In an attempt to offset their continued struggles against left-handed pitching, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Carlos Ruiz in a late-August trade with the Philadelphia Phillies. In return, the Phillies received fellow backup catcher A.J. Ellis.
On the surface the trade was rather inconsequential. However, Ellis and Ruiz had only been with one organization prior to the deal, and both were revered in their respective clubhouses. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman praised Ruiz for having the same traits as Ellis.
Without that, the trade would not have been completed, Friedman added. From the Phillies’ perspective, they were not willing to go through with the deal without Ellis being included, for the same reasons the Dodgers coveted Ruiz.
An added benefit for the Dodgers was Ruiz being under team control for next season, compared to Ellis reaching free agency this winter.
It’s now somewhat of a moot point as Ruiz has been traded to the Seattle Mariners, per Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball:
Sources: Carlos ruiz being traded to mariners
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 7, 2016
According to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers are receiving Vidal Nuno in exchange for Ruiz:
The deal has not been finalized, but LHP Vidal Nuno is the player the Dodgers are expected to get back for Carlos Ruiz.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) November 7, 2016
Ruiz appeared in 14 games with the Dodgers, hitting .278/.350/.333 with two doubles and three RBI. In seven postseason games (two starts), the 37-year-old went 3-for-11 with one double, one home run and four RBI.
The Dodgers’ willingness to trade Ruiz was first reported at the end of October. His $4.5 million club option was either picked up prior to the trade, or the Mariners will now do so.
Ruiz essentially replaces Chris Iannetta on the Mariners’ roster. Seattle declined their $4.25 million option on the 33-year-old late last week.
For the Dodgers, the trade presumably clears room for Austin Barnes to back up Yasmani Grandal next season.
Nuno went 1-1 and pitched to a 3.53 ERA, 4.51 FIP and 1.33 WHIP over 55 games with the Mariners this season. Having spent time with the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Mariners over parts of the past four seasons, the left-hander is 5-20 and owns a 4.02 career ERA in 126 games (42 starts).
