Jerry Dipoto: Carlos Ruiz adds winning pedigree to Mariners
Nov 7, 2016, 2:19 PM | Updated: 2:34 pm
Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto says Carlos Ruiz brings a veteran presence and winning pedigree. (AP)
(AP)
The Mariners’ trade for Carlos Ruiz became official Monday, with the Mariners announcing they acquired the veteran catcher from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for left-handed pitcher Vidal Nuño. And while that may not seem like a season-changing move in and of itself, 710 ESPN Seattle’s Mike Salk says it does continue with the model for following the World Series champions.
“If there was one thing I learned from watching the Cubs win the World Series, and Eddie Vedder’s bizarre singing, it’s that you’d better have an old backup catcher who used to be good,” Salk said. “And now they’ve got one.”
In fact, Ruiz, much like Chicago’s David Ross, is actually still pretty good. Though the former All-Star will be 38 next season, Ruiz managed a .264/.365/.348 line for the Dodgers and Phillies in 2016. He’s a patient hitter who has had success when games mattered most; he hit his fifth career postseason home run in the NLDS last month against the Nationals. He also has a reputation for good defense and a strong arm, and he led National League catchers last season (min. 50 games) in caught stealing percentage with a mark of 41.7 percent.
“First and foremost, Carlos brings us a veteran presence with outstanding leadership qualities and a winning pedigree,” Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a press release Monday. “His combination of strong on-base skills, situational awareness and game-calling ability are a welcome addition to the Mariners.”
Ross, by comparison, hit .229/.338/.446 in a reserve role for the Cubs in 2016, the last season of his career. The 39-year-old earned folk hero status for the Cubbies thanks to his leadership in the postseason that included some memorable work behind the plate and a clutch home run in Game 7 of the World Series.
Ruiz spent 11 of his 12 seasons in Philadelphia, winning a World Series in 2008. He should be a strong mentor for Mike Zunino, 25, who showed flashes and some pop as the team’s primary catcher in the second half of last season but posted a .207/.318/.470 line over 55 games. Backstop was a primary area of need for Seattle after the team declined to pick up Chris Iannetta’s 2017 option and Steve Clevenger opted for free agency.
“He is coming essentially to fill the Chris Iannetta role, which they need,” Salk said. “They need a backup catcher or somebody they can pair with Mike Zunino. I think somebody who can play 60 to 75 games might even be better for them rather than trying to let Zunino run out there for 100 (games). And Ruiz is still good enough that if you have to play him a little more often you can get away with it.”
Nuno, 29, went 1-1 with a 3.53 ERA in a career-high 55 appearances with the Mariners in 2016. He was acquired by Seattle along with Mark Trumbo from Arizona in exchange for catcher Welington Castillo, right-handed pitcher Dominic Leone and minor leaguers Gabby Guerrero and Jack Reinheimer on June 3, 2015.
Brock Huard believes this is likely just the start for Dipoto this offseason, who has shown a propensity for shaking up the roster.
“Get ready for a lot of moves. I think this is just the beginning,” Huard said. “There is a lot of decisions that have to be made. It will be fascinating to see Trader Jerry do what he does. He likes to trade. He likes to add to his team in that way. I don’t think it’s going to be massive expenditures financially. I think it’s going to be a ton of these kinds of personnel moves and trades, options and pickups. I’m looking forward to seeing what Dipoto has in store for us this winter.”
