looking for a backup catcher who can work with not just a young backstop but a pitching staff Ruiz could be the guy in free agency. Aside from stars Jonathan Lucroy and Wellington Castillo the catching market is a mixed bag. Alex Avila, Miguel Montero, Nick Hundley, and the former Phillie Ellis round out the notable names in this year’s free agency class.
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Coming out of the final year of a contract extension Ruiz will likely see a dip in his $4.5 million salary from last season. If he gets half of that it’ll be a decent payday for a man who stole the heart of Philadelphia.