Dodgers News: A.J. Ellis Traded For Phillies’ C Carlos Ruiz
With October coming up around the corner, the Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping to get their team stacked up and ready to make a playoff run.
It seems that the Dodgers are willing to do whatever it takes in order to create that winning environment. Even if that means trading nine-year Dodger catcher and Clayton Kershaw’s best friend, A.J. Ellis. The Dodgers announced on Thursday afternoon that they will be trading Ellis for Phillies’ 37-year-old catcher, Carlos Ruiz.
Listen to A.J.’s farewell interview below.
Dodgers acquire C Carlos Ruiz & cash from Phillies in exchange for A.J. Ellis, @MiLB RHP Tommy Bergjans & player to be named later or cash.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 25, 2016
Ellis big part of #Dodgers’ fabric, but he was batting .194 with a .537 OPS. He’s also 35; wasn’t going to be Kershaw’s catcher forever.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 25, 2016
Official Dodgers Press Release on Ruiz/Ellis Trade pic.twitter.com/5IDMFdP4eR
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) August 25, 2016
A.J. Ellis (1/3): https://t.co/sJc2GJWjCz
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 25, 2016
A.J. Ellis (2/3): https://t.co/TZZ1LBxRvy
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 25, 2016
A.J. Ellis (3/3): https://t.co/xYsmlHMwHS
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) August 25, 2016
With Grandal clearly taking over the starting catcher position and Austin Barnes getting groomed in the minors all year long, the future didn’t look bright for the 35-year-old catcher whose contract was up following this season. But Ellis’ presence will be greatly missed by the all Dodger fans, his teammates in clubhouse and especially by his best friend, Clayton Kershaw.
AJ Ellis met with Clayton Kershaw in the dugout. He said was "absolutely devastated" to know he would never catch Kershaw again.
— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) August 25, 2016
Los Angeles Dodgers fans everywhere thank A.J. Ellis for his time as a Dodger and he will be greatly missed. #ThankYouAJ
Thanks for all the great game’s. You’ll always be a dodger to me!
A.J. was the epitome of class and baseball smarts. There was no need for them is trade. How much of a difference will Ruiz make, compared with the upset that this has created? This reminds me a great deal of another “genius” GM disrupting the momentum of a hot team–2004’s trade of Paul LoDuca and others at the deadline. The Dodgers staggered after that and barely made it to the playoffs. I am wary of the same thing this time around. It was entirely predictable that they would be useless last night. Thank you, A.J., for everything. You deserved a better exit.