Ross Clears, Phillies Make Contact
The Phillies have contacted the agent for catcher David Ross.
Ross Clears, Phillies Make Contact
Todd Zolecki
Catcher David Ross cleared release waivers at 1 p.m. today and the Phillies have contacted his agent.
Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said they are hopeful they can work out an agreement with Ross, who the Cincinnati Reds released Monday.
Ross hit .231 with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 134 at-bats this season for the Reds. But he also had a .381 on-base percentage. It's unclear what would happen to Ross if he signs with the Phillies. The most likely scenario is Ross finishing the month in triple-A Lehigh Valley, then joining the team Sept. 1 when the Phillies can expand their roster. Ross hit 21 home runs in 2006 and 17 home runs in 2007. He is a .223 career hitter, but Carlos Ruiz is hitting just .220 with two homers and 21 RBIs in 246 at-bats this season.
Chris Coste is hitting .272 with eight homers and 28 RBIs in 217 at-bats, but Charlie Manuel said yesterday he considers Coste as somebody who should catch two to three times a week.
Update: Ross isn't headed to the Phillies. Instead, he likely is headed to the Boston Red Sox.
Comments (47)
While I agree with the assessment that Coste is good only for 2-3 times a week, I don't see the improvement of Ross over Ruiz. I'd be happier with Marson for the 3-4 times a week, or if after Sept 1, give coste 2-3, Ruiz 1-2 and Marson 1-2— jeff gross- David Ross can't hit any better than Ruiz, except that he has a little more power. And I mean a little. So why mess with the staff's chemistry. It's like the Phillies management is brain dead. Have they watched Ross play?— RichNC
Comment removed.- I probably deserved that Comment. I just don't see the point of Ross and know they won't dump Ruiz entirely.— jeff gross
- Ruiz has regressed to the point that he doesn't look to ever be an everyday player in this league. Another player that once the league learned how to pitch to him couldn't cut the mustard. If the rest of the Phils offense were producing, he may have been able to get out from under the microscope. David Ross ? Why not ? The catchers no longer call the game anyway. Marson must be part of that stategy that if you wait to bring him up later rather than sooner you get that bargain basement sale in salary. AKA Ryan Howard. I think eventually the odd man out is Coste. His defense has been a big time liability. If it weren't for that great start he'd be at Ruiz numbers. I know he's a fan favorite. Oh well, truth hurts....— pat h
- Comment removed.
- pat h: The numbers don't support your statement regarding Coste's defense. For the season Coste has 2 errors, Ruiz 5. Coste has 34 steals against him and has thrown out 11 for a throw out percentage of 24%. Ruiz has 53 steals against him and has thrown out 16 for a throw out percentage of 23%. They are pretty much equal defensively and if anything Coste is a little better.— fischman
- pat h: The numbers don't support your statement regarding Coste's defense. For the season Coste has 2 errors, Ruiz 5. Coste has 34 steals against him and has thrown out 11 for a throw out percentage of 24%. Ruiz has 53 steals against him and has thrown out 16 for a throw out percentage of 23%. They are pretty much equal defensively and if anything Coste is a little better.— fischman
- pat h: The numbers don't support your statement regarding Coste's defense. For the season Coste has 2 errors, Ruiz 5. Coste has 34 steals against him and has thrown out 11 for a throw out percentage of 24%. Ruiz has 53 steals against him and has thrown out 16 for a throw out percentage of 23%. They are pretty much equal defensively and if anything Coste is a little better.— fischman
- pat h: The numbers don't support your statement regarding Coste's defense. For the season Coste has 2 errors, Ruiz 5. Coste has 34 steals against him and has thrown out 11 for a throw out percentage of 24%. Ruiz has 53 steals against him and has thrown out 16 for a throw out percentage of 23%. They are pretty much equal defensively and if anything Coste is a little better.— fischman
- pat h: The numbers don't support your statement regarding Coste's defense. For the season Coste has 2 errors, Ruiz 5. Coste has 34 steals against him and has thrown out 11 for a throw out percentage of 24%. Ruiz has 53 steals against him and has thrown out 16 for a throw out percentage of 23%. They are pretty much equal defensively and if anything Coste is a little better.— fischman
- pat h: The numbers don't support your statement regarding Coste's defense. For the season Coste has 2 errors, Ruiz 5. Coste has 34 steals against him and has thrown out 11 for a throw out percentage of 24%. Ruiz has 53 steals against him and has thrown out 16 for a throw out percentage of 23%. They are pretty much equal defensively and if anything Coste is a little better.— fischman
- Comment removed.
- Hey fischman, you should post more often!— Kecker
Welcome to the party, fischman. One of each post will do.— bobby- I don't hate this idea as much as everyone else does. Granted, Ross isn't near the upgrade over Ruiz we would like, but I think he is more of an upgrade than everyone realizes. Yes, he has a bit more pop, but the telling thing to me is the OBP. A .381 OBP while hitting only .231 means he must be very selective, and have a very good eye. I like in that in a #8 hitter. Make them throw you a strike, or else take your base and turn the line-up over. One of the biggest concerns with Ruiz and Coste offensively has to be the number of bad, BAD pitches they swing at in situations where you don't think they will get anything to hit, with two outs and the pitcher on deck. And as catchers, they should both grasp those situations better than anybody, but instead they both swing pitches well out of the zone and don't even take the unintentional-intentional walk they are being offered.— RollinsWasRight
- Anyone else think it's almost embarassing that the Phillies are looking at this guy Ross? I mean, if a player represents a clear upgrade, fine. But he's hitting .231 and he's a career .223 hitter!!!! Geez, if you're gonna rearrange the deck chairs, at least get BETTER deck chairs while you're at it.— bobby
- And how many catchers are there right now that you can realistically get that are a clear and significant upgrade over Coste and/or Ruiz? I know Pudge went before the deadline, and that was frustrating to watch, but I don't think the Braves are moving Brian McCann, or the Dodgers Russell Martin.— RollinsWasRight
- Gillick is really fading fast-Connine! to Lohse! to Ross? What a dope!!! I guess Ross is the this yrs version of Russell Branyan. Waht a joke! This will only further demoralize the troops— Truth
- If the Aliens that abducted Darren Daulton ever bring him back to earth we should get him to play catcher. P.S. The Phillies need to win their division to get into the playoffs. And they won't get there with these three mediocre catchers. How bout' bringing up a rookie.— jmargo23
- If any of you ever pay close attention to Coste , you would realize that he does not block the plate. Nor does he block the slider in the dirt as well as Ruiz either. And offensively Coste is hitting .208 in July and .178 in Aug, Ruiz, even though not great, is hitting .224 in July and .240 in Aug.with a .406 OBP for Aug. I really think if any one needs replacing its Coste, I know he's a great story but obviously can't maintain his offense for an entire season. Remember the last 2 years he only played half a season each year.— gkit
- How many catchers can you get that are an upgrade? Um, let me see... that would be NONE. It's like driving around in a broken down old wreck of a car and then going to the junkyard to get an 'upgrade'. Doesn't work that way.— bobby
- He cleared waivers b/c he sux---— Truth
- I know everyone loves Lou Marson, but what reason is there to believe that a AA catcher without a single ML at-bat can be brought up, thrust into significant playing time, in the middle of a penant race, in this town, and honestly be expected to be any better than Chris Coste or Carlos Ruiz or David Ross? We need to be careful not to fall in love with minor leaguers as much as the organization does. Until they prove themselves against big league pitching, they are unknown commodities, and I am not really comfortable banking my playoff chances on a kid being able to be thrust into the fire and thrive. If Utley would just start hitting, and Rollins, Carlos Quiz would be a moot point. The reason Ruiz's declining offense is even an issue is because the 1-7 hitters aren't producing squat.— RollinsWasRight
- gkit is correct re: Chris Coste, although I don't believe it is the length of season that is hurting him. I think it is the 2-3 games a week that are hurting him. I think that is too much. Once a week, maybe twice, no more than 3 starts in 14 days, and otherwise pinch hitting duty, is where he has proven able to thrive. The more he starts, the less he hits.— RollinsWasRight
- I was rooting for the Phillies but at this point they don't deserve to make to playoffs. Moves like this are an embarrasment to the city-the other teams make moves to win. YOU the fan will sell-out the bank regardless and accept there penny pinching ways. I no longer blame the Phillies I blame YOU the phoolish philadelphia phan.— Truth
- Why not Clay Darymple? Anybody call John Bateman? These guys are clueless.— jimmymack
- I can't believe we have to sift through the wastes of the other teams again.— jwad56
- Truth, do you buy your B.S. by the pound or the ton?— jimmymack
- Jimmymack-I live int the real world not the abstract or the imaginary. Instead of attacking my character attack my positions.— Truth
- pat h: The numbers don't support your statement regarding Coste's defense. For the season Coste has 2 errors, Ruiz 5. Coste has 34 steals against him and has thrown out 11 for a throw out percentage of 24%. Ruiz has 53 steals against him and has thrown out 16 for a throw out percentage of 23%. They are pretty much equal defensively and if anything Coste is a little better.— glackattak
- How is this so terrible? If you're going to have a catcher that hits in the .220 to .230 range, let's at least take the guy who has a decent OBP and is a selective, contact hitter — which Ruiz is certainly not... This lineup needs as many patient, contact hitters as possible. Is it the acquisition of the century? Of course not... but it's certainly not a bad move at this point in the season... not like they gave up anything. If J-Roll, Howard, Jenkins, Feliz and Utley — yes, Utley; I said it! — were performing to their potential, we wouldn't even be talking about this.— itsRyan
- I missed the part where I questioned your character. But I think your position is bs. You classify yourself as the only fan who has any clue, while the rest of us are "phoolish philadelphia phan". Must be nice to be the smartest guy around. Not. You have an opinion fine, calling the rest of us "Morons" is getting so boring. Try to bring a little more to the table.— jimmymack
- Why sign Ross when they have Jaramillo and Marsten to bring up on September 1? The answer has to do with money - as usual with the Phillies. Ross won't cost much, but bringing up minor leaguers could cost more in the future, since they would be accumulating service time which would make them eligible for arbitration at an earlier date. This is the same reason they don't cut Taguchi and bring up Golson who could help right now. How about trying to win now!!!— abspe
I VOTE for MORE Chris Coste first! then if he REALLY can't cut it, ok. but i still think he deserves a lil bit more of chance catch more. MORE Chris Coste!!— tfcino1- JMargo23, that was a stupid comment. While I and everyone else in the world agree that this team needs to win the division to make the playoffs, Ruiz and Coste are not going to determine whether they do or not. They both need to hit better, yes, but they factor very little into this team making the playoffs. Lets look at Jroll and the rest of the inconsistent hitters in the lineup. Your 8th hitter does not determine whether or not this team makes the playoffs.— bpiont
- Did Philly.com really lead its Web site with the possible signing of a backup catcher batting .231?— Brookie64
- Comment removed.
- I hate to interrupt the backup catcher debate and I know it was the Nationals but another good effort by Myers tonight. The bullpen got a much deserved night off and maybe, just maybe, the bats are coming out of the mid-summer hibernation? Back to the debate- rookie call ups can make a difference- see Marty Bystrom in 1980, Len Matusek in 1983, Kevin Stocker in 1993 and Kyle Kendrick last year. As to the 8th hitter not being the difference between playoffs and no playoffs it is true if the team is hitting like the Phils did last year. If you are hitting like this team, you need every bit of offense you can get-the bottom of the order is no exception.— KMG
- Great game tonight! Brett's first complete game shut-out in 4 years? Yes! I know it was against the worse team in the majors, but it's not like they weren't hitting off him. Lots of drama with the errors, off-set by a couple of great double plays! I have to admit.....I'm not sure what Costie was thinking. Trying to steal with no outs and Brett bunting. He was fidgeting around 1st base like a little jumping bean. And he's not really known for his base stealing. Oh well. No harm done. Lot's boo-birds out for J.Roll. Especially when he got caught stealing. We were cheering 2 minutes earlier when he hit his single. Then he blew the *love*. LOL!— Norma
- A terrific effort by Myers, kept his cool in early innings and looked like the pitcher we thought he could be. I know it's the Nats, but I'll take it...LOL— jimmymack
- Myers has been simply awsome since coming back. ALmost makes me think twice about trading him during off season for a real starter and/or a real RF or catcher.— jeff gross
- I went flounder fishing with Fischman.........he caught one fish but told everyone he caught six......go figure.— rockinrob
- Great to see the bottom of the line-up producing some runs. Rollins/Utley/Howard made a fantastic double-play and Burrell's rocket to home in the 1st for the out was also fantastic. Myers has been such a surprise. Let's sweep 'em tonight! GO PHILS!— KarenA
- I agree with RollinsWasRight. It does not make sense to bring somebody else to catch during the pennant race, especially a rookie catcher from Doble A. Remember, Marson is a late bloomer. He did not start catching until his senior year in HS. He was a football player. He has a lot to learn. Catching is the toughest position in baseball, as is quarterback in football and point guard in basketball. If somebody needs to be call up is Jason Jaramillo, who has a better track record than Marson and is more experienced. He is being an allstar in every level. He should be call up in September and they should keep him in the bigs until Marson is ready. I think a combination of Ruiz and Jaramillo, who is a switch hitter by the way (better hitter from the left side), next year could work. In the meantime, what we got now (Coste and Ruiz) is what we got. Let's pray that the rest of the team wakes and stars hitting.— EL Zorro
- EL Zorro: problem isnt Coste. He's teh ultimate back-up catcher. Problem is Ruiz, who can call a great game, but can't hit at all. If he at least didnt ground into double plays all the time....— jeff gross
- Yeah Jeff. This year he's being awful offensively, but last year he batted .265 with a little pop as a rookie. Maybe he got the sophomore jinx or something. He has to adjust obviously. I think we owe him another shot until the young kids are ready.— EL Zorro
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