Phillies reportedly sign 3-time All-Star Whit Merrifield

As the Philadelphia Phillies look to get over the hump in October, they’ve reportedly added three-time All-Star Whit Merrifield.

According to MLB Network‘s Jon Morosi, the Phillies and Merrifield have agreed to a one-year/$8 million deal. The deal will pay Merrifield $7 million in 2024, and then either the Phillies will exercise his $8 million club option for 2025, or pay him a $1 million buyout, per Morosi’s reporting.

The 35-year-old spent the first seven years of his career with the Kansas City Royals, often getting mentioned as a potential trade target of the Phillies. In August of 2022, Merrifield was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, where he spent the last year-and-a-half. He slashed .272/.318/.382 with 11 home runs, 67 RBIs and a .700 OPS in 2023 for the Blue Jays.

Merrifield gives the Phillies another right-handed bat, and someone capable of playing just about anywhere on the diamond. While he’s a natural second baseman, that spot is filled by Bryson Stott, although Merrifield could spell him against tough left-handed pitchers. He also has extensive experience at all three outfield positions, and one would think he would be capable of playing third base if Alec Bohm were injured or just needed a day off.

While Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and manager Rob Thomson have seemed to indicate in recent weeks that Johan Rojas probably will be the Opening Day center fielder, the addition of Merrifield gives them an insurance option if the Phillies choose to option the young outfielder to Triple-A at any point this season. Merrifield also may very well see a good chunk of the left field at-bats over Brandon Marsh when the Phillies are facing a left-handed hitter pitcher.

We’ll have more on this story as details come in…

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