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Chooch Stays With Phillies

By PW Staff

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Jan. 27, 2010

MLB.com reports that Carlos Ruiz has signed a three-year, $8.85 million contract to stay with the Phillies: "Ruiz has hit .246 with 22 home runs and 138 RBIs in 366 games with the Phils, but they did not sign him to an extension because of his bat -- although both Proefrock and Ruiz think he can improve offensively. They love his defense and his game-calling skills. The pitchers love working with him, too. In fact, it is not an understatement to say Ruiz might be one of the more popular players in the clubhouse. He works hard. He has a great demeanor. By all accounts, he is a great teammate. A long time ago, Ruiz said he just wanted to make the big leagues. Now he's got a multimillion dollar contract as a respected, established catcher. "I never thought that one day I'd have a contract in the big leagues," Ruiz said. "Now it's very special to me to have this contract.""