The more you win the easier it can be to sign veteran players like Whit Merrifield.
That’s one of the reasons Merrifield agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend.
The veteran infielder and outfielder needed most of the offseason to get a deal. Many quality free agents are still waiting.
He arrived in Clearwater, Fla., on Monday with the rest of the position players as the entire team prepared for its first workout together.
Merrifield spoke for the first time with the Philly media about the deal and his reasons for signing.
It wasn’t just Philly’s recent winnings seasons, including a 2022 World Series appearance and a trip to the NL Championship Series last season. What Philly is building, well, word is spreading.
“The reputation of this team and clubhouse gets around,” Merrifield said to the Philadelphia Inquirer and other outlets. “To be a part of it was something I wanted to do. Watching playoff games in Philadelphia, I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to see what the Bank (Citizens Bank Park) was like during the playoffs.”
Merrifield may just get his chance. The Phillies are relatively intact from a season ago, when they finished with the top NL Wild Card berth and then beat the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves en route to the NLCS. The Phillies lost in seven games to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Phillies signed him as insurance after outfielder Brandon Marsh had arthroscopic surgery a couple of weeks ago. Marsh is expected to be ready for Opening Day. But if he’s not, then the Phillies are covered in the outfield with Merrifield, Nick Castellanos, Johan Rojas, Cristian Pache, Jake Cave and, in a pinch, Kyle Schwarber.
Last season in 145 games with Toronto he slashed .272/.318/.382/.700 with 11 home runs, 67 RBI and 26 stolen bases. He is above-average fielder with three All-Star appearance, including last season with the Blue Jays. He can also play second base.
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