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 Lugo, Willi 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment