And then there were none.
The Phillies have now settled with all four of their arbitration-eligible players and will avoid going in front of an arbitrator.
Catcher Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz is the latest Phillie to agree to a three-year contract, following Joe Blanton and Shane Victorino, according to ComcastSportsnet.com’s Jim Sailisbury. (Salisbury is scooping everyone this offseason. Why did the Inquirer let him go?)
Charlie Manuel congratulates Carlos Ruiz on his new contract.
Chooch will earn $9 million over the contract. He hit .255 with nine homers and 43 RBI in 322 at bats last year. However, the lifetime .246 hitter has turned it on when it counts most — the postseason.
Last year, he hit .341 in October and November. he previous year, he hit .261 with a number of timely hits to help propel the team to its first World Series title since 1980.
The deal gives Ruiz financial security as he has his first guaranteed contract. He will be eligible for free agency for the first time when the deal runs out. At that time he will be 34 and his big money days will likely be behind him.
