Phillies, Whit Merrifield in agreement on 1-year deal
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The Phillies have their depth situation figured out as they have agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal with superutilityman Whit Merrifield.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network first reported the news.
The deal includes a club option for $8 million with a $1 million buyout, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Merrifield’s salary this year will be $7 million, and with bonuses, he can max out at $16.6 million over two seasons.
The 35-year-old earned his third All-Star selection last season with the Toronto Blue Jays, hitting .272/.318/.382 in his first full season with the team after being traded there in 2022 by the Kansas City Royals. Merrifield hit 11 home runs, drove in 67 runs, and went 26 for 36 in stolen bases.
In eight seasons, is a career .284 hitter with a 102 OPS+ and 201 stolen bases. He has played all around the diamond, primarily all three outfield positions and second base.
The addition makes so much sense for the Phils. They were looking for a right-handed utility guy, and they are getting exactly that with Merrifield.
While he may not be the best defender anymore, he is still a solid contact hitter off the bench.
The Phils had a depth issue, and it is all figured out now. And, Merrifield has a pretty perfect name for Philadelphia.
