2016 Dodgers review: Carlos Ruiz

Carlos Ruiz is the third former popular Phillies veteran acquired by the Dodgers in two years.

What went right

With A.J. Ellis struggling all year, the Dodgers traded for Ruiz on Aug. 25. The most shocking part of the trade was that Ellis, the longtime Dodger, went to Philadelphia in the deal, along with pitcher Tommy Bergjans and, eventually, outfielder Joey Curletta.

Ruiz, a Dodgers nemesis during his time with the Phillies, delivered as advertised with the Dodgers. He was 8-for-26, hitting .308/.379/.346 against left-handed pitchers.

Ruiz started twice in the playoffs, and played seven of 11 games. He was 3-for-11 with a double, a home run and a walk, hitting .273/.333/.636 with four RBI. That included a pinch-hit two-run home run to pull the Dodgers within a run in Game 3 of the NLDS, and the go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the NLDS.

What went wrong

In his first game with the Dodgers, on Aug. 26, Ruiz let two pitches get away in the ninth inning, contributing to Kenley Jansen allowing the tying run score in what would become an extra-inning loss to the Cubs.

Started off his Dodgers career 2-for-18 (.111) through his first eight games, including five starts.

2016 particulars

Age: 37

Stats: 10-for-36, 2 doubles, 3 BB, .278/.350/.333 in 14 games with Dodgers

Salary: $8.5 million, of which the Dodgers were responsible for roughly $765,000.

Game of the year

Though it didn’t give the Dodgers the lead, and LA would actually lose the game, Ruiz’s home run in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the NLDS gave life to the team, putting them within one run in the contest. It was the seventh pinch-hit home run in Dodgers playoff history, and their first at home since Kirk Gibson in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

Roster status

The Dodgers had a club option on Ruiz for 2017 worth $4.5 million or a $500,000 buyout, but instead traded him to the Mariners on Nov. 7 in exchange for left-handed pitcher Vidal Nuño.