LAST MONTH, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said it was just "a formality" that the Phillies would pick up the team option on Carlos Ruiz' contract this offseason.
With the 2012 season officially ending Sunday, Amaro wasted little time in keeping his word. The Phils began offseason chores by exercising the option on Ruiz' contract on Monday.
Ruiz, a first-time All-Star in 2012, will earn $5 million in 2013. He can become a free agent after the season.
Ruiz, who turns 34 in January, signed a 3-year, $8.85 million contract before the 2010 season that included a club option for a fourth.
The Phils could still look to lock up Ruiz to a new multiyear contract this winter.
While the Phils picked up Ruiz' option, they declined their 2013 option on Placido Polanco's contract ($5.5 million). The two sides had a mutual option.
Polanco receives a $1 million buyout. An All-Star in 2011, the oft-injured Polanco appeared in just 90 games this season. He played in only eight games after July 22 because of a back injury.
Additionally, the Phils declined club options on Ty Wigginton ($4 million) and Jose Contreras ($2.5 million). Both will receive $500,000 in buyout clauses.
Ruiz' return for 2013 is hardly a surprise. A backbone of the team's All-Star-laden pitching staff as their sure-handed catcher and game caller, Ruiz matured into a middle-of-the-order hitter in the absence of injured sluggers Ryan Howard and Chase Utley in the first half of 2012.
Ruiz hit .325 with a .935 OPS, 16 home runs and 68 RBI. All were career highs for Ruiz, who played in 114 games.
If it wasn't for a late-season left foot injury, Ruiz could have made a run at a batting title. Ruiz missed 34 games from Aug. 3 through Sept. 8 with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Among National League players with at least 400 plate appearances, Ruiz ranked fifth in hitting, behind Melky Cabrera (.346), Joey Votto (.337), Buster Posey (.336) and Andrew McCutchen (.327). Posey won the batting title.
Among major league catchers, Ruiz ranked second behind Posey in on-base percentage (.394) and OPS, third in extra-base hits and fifth in home runs and RBI. A career .275 hitter, Ruiz has hit .303 with a .388 OBP and an .842 OPS in the last three seasons.
Ruiz was one of two Phillies announced as finalists for Rawlings Gold Glove Awards on Monday. Three-time Gold Glove winner Jimmy Rollins is the other finalist.
Contact Ryan Lawrence at rlawrence@phillynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @rlawrence21. For more Phillies coverage and opinion, go to philly.com/HighCheese.
