Might Ruiz be Headed to New York?

By: Laurie | July 19th, 2008

Several places are reporting that Red Bulls might be looking to replace the newly-European Jozy Alitidore with another striker. And that other striker might be…Carlos Ruiz?

From Soccer by Ives:

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.

I’m thinking Red Bulls are one of the rare teams that could actually benefit from a Ruiz acquisition. And with Edson Buddle in the form of his life, it’s not like he’s doing himself any good here sitting on the bench. He ain’t getting any younger.

If New York has the money (or if, as was reported in a previous Ruiz trade rumor, the Galaxy is willing to pick up some of his salary,) this might be a chance for LA to free up some cap space and a senior roster spot.

Expect to see Carlos on the field today, spit-polished and shined up to make a good impression.

(Whether he’ll be motivated to make a good impression is another story. Probably depends on whether the alternative is staying in LA or being waived altogether.)

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David

Here is another option: play Donovan, Buddle, and Ruiz up front either in a 3-4-3 or a 4-4-3. With Klein as an attacking defender, we're almost playing a 3-4-3 as is anyway, right? But I think for either to work we need a better central defender, who we probably can't afford if we keep Ruiz. So, if we could trade Ruiz and get a good central midfielder, I think that is, unfortuantely, the best deal.
David

I prefer Buddle and Donovan as the starting strikers. Ruiz is a great back up and I would love to keep him for that reason alone. But he is a pretty expensive backup and I don't think he will be happy as a bench warmer. Gordon is not my favorite player, but he is an okay backup.
Colin

Why do I get the feeling that as soon as we trade away Ruiz, he's going to go on a scoring tear, and at the same time, Edson or Landon are going to go down with a season-ending injury. And all because the Gods just love to smite the Galaxy...