Whit Merrifield was formally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday to a one-year deal with a 2025 option.
Right-hander Kaleb Ort was designated for assignment by the Phillies in order to create space on the 40-man roster for Merrifield. Last Monday, the Miami Marlins placed Ort on waivers and Philadelphia grabbed him. Later on Monday, Ort was traded for cash to the Baltimore Orioles.
With the Phillies, Merrifield will don No. 9, making history as the first player to do so since Travis Jankowski in 2021.
“Bat with the right hand. He really is able to play all around the diamond. “He informed me that he felt at ease in every situation,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson stated on Monday. “My main positions will be outfield, corner, and second base. Perhaps earn some practice at third base. In the past, he has played first base. The ball will be put into play by him. He has some subtle pop and hits mediocrely. He’s a genuinely nice man that will fit right in with our clubhouse.
After blasting 11 home missiles and driving in 67 runs with the Toronto Blue Jays the previous season, the 35-year-old now plays for Philadelphia. In 2023, he was selected to his third All-Star squad; however, over the latter two months of the season, his output drastically decreased. In his last 47 games with the Blue Jays, he hit.212 with a.538 on-base plus slugging percentage; in his first 98 games, he hit.303 with a.781 OPS.
Merrifield provides the Phillies with speed, a right-handed bat, and positional versatility. With the Kansas City Royals, he led the American League three times in his career and has 201 stolen bases. Even at 34, he stole 26 bats in the previous season.
Superstar Bryce Harper of the Phillies told reporters on Sunday that he was “really excited about Whit.” “We talked about two weeks ago, me and him, had some conversation about Philly.”
Merrifield has experience playing a variety of positions, but he spent the majority of his career as a second baseman.
Merrifield played 73 games at second base and 74 games in left field during his final season with Toronto. Moreover, he appeared in five games at right field. He has played 84 games in center field, five at third base, and 15 at first base during his career.
