Thursday, December 13, 2018

TIGERS TO SIGN JORDY MERCER


The Tigers have reached a deal with free agent shortstop Jordy Mercer according to serval media sources. The one-year deal will pay Mercer $5.25M in guaranteed salary, with another $250K available in incentives.
The 32-year-old Mercer will be switching teams for the first time, as he has spent his entire professional career in the Pirates organization since Pittsburgh selected him in the third round of the 2008 draft. Mercer developed into an unspectacular but steady regular for the Bucs at shortstop, generating 7.6 fWAR and hitting .257/.317/.383 with 54 homers over 2928 PA since the start of the 2013 season. Defensively, Mercer’s glove work has dipped below the average threshold over the last three seasons, as per Defensive Runs Saved (-19) and UZR/150 metrics.
Mercer represents just the type of veteran stopgap at shortstop at the Tigers was looking for this winter, as Jose Iglesias was heading into free agency. Youngsters Dawel LugoWilli Castro and Isaac Paredes are all waiting in the wings as Detroit’s potential infielders of the future, so a one-year relationship is ideal for Mercer and the Tigers. The club could even explore dealing Mercer at the trade deadline depending on how things play out.

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