Red Bulls eyeing Carlos Ruiz

                                                                                Photo by ISIphotos.com

The New York Red Bulls quest to find a replacement for Jozy Altidore has led them to a player who just happens to be in town this weekend.

The Red Bulls are considering acquiring Guatamalan forward Carlos Ruiz from the Los Angeles Galaxy, sources within MLS have told SBI. The former MLS MVP is on the trade market as the Galaxy look to shed salary, and the Red Bulls could make room for Ruiz on their salary cap if they and the Galaxy can agree on terms (which would likely include the Galaxy paying a portion of Ruiz's salary).

Would Ruiz be a good addition? He is a proven goal-scorer in MLS but has struggled this year since missing considerable time with a knee injury suffered early in the season (and also struggled with FC Dallas last season, finishing with seven goals in 22 games). He has no goals or assists in limited action this season (188 minutes in six matches). The 2002 MLS MVP is also likely to miss time due to World Cup qualifying with Guatemala later this summer and in the fall.

What's my take? I think if the Red Bulls are limited in their resources to add a forward from outside MLS, which has been suggested, then they could do worse than Ruiz.

What do you think about the Red Bulls possibly adding Ruiz? Would he be a good fit? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Haig]

I think it's pathetic, and demonstrates that Osorio is in over his head.

As a fix for this season, if he costs us ABSOLUTELY NOTHING-- no picks, no players-- and if we don't have to keep him past October, and if he costs very little to us through the entire run of his contract (i.e., we won't be paying maximum salary money for a useless player next year), then it would be barely acceptable.

If there is any cost whatsoever, it would be absolutely stupid, very close to the late season desperation moves in the past for which we mortgaged our future.

Seriously, is JCO so useless that he can't find anyone better? I'm starting to think so.

[doug]

forget ruiz. there has gotta be a reason a proven goal scorer cant cut it with Dallas or LA, twice. Or stay fit enough to play. You lose him for WCQ. I say forget Ruiz, play the season out and chase somebody in the offseason. Chances are, Ruiz might be gone in less than a year. RedBulls should make a run for a quality international striker, but there is no need to rush. RedBulls are still in the hunt in a jampacked playoff race.

[Haig]

By the way, rumor has it that Heerenveen is asking almost $14 million for Michael Bradley. As a sell-on fee, aren't we due the difference between the $500k cap and the $50k or so we already received to apply to the salary cap? Are we really so hard up that we're going to give something away to hire an overpriced punk midget forward to try to salvage Agoos and Osorio's jobs? This sort of idiocy is EXACTLY the kind of thing that has made us the joke of the league.

[Dannyc58]

I was worried this was the deal.

I seriously question JCO's ability to evaluate talent if this is the deal that gets done.

What a joke.

[Tim F.]

As you say, could do worse but the Red Bulls need to make sure he has fully recovered from injuries and Ruiz cannot be a club house distraction. Never really cared from Ruiz's antics but the guy knows how to score goals.

[Mike from linden]

I dont know about Ruiz.
Doesnt he have alot of attitude problems.
If I were red bulls I would just try to get gerogie welcome and put time into him instead of going with a risky Ruiz.
By the way, What happened to Carlos Pavon?

[Mighty]

Bring Ruiz to New York this team needs a player with the Heart taht Ruiz Has....... He fights every Ball. This would be a gret addition to the team!!

[Tim F.]

We need a forward for the remainder of the year. If not Ruiz then who?

[mike ruze]

As a Fire fan ....I hope this a happens. Biggest whiner player working for th biggest whiner coach.

Does JCO know there are players OUTSIDE of South America?

Or is he predjudicd against every player wh is non Latino? Thats all he wants to bring in. Even when he was with the Fire.

Maybe hell make an exception for Henry

[Ives]

Listen guys, I get the angst over Ruiz, but if there aren't many other options and it's basically a deal for the rest of the season, what's the risk exactly? As long as he's healthy I don't know how bad an option he is.

I also think Welcome might sign regardless and I also don't think George Welcome is ready to really help yet. He's a project.

[Mike in LA]

As far as this year goes, just to defend Ruiz, he's been injured almost the entire season.

He's been capable of playing decent minutes for a few weeks now but for LA he has to wait his turn due to Buddle's amazing form.

I think the jury is still out on what Carlos can provide, he hasn't yet had a chance to show his stuff. He was our best performer on the Asian tour in pre-season.

[DL]

Reyna over Ruiz any day. Even if he's hurt.

I can't think of a player I dislike watching more than Carlos Ruiz. His incessant flopping, complaining, and all around dirty and irresponsible play is a mockery of the beautiful game.

[Tony in Quakeland]

I would take him if I was the Red Bulls

[kpugs]

I hope this is an awful, awful joke. The biggest cheater and dirtiest player in the history of MLS?

It was hard enough cheering for Mamadou Diallo, and compared to Ruiz he is a saint.

[Joamiq]

Ugh. I can't root for Carlos Ruiz. Sorry. Just can't do it.

[inkedAG]

All I have to say about this is:

NO NO NO NO NO!!! PLEASE LORD NO NO NO!!!!

We just got rid of one injured overpaid fool. We don't need to replace him with another. Coupled with his crap attitude and diving ability!

[paul Lorinczi]

You Red Bulls fans are funny.

Fire the 1st year coach who is trying to build a team. There could be more to the story regarding why they are looking a Ruiz.

Osorio just may be the coach to bring out the best in Ruiz. Ruiz has not played for a Spanish speaking coach in MLS. Reports of his national team performances have been positive.

I don't think it would be devestating if they pick him.

[pat pug]

I think if Ruiz played here he would be the first player that would never win me over. If he single handedly got RBNY its first championship I would boo him when he held up the trophy.

[DaveK]

Anyone got a cell phone number for Cleetus?

[ambihl]

We don't need another mostly lame, out of shape, "name" player taking up salary cap while he sits on the bench and underperfoms now that we finnaly got rid of Captain American't.

But then, what does that leave us with?

Let's see, no forwards worth anything other then Angel (you heard me Echeverry).

More Midfielders then we know what to do with (Richards, Van Der Bergh, Stammler, Borman, Sassano, Ubiparapovich, Rojas, Pietravallo)

And a defense that at times appears to be playing for the other side at times (that's right Goldthwaite, I'm talking about you), I say we adopt the old German formation of 3-6-1 and see what happens.

[4now]

____Angel__Ruiz____
_Rojas___VDB____Richards
_Pietravallo__Stammler__
Jimenez__Cichero__Parke
_________Conway________

Well, if the new guys aren't bad, and the boys can gel, this looks OK in theory.

[DaveK]

Anyone got a cell phone number for Cleetus?

[Jeff]

With your article on Xavier's hair I thought "Red Bulls eyeing Carlos Ruiz" was going to be another article about his trendy fashion sense.

[Spike]

If nothing else think about the additional free kicks Juan Pablo will get at the top of the box thanks to the Fish.

[Keith Brown]

Screw Ruiz!! If this is the best that JCO can do. then screw him too!

Let Peter Bockman suit up and play up front with Angel, cause theres only one Peter Bockman!!

[Bill]

I completely agree Osorio hasn't shown 'the goods' (my opinion of him didn't match up with most people in Chicago - I think he rode on the coat tails of prior coaching, and current head coach, decisions and a well-in-form Blanco)

But, I don't see signing Ruiz as a mistake. Ruiz has serious fire/passion - Red Bull is seriously lacking that (what do they have exactly?)

Last place in East without Ruiz isn't going mean much come October. Need goals - If fit, can provide that and defensive distractions to open up space for Angel.

Obviously, this is a smart move. Unless, of course we're happy with last place - perhaps Ruiz wants to make the playoffs and doesn't want Red Bulls - he's got options (Crew might take 'em).

[Aljarov]

I don't like Ruiz much, I don't like is flops, but by all accounts, like Guevara, he's not half the off-field distraction he's made out to be. He's a talented, proven striker in this league and if he didn't cost NY the future (and frankly, it's not like NY has a ton of top prospects in the DEV ranks) I don't see the harm. Sure, he's unlikely to command those wages next year on the back of two down seasons, even if he put in a stellar run in...so why not? COuld be worse...it could be Jeff CUnningham....

I'd have him on Toronto.....

[Mighty]

Dude Ruiz in the Red Bulls line up will make this team much better..... Agoos go for it.........

[Haig]

Okay, Ives, here's why I have a very hostile reaction to this:

1. Ruiz has been injured all year, and as you pointed out will be playing WCQs. We need a player who will be on the field, as Angel has had his share of injury woes this season. It would be horrible to make a run to the #8 playoff spot and take the field against NE or DC fielding Echeverry up top in a 4-5-1.

2. We should give up NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING if we sign Ruiz. We may make the playoffs, but we're probably not going to threaten anyone. I'd rather see us regroup, get players who WILL be around next year (even developmentals) some time, and not mortgage a draft pick, a prospect, and future cap room on a gamble like Ruiz. We've done that before and it failed.

3. Ruiz is under contract to MLS. He'll be paid no matter what. This move reminds me of 1999 all over again, bringing in existing, contracted MLS players who no one else wants (for good reason) to put lipstick on a pig.

4. Ruiz, even when playing well, is a horse's ass. It's an insult to the fans to sign one of the players who is booed the most at Giants Stadium.

5. One of the selling points when hired Osorio was his connection to South American talent. This pipeline, I believe, just doesn't really exist. We already gave up money and a pick for him-- why should we give anything else up? If he doesn't really know how to find new players, he had better learn.

6. I have a hard time believing that this would really only be until the end of the year. Where's he going to go? What's his contract like? Will we be stuck with Ruiz as a maximum salary cap hit next year, or, worse yet, a DP? With this league, you never know.

Conclusion: only if there was a statement from the league saying "he'll cost you nothing in trade and little in salary and if you don't want him at the end of the year, you're rid of him for nothing, and if you do decide to keep him, he'll play for peanuts next year, and if he punks out he's gone and doesn't cost a thing" would I even think about it.

If we make this move under any other conditions, it's because Agoos and Osorio know that they're going to be fired and don't have a clue what to do to stop it, so they're willing to wreck our future to save their asses. Just like everyone else.

[Aguinaga]

For the uninformed... This is a public service announcement:

Please take all the ridiculous bitching and whining that is coming from most of the Red Bull fan posts above, at even the mere mention of a move, any move, with a grain of salt. You see, most of us have severe anxiety disorder due to year upon year of horrible mental and emotional abuse brought about by allegiance to our team. Likewise, some of us are deranged to the point of permanent pessimistic insanity, & unable to see the absurdly personal, ignorantly racial, and/or footballistically naive edges to our opinions. Until we experience a new stadium, a world class star player, and an MLS Cup title, all some of us will ever see is fire, brimstone, and complete abomination. And even then, all some of us will ever see is fire, brimstone, and complete abomination. :)

This has been a public service announcement.

[kco]

Maybe JCO & RBNY should start taking classes from Nicol in Boston. They can call the class "How to build a soccer club 101"

[Nando]

i know this deal sounds awful considering the his slump, injuries and salary however, the red bulls are not stupid(or at least i hope their not). Like Ives mentioned, the red bulls are negotiating with LA in order to have LA pick up some if not most of his remaining salary. Considering we're halfway through the season, the red bulls would not give much up and/or end up paying much of his remainigh salary. If he cost the red bulls $100k for the remainder of the year, that would not be a bad deal for a proven goal scorer. Plus, if we don't have many other options in the market at forward then this deal can work

[kahlva]

I think everyone's reaction (in word: nooooooooo) is totally justified.

It's a little like why the Yankees have no desire for Barry Bonds. Sure, he might (might!) start slugging home runs. But who wants that attitude, locker room cancer, and media distraction going on?

Just not worth it.

[Eugene]

The Red Bulls shouldn't give up much to get him. For sure DO NOT give up high draft picks for next year's superdraft.

I think he's a good forward and could make a good tandem with Angel, but if he takes off for even half of the 15 games remaining, the Red Bulls should look elsewhere for a more reliable/available forward.

[j1m]

Hmm. Ruiz or Etchaverry? I know who I'd point to when picking sides.

Ruiz at best could light the league on fire. At worst, he gets lost up top and carded for flopping.

But best of all, he takes a defender off of Angel. Etchaverry can't even do that.

[SCNewJersey]

I HATE RUIZ! Please stay away from New York. If we're really looking for an MLS veteran, BRING BACK MATHIS!

[A.S.]

Hell no.

I'd rather lose without Ruiz than win with him.

[Out West NYer]

Great post Aguinaga

[Ryan]

Drogba anyone

[krelmatrix]

Hm, I'm no fan of Ruiz, but he's still better than just about any Red Bull forward without the initials JPA (Dane belongs on the wing, not up front). If he's cheap to obtain in trade (lower picks, a small bit of allocation cash, some "depth" players we want to get rid of anyways) and won't eat up a big chunk of salary, then I say why not.

The question is - will his style of play fit with JPA? Will they mesh together or get in each other's ways?

[KingSnake]

That picture.

How many drinks did Ruiz have last night?

[Mikemike]

Haig -

"5. One of the selling points when hired Osorio was his connection to South American talent. This pipeline, I believe, just doesn't really exist. We already gave up money and a pick for him-- why should we give anything else up? If he doesn't really know how to find new players, he had better learn."

He did sign Rojas, who according to Ives, sounds pretty good. In additon, he got Pietravallo, with Cichero and Jimenez in the works. I think he should have gotten stuff like this happening earlier, but it looks like he does have a bit of pipeline set up.

That being said, Ruiz should not be on the team. He is a villian, someone who may be fun to root against, but never for.

As long as Angel stays healthy, I see no issue relying on Woly and Richards as the second forward. Freeman can play Richard's wing spot.

-Mike

[Ossington Mental Youth]

You guys interested in Cunny?
Give ya a good price...

[Nutmegger]

Come on people. Name me another forward who has been more productive in MLS over the last five years, even taking into account his recent injuries. Sure I hate the way he plays too, but you can't deny that Ruiz is a pure goalscorer - and that is what the team needs right now. NM

[Miguel]

Echevery: Sucks! Wolyniec: Sucks: Megaloudis: Sucks! Richards: Sucks (as a forward)! We're not getting another DP until next season. If Ruiz costs us the bag of balls we paid for, lets say, Clint Mathis, then it is a good deal.

[DCUinCT]

I can't think of a better fit than Carlos Ruiz with NY Red Bull.

[npollock]

All Ruiz has to do for us is create space for Angel. Right now Angel is smothered.

[Haig]

Not understanding that there is a sell-by date on players is one of the primary things that has destroyed this franchise.

And nutmegger, a five-year time frame is not valuable for determining how good a player currently is. Four or five years ago, Shearer, Anelka, Forssell, and Owen were top five goalscorers. Now, Owen and Forssell are still nice players, but not that calibre, and Ruiz was never that good.

[J]

Ossington, only if you take Boyens and Goldie back

[onionsack]

I think most peoples rejection has more to due with Ruiz's negative reputation as a dirty player in MLS than anything.

If we dont have to give anything of real value up then its not a bad move in and of itself.

It is a risk though, Ruiz is on a shaky knee. I assume there isnt a forward for 200K that can be had right now that the club feels can be a second striker that has ability, which no one can deny Ruiz posseses in MLS.

Remeber when Fire fans were all pissed about signing Blanco because of his rep and mexi-hate. Yeah, they arent too upset now are they? Make roster decisons on practical considerations not emotion.