*Photo from Sportsnet*
Another free agent domino has fallen. The Philadelphia Phillies and INF/OF Whit Merrifield have agreed to a one year, $7 million contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Phillies have confirmed the signing.
The deal guarantees Merrifield $8 million, as his contract pays him $7 million in 2024 and comes with a $8 million team option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout. Merrifield gives the Phillies a right handed bench bat who can play second base and both corner outfield spots, giving them a safety valve in an unclear outfield picture.
Johan Rojas is still trying to become an everyday center fielder and Brandon Marsh is still recovering from knee surgery. Add that on top of sub optimal defense from Nick Castellanos and the Phillies were in the market for another outfielder. Merrifield provides some extra depth out there.
Last season, Merrifield was selected to his 3rd career All Star Game in his first full season with the Toronto Blue Jays. He slashed .272/.318/.382 with a 94 OPS+, hitting 27 doubles and 11 home runs to go with 67 RBI's in 145 games. He went hitless in two plate appearances in the playoffs.
Merrifield has played for the Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals across 8 seasons of big league action, debuting in 2016. He has a .284/.330/.420 slash line with a 102 OPS+ to his name, hitting 90 home runs and 247 doubles with 470 RBI's and 201 stolen bases in 1,052 games. He has one hit in 8 plate appearances over 4 playoff games.
With the Blue Jays last season, Merrifield spent his time almost evenly split between second base and left field while also appearing in right field for 6 games. His ability to steal bases will also aid the Phillies, as Merrifield has led the AL in stolen bases 3 times and all of baseball once.
The Phillies currently have Bryson Stott as their starting second baseman while Rojas, Marsh, Castellanos, Jake Cave, and Cristian Pache are the options in the outfield with Kyle Schwarber shifting to an everyday DH and Bryce Harper becoming an everyday first baseman.
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