Archive for November 19th, 2013

Phillies and catcher Carlos Ruiz agree to a 3 year, $26 million dollar deal

November 19th, 2013 by Kyle Lutz | Comments Off on Phillies and catcher Carlos Ruiz agree to a 3 year, $26 million dollar deal | Filed in Baseball, General, Phillies

(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

The potential loss of an All-Star caliber catcher, and one of the best defensive catchers in the game, had to be looming over the Phillies’ heads, prior to re-signing the nine year veteran (all with Philadelphia) and All-Star to a lucrative deal on Monday.

Ruiz and the Phillies agreed to a $26 million dollar, 3-year deal that will keep him a Philadelphia Phillie for at least another three years (and overall, a decade almost) potentially. The contract also includes a club option for 2017.

Ruiz, in the thin market this off-season for catchers, was heavily pursued and contacted by numerous teams, many of which were contenders or playoff teams this past season, including Boston, the Yankees, and Colorado, among others.

Last season was a tough one, to say the least, for Ruiz. Not only was he officially suspended by Major League Baseball for 25 games, just over a year ago, prior to the 2013 season, due to testing positive for an amphetamine, but he performed poorly on the field as well offensively- perhaps due to his body weaning itself off of the drugs.

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Ottawa Senators vs. Philadelphia Flyers- Game Preview, Breakdown, Injury Report, and Predictions

November 19th, 2013 by Kyle Lutz | Comments Off on Ottawa Senators vs. Philadelphia Flyers- Game Preview, Breakdown, Injury Report, and Predictions | Filed in Flyers, General, Hockey

Senators (8-8-4) vs. Flyers (7-10-2)
Arena: Wells Fargo Center
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Channel: RSNE, TVA, CSN Philly
Radio: 93.3 WMMR

(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Woods)

The Flyers, after a four game break after Friday night’s shootout loss to Winnipeg, come back tonight to begin the first game of a three game home stand vs. Ottawa. They defeated them on the road last week 5-0 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ontario, a game in which Jake Voracek compiled two goals, and goalie Steve Mason (who gets the start tonight) stopped all 24 shots by the Sens for his first shutout of the season (and as a Flyer).

Speaking of Mason, he hasn’t allowed any more than three goals in a game this season. He moves up with the puck when need be, he moves the puck well, he moves great laterally side to side. And it isn’t as if he’s on an extreme hot streak, I just believe he’s playing overall solid hockey, after a period with Columbus a few years ago where the same couldn’t be said.

Last week on the road trip, Philadelphia went undefeated, with a 2-0-1 record at Ottawa, rival Pittsburgh and Winnipeg. They could have earned all 6 possible points on that road trip, but they squandered a late 2-1 lead vs. Winnipeg, when Dustin Byfuglien scored on a late power play for Winnipeg, and Winnipeg won it on extra shots in the shootout. Regardless of the squandered point, Philadelphia has to look at the positives: they still gained a point, they still went undefeated on the road trip, which was essential if this turn around is going to occur, and they competed at a high level.

(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld)

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