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Phillies pick up $5 million option on Carlos Ruiz

Carlos Ruiz will be paid a career-high $5 million next season after the Phillies picked up his 2013 option Monday.

Carlos Ruiz will make $5.5 million in 2013. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)
Carlos Ruiz will make $5.5 million in 2013. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)Read more

Carlos Ruiz will be paid a career-high $5 million next season after the Phillies picked up his 2013 option Monday.

What he will make beyond that from the Phillies remains to be seen.

Ruiz' agent, Marc Kligman, said at this point the two sides have not talked about a long-term contract extension for the all-star catcher.

"No, I haven't received phone calls or overtures from the Phillies regarding an extension for a new contract," Kligman said.

Both sides declined the $5.5 million option on third baseman Placido Polanco for 2013. He will receive a $1 million buyout.

The Phillies declined options with utility man Ty Wigginton and reliever Jose Contreras. Wigginton, who hit .235 with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs in 2012, will receive a $500,000 buyout rather than his $4 million option. Contreras, who was limited to 34 games the last two seasons because of elbow injuries, will also receive a $500,000 buyout rather than his $2.5 million option.

Ruiz is coming off the best year of his career. He established career highs in batting average (.325), doubles (32), home runs (16), RBIs (68) and OPS (.935) despite missing 32 games with a partial tear in his left foot.

Kligman said Ruiz is scheduled to play for Panama in preliminary-round games of the World Baseball Classic, which begin Nov. 15 in Panama City.

Gold Glove contenders. Ruiz and shortstop Jimmy Rollins are among the finalists for Gold Glove awards at their positions. The winners will be announced Tuesday night on MLB Network.

Rollins' .978 fielding percentage was first among National League shortstops, and he has won three Gold Gloves, with the last coming in 2009. Ruiz's .994 fielding percentage ranked fifth among NL catchers with at least 100 starts.