Galaxy looking to deal Ruiz to make room for Lewis

                                                     Photo by ISIphotos.com

The Los Angeles Galaxy needs money. No, not actual cash (they have sold enough David Beckham jerseys not to need actual cash). What LA needs is allocation money and salary cap space (despite what the Bottomless Galaxy Salary Cap jokes suggest).

The Galaxy is set to acquire U.S. national team defender Eddie Lewis but must first make room for him on the cap and LA is trying a variety of solutions, including trying to trade Carlos Ruiz, in order to make that salary cap space available.

So where could Ruiz wind up? Try Toronto FC, which could certainly use the services of 'El Pescadito'. Toronto has a bunch of allocation money from the myriad of trades it has made this season and could give LA the cap relief it needs to sign Lewis.

The Galaxy had been hoping to make a deal before tonight's crucial match against Chivas USA so Lewis could play in the match, but the clock is tocking on that window.

What do you think about the Galaxy putting Ruiz on the block again? Do you like the addition of Lewis on the Galaxy?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[chupacabra]

Ruiz and Guevara on the same team? If only Toronto kept Cunningham - then they could have changed their name to Locker Room Cancer FC and their supporters group could be the Red Card Boys.

[Collin]

Give Garber 2 hours and he'll have a new rule in place so that they can make it happen.

[h4]

I'd rather they let Landon go to a team in Europe and use part of the allocation money to keep Ruiz. I think Landon is ready for the challenge.

[Erik Abarca]

Ives, is Red Bull an option?

[Barry Jive and His Uptown Five]

Ruiz to Toronto seems like a no-brainer. Still surprised that LA passed on Gibbs because they have such an awful defense. Eddie Lewis is a good player but is he really what LA needs at this point?

[BanBinkley]

Why not the red bulls? they scored 4 goals last week now they don't need a striker anymore?

[Bill]

Lewis is a solid player..but at his age, what exactly are they going to get? this season, probably.

And that train wreck of Gullet has been cleaned up - why exactly isn't Ruiz getting a justifiable second chance?

ok - that's what I think..what I hope, LA gets Lewis and DC gets Ruiz (for peanuts).

[irishapple21]

Lewis will seriously upgrade the Gals' defense. Ruiz is overpriced and injury-prone. I think it would be a mistake for Toronto to take him, but what other options do they really have at this point?

[FK PIRIN]

I think dealing Ruiz away is a mistake. The Galaxy should try to get Donovan to Europe, so that they can start building the team around Beckham and Ruiz. Buddle has been on fire, but could easily go back to his old form. Ruiz has been a solid striker in MLS for many years.

Also getting rid of Donovan, which obviously would hurt the team in the beginning, would be better for the Galaxy in the long run. They could use the cap space to bring on solid support players that they haven't had especially on the defensive end. If Donovan leaves at the end of the season for instance, then they would have to fill two sets of shoes, Ruiz and Donovan. Since Ruiz isn't likely to move to Europe any time soon, it makes sense to deal with Donovan now and build the team up now, rather than wait till the end of the season and have more work to do.

Even if Donovan weren't going to move to Europe, they might still consider trading him to get good support players and salvage their season with hoping of being really strong next year.

[TJ]

And so the Galaxy were too quick to pull the trigger on Lewis - if they only waited longer they could be in the news for claiming Feilhaber instead of Lewis. Another mistake by the Galaxy again and this time we can't blame it all on Lalas!!! We need a GM that knows what they are doing!! Bravo and Payne have no clue - what a freakin' mess!

[FCSuffield]

any truth to NY lookin at Sainey Touray and Kandji as summer signings

[shirteesdotnet]

I would have much rather LAG get Lewis AND sign Gibbs, and also trade Ruiz. This would work till the end of the season. If Gibbs still doesnt like playing with LA, then trade him at the end of the season. What a baby.

[wendel]

i really really hope ruiz doesnt go to TFC. that said if la can swing this it might be the first good move they've made since signing beckham in the first place.

[Felix]

The Galaxy are desperately poor on defense so they acquire an ............aging winger???? Are you sure Lalas was fired?

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Och, please no, unless its only until the end of the season and we dont have to take on his salary next year cuz dude is Cunningham part 2 with a massive salary. Like i said, IF necessary, only until the end of the season.

[Frankie]

As long as Ruiz doesn't end up in New England, I don't care where he goes. Ruiz had great talent but forgot that you need to stay vertical to score goals. Don't want him anywhere near Foxborough.

[taboulah]

Gordon is not a good option at striker. They should move Ruiz only if they can get a decent central defender out of the deal. Ante Jazic can be included in the trade.

[Mr. Goodbar]

I could care less, but can you put up the picture of CJ Brown kicking Carlos Ruiz in the Pescaditos again...I love that picture.

[Sin2R]

to RSL? Jason looks like he will try anything.. just look at the Mathis signing.

[TCompton]

If I were Toronto, I'd be perfectly happy with letting the Galaxy sweat it out until the very last minute. The last thing Toronto needs is a team climbing past them into a playoff slot.

[Matt M]

Not a bad move, in my mind.

I thought Ruiz may have been past his prime even before he was hurt.

And LA needs a Left Half or Left fullback bad. More than a third striker.

Lewis is healthy and should have a couple more years in him.

[Olo]

Is Central Defender Marcos Mantilla still available?

[olo]

Matias Mantilla

[giaco]

Toronto with Amado, Ruiz, & Barrett...

There's a headline in there somewhere.

[Al17]

Ruiz will play for the Fire. Big Ditka said so and this will happen. The Galaxy will meet the Fire in the Finals and the Fire will win.

[olo]

Tyrone Marshall back to L.A.?

[olo]

Lider Marmol to team with Dominguez in Central D?

[Tony in Quakeland]

Lewis at left back (rather than left mid) is exactly what the Galaxy need. He would shore up the left side and the defense, and provide service to bookend Beckham’s. Laugh if you will, but if Cobie can calm and refocus the team, they could be title contenders. (Well, not since the Revs got Benny…)

[kpugs]

As long as the dirtiest player and biggest cheater in the history of the league doesn't end up in New York I'm fine with it.

Maybe it is our loss...we need offense. But I don't want this guy on my team.

[seven]

I don't want Ruiz in Toronto.

[Carlos Ruiz]

Senor n Senorita,
Ay, I love LA mucho. No trade me please favor. If u no trade me, I not score next week againts USA.

[SonicDeathMonkey]

Name one team in Europe that has come out and said they are intrested in LandyCakes. He's not going to leave. He's only been talking about Europe in order to "butch up" and look like a real man.

[Damiiano]

Ives,

Do you think Mo Johnston would only take Ruiz if Galaxy pick up part of his salary?

Just a thought
Cheers

[Abel]

Is Abel Xavier still available? He wasn't the probema!

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Damiiano-
I would assume prob not, i think they are trying to move him to open up capspace for a better defence and mid. IF desperate they might swallow 100/150k but thats highly doubtful.

[Olo]

Ruiz and Jazic for Nyarko and Marmol?

[Rashid]

I want Red Beard back!! Lalas would have never let this happen!! I know that he would have figured out a way to have Lewis, Gibbs, LD, Beckham, Ruiz and Feilhaber all on the team at the same time!!

In all seriousness I feel as if we should try to get rid of Lewis for Benny. Benny's younger than Eddie and has a personality that would work well in LA and he's a UCLA product so he would feel at home.

[Olo]

Chad Marshall back to the G-Men!

Chad is Rad!

[john]

well they're trying to make room for lewis so therefore LA probably asking for next to nothing... if you are MO, would you take Ruiz and try to make a push to the playoff? i would.

[Jordan]

Olo-
The Crew would never make that trade. That could possibly be the worst possible trade Columbus could ever make. We just got Noonan. Let TFC have the locker room cancer

[ravenrooney]

I could definitely see Jason Kreis trying to acquire Ruiz for his RSL squad. RSL desperately needs a proven striker, and Ruiz could be just what the Doctor (Deuchar) needs to compliment him.

[brentmcd]

would anyone really want the flopping fish?

[Nathanhj]

I'm fine with shipping Ruiz to TFC, but I would have been a lot happier with claiming Feilhaber than Lewis, I can tell you that right now.

I actually think Lewis was better than Gibbs. Lewis is in shape and in form. Gibbs hasn't played in 2 years and god knows what his shape and form is.

Lews provides options on the left, which has been a gaping hole for the G's all season long. I personally would keep him at left mid and put Jazic at left back. This instantly gives the G's better possession in the midfield, one of the key things they need to provide cover for their mediocre back line. Further his crosses from the left are still hella dangerous and open up the attack from the other side of the field, forcing more opposing team resources to be shifted to dealing with that.

On the other hand, what the G's really need is a solid d-mid like Feilhaber, who is an upgrade over everyone on the G's roster at that position. H3ll, he's probably a better striker than Alan Gordon too.

If it takes getting rid of Ruiz to get Lewis, then that's fine. He's been back from injury for almost two months now and produced precious little. He hasn't looked dangerous, he's tended towards selfishness, his creativity is lacking, and he seems a step slow. I think that could all be temporary, but it hasn't shown improvement over the past several weeks. Ditch him and his salary now, pick-up Lewis and keep the Donovan-Buddle partnership going.

I think that combo could let the G's back in to the playoffs and maybe even beat win their initial playoff series.

Then let the new braintrust figure out how to deal with the shambles that was created starting with the firing of Sigi Schmidt.

[rhybread]

Feilhaber is the furthest thing from a d-mid. I'd cry if the onus was on him to break up attacks as they're beginning to form.

[Kyle]

I'd rather call it a season then see Ruiz in TFC red..

[Chinese Taipei]

The Galaxy have two good D-Mids that are hurt right now. Franchino and McDonald (future stud) are going to be a good combo.

After Eddie Lewis, the only missing piece would be a central defender to add depth. The G-Men already added Dominguez. Troy Roberts has good potential in the middle, but is also hurt right now. Sean Franklin is going to be a star at Right Back and Mike Randolph is perfect as Left Back with Lewis on the squad.

Ruiz for Borchers?

[Jon]

Eddie Lewis will be great for chemistry, Galaxy needs veteran leadership right now. A stedying influence in the midfield is necessary. A punk like Feilhaber is not what L.A. needs.

[Heffe]

RSL was looking to sign a forward from Argentina, but it looks like that isn't going to happen. This late to the deadline, I am thinking if RSL add somebody, they are going to have to get the player from MLS. I wouldn't rule Ruiz out, but I don't know if I would like to see him come to RSL.

[Guatemalteco]

Ruiz was never given a chance under Ruud Gullit. I think he only played in two full games after scoring 4 goals in one game for GUA. He has a lot left in the tank this year.

LA should be looking to trade Vagenas, Pires, Jazic, Gordon or one of their other scrubs. Good strikers are not easy to come by in MLS.

[Olo]

Carlos Ruiz to the Red Bulls for Jeff Parke!

[glorygloryRSL]

no FREAKING way would Jason Kreis EVER bring Ruiz in to RSL!

There isn't a player in MLS that is probably more despised, and the vets like Rimando, Dema, Cletus, Borchers, Wingert, Beckerman, Williams, would all scratch their eyes out before playing with El Floporito!

[plo]

It looks like it will be Real Salt Lake or Toronto. Toronto probably needs him more if they want to compete in the east.

[realslfan]

You guys are dreaming about Ruiz trade value. In essence, LAG will have to pay someone to take him off their hands. His salary is greatly in excess of his current form. Although he potentially could have something to add in the right situation, his $460K of guaranteed salary is too much. Even at half that amount it would be debatable unless he returns to his form circa 2006.

[Rod]

He hasn't even played for the Galaxy this season. His form has been good for his national side.

[freak]

What the heck happened here?????????