In today's statistic-crazed baseball world, the statistics whizzes have yet to come up with a method in which to measure team chemistry. The Dodgers traded an important ingredient in that team chemistry yesterday when they traded backup catcher A.J. Ellis to the Philadelphia Phillies for backup catcher Carlos Ruiz. Ellis statistics have dropped off the past several seasons, hitting below the Mendoza line in two of the past three seasons, but his value to the team cannot be measured. He was drafted by the Dodgers out of Austin Peay State University in the 18th round in 2003 and this was his sixth season at the major league level.
Ellis was one of ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw's best friends on the team and I was stunned when I first saw the report that the Dodgers had traded Ellis. Baseball is a business but there are role players on every team that are revered for being great teammates and great for team chemistry.
The trade made good baseball sense. Ruiz brings a lot more to the plate offensively and the Dodgers have struggled from the right side of the plate this season. The San Francisco Giants are stacked with left handed starters and Andrew Friedman made a move that would help the team out as they go for the National League West title.
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