The Dodgers could face left-handers in trying to win the National League West (Madison Bumgarner and Matt Moore of the San Francisco Giants) and in trying to advance through the NL playoffs (Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals and Jon Lester of the Chicago Cubs, although Ruiz is hitless in 14 career at-bats off Lester).
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The trade also leaves just aging slugger Ryan Howard in Philadelphia from the team that won the 2008 championship. I’m genuinely happy to have had the opportunity to play with him. An American League team might like to add that power for a stretch run, so don’t be surprised if he’s next.
Ruiz is experiencing a resurgent year with the bat in Philadelphia but the changing of the gaurd has happened behind the plate for the Philadelphia Phillies with Cameron Rupp taking over full time until Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro are ready for the bigs. Only three other catchers – Mike Lieberthal (1,139), Red Dooin (1,124) and Bob Boone (1,095) – have played more games than Ruiz’s 1,029. He got many of them for Philadelphia, batting.353 with two homers and five RBIs in 11 World Series games.
But it was the relationship that Ruiz had with his pitchers — especially Roy Halladay after helping the big right-hander throw a flawless game and a playoff no-hitter during the 2010 season – and the overall clubhouse that left a mark. “As a teammate, he always had that Ruiz smile that we all have come to love”.
It’s rare that a player can wholly embody a club’s energy and ideals.
In limited playing time, Ruiz has slashed.261/.368/.352 he also has impressive plate discipline having only struck out 28 times against 24 walks. Ellis has one million dollars left on his current contract leaving the Phillies with Rupp as the clear cut starter for next year. He an incredible backstop who knew how to call a game. “Before and after a game, and even during a game, he’s able to sit down with the pitchers and give his insights on how guys can be pitched and how to exploit their weaknesses”. More than departing a first-place team for one about to miss the postseason for a fifth consecutive season, Ellis would be leaving behind Kershaw, his throwing partner and friend of almost a decade.
Ellis hit.194 with one homer and 13 RBIs as a backup to Yasmani Grandal.
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Bergjans, however, has struggled this season at High-A Rancho Cucamonga with a 3-13 record to go with a 4.98 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. He is a strikeout pitcher, striking out 133 while walking only 29.
