Chooch Traded To Dodgers

By R.J. Anderson/CBSSports.com – We’re now less than a week from the postseason eligibility deadline, meaning contenders have precious little time to do their last-minute shopping. The Los Angeles Dodgers checked an item off their list, agreeing to a trade that netted them catcher Carlos Ruiz from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for backstop A.J. Ellis, pitcher Tommy Bergjans, and a player to be named later.

There’s a human element to the Phillies’ side, too — or so you’d like to think that part of the motivation here was allowing Ruiz, a franchise mainstay, to go play for a contender. In all likelihood, the Phillies were probably more motivated by saving some money and getting a low-level prospect or two in return.

With Ellis around to play out the string as Cameron Rupp’s backup, the proverbial key to the deal is Bergjans. Good story aside — he was a senior signing — he hasn’t taken well to High-A, where he’s posted an ERA near 5.00 across 24 appearances. The scouting reports aren’t much kinder, either. Bergjans sits 88-to-92 with his fastball, and complements it with a solid curveball and okay changeup. Maybe the Phillies see reason for greater optimism, but they’d likely be pleased if Bergjans turn into a swingman.