The Phillies stated on Friday that they have let go of veteran utility player Whit Merrifield and brought up infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Merrifield inked an $8 million deal with the Phillies this offseason, consisting of a $7 million salary for this year and a guaranteed $1 million buyout if the club declines his $8 million option for 2025. Despite struggling with a .199/.277/.295 batting line in 174 plate appearances this season, Merrifield still has around $3.01 million left from his salary plus the buyout. He can now sign with any team, which would only owe him the prorated league minimum, deducting that amount from what the Phillies owe. However, Philadelphia will still be responsible for the majority of his remaining contract.
While Merrifield’s tenure with the Phillies didn’t work out, the 35-year-old showed solid hitting ability as recently as last season in Toronto, posting a .272/.318/.382 slash line with 11 home runs, 28 doubles, a triple, 26 steals, a 6.1% walk rate, and a 17.1% strikeout rate. His offensive production has declined since his peak seasons in his late twenties when he led the American League in hits for two consecutive years with the Royals. The extent of his decline has been both sudden and unexpected.
Merrifield still demonstrates excellent contact skills, striking out in only 10.9% of his plate appearances. His 8.6% walk rate this year matches a career-high mark for the three-time All-Star. However, he has struggled to hit the ball with authority, with an average exit velocity of just 83 mph and a hard-hit rate of 17.4%. Despite entering the 2024 season with a career line-drive rate of 24.8%, he has managed to line only 16.8% of his batted balls this season.
Merrifield didn’t reach the majors until his age-27 season with the Royals but quickly became a key player known for his hitting and base-stealing prowess. From 2016 to 2020, he posted a .295/.342/.445 slash line with 58 home runs and 119 stolen bases. He led the majors in hits in 2018 and 2019 and topped the American League in stolen bases in 2017, 2018, and 2021.
Given Merrifield’s track record, affordable price tag, and defensive versatility spanning second base, third base, and outfield positions, he is likely to attract new opportunities soon. Despite his disappointing 2024 performance, several teams in need of a veteran right-handed hitter and help at second base or left field could consider him.
Teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Mariners, all contending for postseason spots, have struggled to get production from second base this year and might see Merrifield as a potential solution with a change of scenery. Rob Bradford of WEEI noted that Boston wasn’t interested in Merrifield this past offseason, but circumstances could prompt a reevaluation. Additionally, Merrifield’s former team, the Kansas City Royals, expressed interest in acquiring a versatile bat for both infield and outfield positions, as confirmed by general manager J.J. Picollo recently.
