Phillies trade Carlos Ruiz to the Dodgers

And then there was one.

The Phillies have reportedly traded Carlos Ruiz to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The move was first reported by Philly.com’s Matt Gelb.

In return, the Phillies get back-up catcher A.J. Ellis, RHP Tommy Bergjans and a player to be named later in exchange for Ruiz and cash. Bergjans has a 6.44 ERA this season playing in High-A, mostly as a starter.

Ruiz cleared waivers this week, meaning he was cleared to be traded to any team in baseball.

He spent 11 years with the Phils, playing 1069 games for the franchise, 32nd most in team history. Among catchers, he was fifth all-time, behind Red Dooin, Mike Lieberthal, Bob Boone and Darren Daulton.

During his time with the Phils he won five NL East titles, two NL pennants and one world title, and was the man behind the plate for four Phillies no-hitters, tying a Major League record.

He hit a career .266 with the Phils, adding a .352 on-base percentage and a .393 slugging percentage, amazing production considering he was signed as a second baseman out of Panama in 1998 for the low-low cost of eight thousand dollars.

Ruiz will become the Dodgers’ back-up catcher, behind All Star Yasmani Grandal. He is expected to become a free agent after the season, but can be retained by the Dodgers on a $4.5 million team option.

This is the fourth member of the 2008 Phillies traded to the Dodgers, following Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley.

Obviously, the trade of Ruiz is an emotional one for Phillies fans. Chooch was a fan-favorite, and was beloved by his teammates as well.

Ruiz is also the player who caught the final pitch of the 2008 World Series, embracing Brad Lidge in front of the mound in Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Ryan Howard is now the only player remaining from that ‘08 championship team.