By: Tim Kelly, Managing Editor 
Though the production of the team's two top minor league catchers may push him out of the Philadelphia Phillies organization for the first time in his career after 2016, catcher Carlos Ruiz appears to be extending his career in some regard with the production he's had through the first month plus of the 2016 season.
The 37-year-old is having a surprise rebound season in 2016, batting .288 with three home runs and six RBIs. His number don't jump off the page, but when you consider that Ruiz batted just .242 with two home runs in 320 at-bats in 2015, it appears that a reduced role has allowed the former All-Star to regain some effectiveness.
Ruiz, who is one of the two remaining members of the 2008 World Series team, seems unlikely to be re-signed by the Phillies after the 2016 season due to the presence of top prospects Jorge Alfaro and Andrew Knapp, which led Matt Gelb of Philly.com to ask Ruiz how he felt about the idea of potentially being traded to a competitive situation this summer. Given that the Phillies are four games above .500 and less than three games out of first place in the National League East, Ruiz's answer was predictable.
"You never know, man," Ruiz said. "It could be here. It could be somewhere else."
Ruiz did go on to admit that he's uncertain what will happen at the August 1 trade deadline.
"I don't know," Ruiz said. "I'm real happy here. I want to do my best to help the team win. Anything can happen. . . . I don't know what will happen at the deadline."
Even though he's not an everyday player anymore, if Ruiz continues playing at the level that he has early this season, there are a few contenders he could be a fit with. A return for him would be minimal, but it would be more than just allowing him to walk (or retire) at the end of the season, and would potentially allow Ruiz a final chance to win a second World Series.
