The Los Angeles Dodgers made a key trade just days before the September 1st deadline for players to be on the playoff roster. L.A. acquired veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz from the Phillies for catcher A.J. Ellis and a minor league player. The Dodgers also acquired cash considerations in the deal.
Ellis had spent 13 years in the Dodgers' organization, the longest-tenured player on the roster.....until Thursday. Ellis is also very close with ace Clayton Kershaw, as the two exchanged an emotional goodbye. The catcher called this process "very difficult" as he was set to join Philadelphia.
Ellis and Kershaw sat in the dugout after the deal was announced, both in shock and not saying much to one another. The former Dodgers' catcher admitted "we both cried."
Ruiz is expected to help out a Dodgers' offense that ranks 13th in the National League with a .663 OPS against lefties. Ruiz has hit two of his three home runs against southpaws, but has just 44 at-bats against them.
The former World Series champion has a career .275 average and .814 OPS against lefties. He has 121 at-bats this season against right-handers, and in his career is hitting .265 against them.
Before he left, Ellis was hitting just .194 and was known as the backup catcher behind Yasmani Grandal. There is not yet word on if Ruiz will see the same amount of playing time, or take over as the starter behind the plate.
Ellis had spent 13 years in the Dodgers' organization, the longest-tenured player on the roster.....until Thursday. Ellis is also very close with ace Clayton Kershaw, as the two exchanged an emotional goodbye. The catcher called this process "very difficult" as he was set to join Philadelphia.
Ellis and Kershaw sat in the dugout after the deal was announced, both in shock and not saying much to one another. The former Dodgers' catcher admitted "we both cried."
Ruiz is expected to help out a Dodgers' offense that ranks 13th in the National League with a .663 OPS against lefties. Ruiz has hit two of his three home runs against southpaws, but has just 44 at-bats against them.
The former World Series champion has a career .275 average and .814 OPS against lefties. He has 121 at-bats this season against right-handers, and in his career is hitting .265 against them.
Before he left, Ellis was hitting just .194 and was known as the backup catcher behind Yasmani Grandal. There is not yet word on if Ruiz will see the same amount of playing time, or take over as the starter behind the plate.
