Whit Merrifield was released by the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, just before their final series of the first half of the season. Despite being a two-time All-Star prior to joining the Phillies, Merrifield’s performance in Philadelphia fell short. He had a .199/.277/.295 batting line in 174 plate appearances and played various positions, including left field, second base, and third base. While he had a memorable moment with a three-run homer against the Mets in London, he struggled with runners in scoring position, hitting just .152 in such situations.
Merrifield, 35, was signed to a one-year, $8 million deal at the start of spring training, expected to be a versatile option either in left field or as an infielder. However, his performance deteriorated, and the Phillies’ commitment to him was reduced to about $3.3 million with the season nearing the trade deadline.
The timing of his release suggests the Phillies may be preparing to make a trade deadline acquisition that would have required Merrifield’s roster spot. By releasing him now, they provide him a chance to join another team before the deadline. The Phillies are actively seeking a right-handed hitting outfielder, and Brent Rooker from the Oakland Athletics is a potential target. Rooker is having a strong season with a .279/.361/.538 line and 18 home runs, but Oakland’s asking price is expected to be high due to his contract status.
Infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson was promoted from Triple-A to replace Merrifield on the roster.
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