Phillies' shocking release of veteran Whit Merrifield shows they mean business
Merrifield had struggled all season with the Phillies, but it seemed like he might have had more time.
The Philadelphia Phillies made a major roster decision on Friday afternoon, releasing veteran utility player Whit Merrifield after what can only be described as a disappointing free-agent experiment.
In the corresponding roster move, the Phillies are calling up infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Merrifield's spot on the 26-man roster.
Prior to tonight’s game against the Oakland Athletics, the Phillies released utility player Whit Merrifield. To fill his spot on the 26-man roster, infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson was recalled from Lehigh Valley (AAA).
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 12, 2024
Merrifield signed on in the spring to an $8 million, one-year deal with a club option for 2025. He was supposed to be a role player to cover multiple spots all over the diamond. The one spot he didn't cover with the Phillies was at the plate.
The 35-year-old slashed .199/.277/.295 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 53 games. He has chipped in 11 steals, but he wasn't the player we had expected.
Phillies' shocking release of veteran Whit Merrifield shows they mean business
The front office obviously didn't see enough in Merrifield's game to keep him around for the stretch run, and the red-hot Wilson forced their hand with his play for the IronPigs.
Merrifield was striking out at a career-low 10.9 percent rate and walking at a career-high 8.6 percent rate this season. He was also chasing less than he ever had in his previous eight seasons and was underperforming his .235 xBA.
The problem lay in the contact he was making, running the highest ground ball rate of his career at 46.7 percent with a career-low 16.8 percent line drive rate and 83 mph average exit velocity, all leading to a career-worst .209 BABIP.
In calling up Wilson, the Phillies have signaled that they aren't going to wait around. After the rousing sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers this week, the Phillies can see that they have a clear window to win this season, and they mean business. With the end goal of a World Series championship well within their sights after surging to a 61-32 record in the first half, there's no room on the roster for underperformers.
The 29-year-old Wilson has been demolishing Triple-A pitching recently. Well, more than just recently. Since May 12, he's slashing .300/.397/.667 with 16 home runs and 42 RBI in 40 games. On the season, he's batting .240/.340/.487 with 18 home runs, 55 RBI and 14 steals in 71 games.
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