People were upset that Marlon Byrd at 36 years old got $8 million a year for two years. How about for a catcher, also off a substance suspension who had a down year? That amount is $10 million a year for two years. Ruiz will be 35 opening day. Byrd will be 36.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that Chooch does have a good offer from at least one team:
Free-agent catcher Carlos Ruiz's agent has told at least one suitor that he has a two-year, $20M offer.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 12, 2013
Then, word came from Joel Sherman of the New York Post that Ruiz has been offered a two-year deal plus an option year:
#rockies definitely pushing on Carlos Ruiz, heard willing to do 2 yrs with option. #Phillies still could try to keep
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 12, 2013
The Rockies are NOT the team that offered two years at $10 million per, Sherman also tweets:
However, #Rockies were told by Ruiz that he can get 2 yrs at $20M and if that is case, Colorado will pass, won't go that high
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 12, 2013
Would the Phillies offer that? It's hard to say. My guess is that the Phillies are offering less and hoping he stays for sentimental reasons, as I wrote earlier in the discussion about A.J. Pierzynski.
That backup plan better be ready.
