Nats lock up Ruiz

[IanRubbish]

In addition to Ruiz's continued struggles, Riley Adams has zero walks, 19Ks, and a .116 OBP.   Tough spot at catcher.

[Air Desmond]

The benefit of being a team with no expectations, you’re afforded time to see who’s a part of the future and who isn’t. Keibert is clearly not the catcher of the future. He might legitimately be one of the worst everyday players in baseball.

[IanRubbish]

The benefit of being a team with no expectations, you’re afforded time to see who’s a part of the future and who isn’t. Keibert is clearly not the catcher of the future. He might legitimately be one of the worst everyday players in baseball.

He is awful, but they're going to play the contract as I've said many times, it's how this team operates.  Also no one in the farm to take his place, but I'd at least give Millas another shot.  Lomavita is at least a season or two away.

[Slateman]

He needs to take an assignment to Triple A. His approach os terrible. He has one decent month in the last 9.

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

He's terrible at baseball.

[rileyn]

Any team with real ownership and GM would have already cut their losses at this point.  Not only is Ruiz one of the worst players in baseball, he also promotes a hang-dog, soft aura.  We need some added toughness on the field, especially at catcher.  This team just rolls over.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

He needs to take an assignment to Triple A. His approach os terrible. He has one decent month in the last 9.

I don't think he has any options. He'd need to be waived. It'd be interesting to see if he's claimed given the amount owed.

[Slateman]

I don't think he has any options. He'd need to be waived. It'd be interesting to see if he's claimed given the amount owed.

No, a player can take a voluntary assignment to the minors. It's happened before.

Honestly, put him on waivers and see what happens. You can always pull him off waivers. Or call another team's bluff

[nobleisthyname]

I was looking at the numbers some more this morning. Ruiz has a lower career OPS against major league pitching (.669) than Drew Millas (.694). We also know that by reputation at least Millas is the best defensively between him, Ruiz, and Adams.

Why are we so reluctant to give Millas a shot again?

[varoadking]

I was looking at the numbers some more this morning. Ruiz has a lower career OPS against major league pitching (.669) than Drew Millas (.694). We also know that by reputation at least Millas is the best defensively between him, Ruiz, and Adams.

Why are we so reluctant to give Millas a shot again?

There are 50 million reasons...

If he were successful, Rizzo looks bad for signing Ruiz long term.  Gotta protect that fragile ego...

[JCA-CrystalCity]

It's weird. Millas is denigrated as having an mlb backup ceiling by many who follow the system, but at this point, I don't see Ruiz as tapping into much more

[nobleisthyname]

It's weird. Millas is denigrated as having an mlb backup ceiling by many who follow the system, but at this point, I don't see Ruiz as tapping into much more

I think MLB backup is a higher ceiling than Ruiz will ever reach unfortunately. He doesn't belong on a major league roster at this point.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

His only skill is he doesn't K. Catcher is a premium defensive position. Doesn't K with bad D and no power can’t hack it even as a backup.

At some point, results should matter

[Smithian]

His only skill is he doesn't K. Catcher is a premium defensive position. Doesn't K with bad D and no power can’t hack it even as a backup.

At some point, results should matter

This was a big year for Keibert.

It isn't happening.

I'm ready to see either Millas or Adams given a week or two as first choice catcher. I doubt they're better, but something has to change at that spot.

[Air Desmond]

Who remembers Jesus Flores? Ruiz reminds me of him. Ruiz might actually be worse.

[nobleisthyname]

Who remembers Jesus Flores? Ruiz reminds me of him. Ruiz might actually be worse.

Kid me was convinced Flores was going to be a star.

[Slateman]

Did they….. Just gamble on an extension?

They did.

[imref]

our catchers are currently a combined 0 for their last 32

[Smithian]

They did. Addressed it a few times.

And it was the right decision. The upside was worth the risk.

It was a good contract extension. We need to applaud good FO behavior. They signed him early and meant when he went bust, it wasn't a team crippling mistake. However, if he busted out a top 10 offensive season, we'd have had a bargain.

Keibert Ruiz isn't the reason the Nationals have struggled. And as JCA said, if this team was winning in next few season, his salary isn't keeping Nats from reducing his role.

At the time, the contract seemed really smart. Your take was spot on

Theres no way Boras would have let him sign away three years of free agency. Not without some sort of opt outs. Would have been fine with 50 million in exchange for 1 year of free agency. 3 plus two options is freaking stealing.