Multiple Former Guardians Sign With Padres

Originally posted on Cleveland Guardians on SI
By Tommy Wild | Last updated Jan 4, 2024 11:38 PM ET

Taking a look at what teams former Cleveland Guardians players have ended up on is always a fun walk down memory lane. It can be nostalgic to look back at one-time rosters and see where some of those players have ended up.

The San Diego Padres signed a couple of ex-Clevelanders to their roster that Guardians fans will certainly remember.

Oscar Mercado

Oscar Mercado was an exciting prospect when he was called up. He debuted in 2019 and hit .269 with an OPS of .761 in his rookie season. However, Mercado could never recreate those stellar numbers of the next three seasons.

The Guardians designated Mercado for assignment in June of 2022. He played one game for the Philadelphia Phillies only to be DFA'd by that organization. Cleveland picked Oscar back up off waivers where he played in five more games ... and then was DFA'd yet again. Mercado played the 2023 season with the St. Louis Cardinals receiving 32 plate appearances.

Now, Oscar is joining the Padres on a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.

Kevin Plawecki

One of Mercado's teammates in 2019 was catcher Kevin Plawecki who appeared in 59 games for the then-named Indians.

Plawecki started his career with the New York Mets before coming to Cleveland. After his single season with Cleveland, we went to the Boston Red Sox for three seasons and made a brief appearance with the Texas Rangers too.

Plawecki and Mercado are teammates again as the Padres also signed him to a minor league deal for the 2024 season. Plawecki's deal also includes an invite to spring training.

This article first appeared on Cleveland Guardians on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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