November 7th, 2016 at 7:29 am 
by Ron Cervenka UPDATED: November 7, 2016 at 2:00 pm PT
According to multiple reports, the Dodgers have officially kicked off their off-season by trading 37-year-old veteran back-up catcher Carlos Ruiz to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for 25-year-old left-handed relief specialist Vidal Nuño.
The Dodgers acquired Ruiz just prior to the August 31 waiver trade deadline when they sent veteran catcher A.J. Ellis to the Philadelphia Phillies, a move that was extremely unpopular among Dodger fans, this in spite of the fact that the career Dodger was hitting only .194 with one home run and 13 RBIs in the 53 games in which he appeared for the Dodgers in 2016.
At the time of the trade Ruiz was hitting .261 with three home runs and 12 RBIs. He appeared in only 14 regular season games with the Dodgers during which he hit went 10-for-36 (.278) with no home runs and three RBIs. However, he hit a crucial pinch-hit two-run home run in Game-3 of the 2016 NLDS against the Washington Nationals which, at the time, turned a 4-1 deficit into a 4-3 game. Unfortunately, the Dodgers would go on to lose the game by a score of 8-3 after rare meltdowns by Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen and Ross Stripling. Fortunately, the Dodgers ended up winning the best-of-five series to advance to the NLCS … and we’ll just leave it at that.
For a brief moment it appeared that Carlos Ruiz’s dramatic fifth-inning pinch-hit home run in Game-3 of the NLDS was going to be the defining moment of the series. Unfortunately, the Dodgers eventually lost the game by a score of 8-3. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Nuño has spent parts of five seasons in the big leagues, having initially been drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 48th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. The Southern California native (National City) was subsequently traded to the Yankees and later to the Diamondbacks before landing in Seattle for the 2016 season, where he posted a 1-1 record and 3.53 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 11 walks in his 58.2 innings pitched. That being said, he has a career mark of 5-20 and a career ERA of 4.20 causing some Dodger fans to question this trade.
Although the trade has yet to be confirmed by either club, if true, it suggests that veteran left-hander J.P. Howell‘s time in Los Angeles may be coming to an end. Like several other Dodger relievers, Howell became a free agent at the conclusion of the 2016 season. The extremely popular 33-year-old Modesto, California native struggled a bit during the stretch run and was left off of the postseason roster – the first indication that his four-year relationship with the Dodgers may be over. During those four seasons Howell posted an outstanding 14-6 record and 2.49 ERA but in the just-concluded season he was 1-1 with a 4.09 ERA. That said, should the Dodgers not re-sign Howell, he will undoubtedly land a job somewhere – and probably soon.
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UPDATED: November 7, 2016 at 2:00 pm PT
The Dodgers have announced that this trade is now official.
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The AJ trade still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. He needs to come back in the Dodger organization as a coach & future mgr.
That could happen.
I think this was a LOT more about getting rid of Ruiz at age 38 and owed $4MM than it was about getting Nuno. I guess we’ll see if/when Howell is allowed to leave OR if he’s re-signed. To me this is simple asset management.
PS: I agree Barnes is a lot more versatile backup for the regular season. Let’s see if his bat and middle infield defense merits his inclusion on the post season roster – assuming of course we NEED a post season roster in ’17.
I think this deal is all about Austin Barnes. He is finally going to get that full time opportunity which he so very much deserves. Nuno is only arbitration eligible, and I think the Dodgers are just as likely to non-tender him than to offer him a contract (probably more so). That way it costs the Dodgers nothing. No Ruiz contract, no Ruiz buyout, no Nuno contract. If they do want Nuno, they could offer him a minor league contract. If the FO was taking my call, that is what my recommendation would be. The Dodgers already have three preferable lefties in Dayton, Liberatore, and Avilan.
Barnes does deserve the chance and question as to whether he will hit MLB pitching is what his only issue is as of now. he had a good ST last year so wss. he is versatile and fills a getting younger mode. As for Nuno?
That being said, he has a career mark of 5-20 and a career ERA of 4.20 causing some Dodger fans to question this trade. this pretty muuch means he may not even make this roster and trading Ruiz was one way of not having to pick up his option of 4.5 million I believe. Besides Ruiz will be 38.
Liberatore coming off elbow surgery. Avilan, Dayton, and perhaps Wood; however, Wood could be used in a package for a bat or a higher rated starting pitcher. AAA and AA rosters have zero prospects for LH relief. Nuno I believe follows the pattern of the FO to acquire depth for the long season. I think we could see another LH signed as a free agent (Blevins?) and a couple signed to minor league deals for AAA.
I have absolutely no idea what you are trying to say here OBF