The Pirates and shortstop Jordy Mercer have discussed a contract extension, though an agreement isn’t imminent, as Rum Bunter first reported and Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review confirmed. The two sides have had “a little, but not a lot of talk,” a source told Biertempfel.
Mercer, a client of the Legacy Agency, is coming off a season in which he tied a career high in games played (149) and logged a personal-best 584 plate appearances. The 30-year-old wasn’t particularly effective, though, having hit a modest .256/.328/.374 (closely in line with his .257/.313/.377 lifetime mark) with 11 home runs and one stolen base. Mercer also didn’t rate well in the field, which was abnormal relative to the previous two years, as he finished toward the bottom of the majors at his position in Defensive Runs Saved (minus-9) and Ultimate Zone Rating (minus-8.4).
Mercer, who’s under control through the 2018 campaign, is scheduled to make his second trip through arbitration later this winter. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects a $4MM arbitration award for Mercer, but it might not come to that. Pittsburgh doled out three extensions to regulars last year and could hand Mercer what should be an inexpensive deal early in 2017.
I don’t know about this. I would prefer Adam Frazier and Kevin Newman be the Pirates 2B and SS of the future.
I quess the Pirates want to extend everyone not named Gerrit Cole.
Cole hasn’t exactly put up the prodigy numbers expected of him. He’s consistently hurt, in questionable condition, and seems to have attitude issues. Add Scott Boras to the mix and I’d be hesitant, too. That’s not to say the Pirates have not made some mistakes in this relationship, but he flat-out was not an ace last year by any definition. Jeff Locke was the best starter in the first half, Nova and Taillon in the second.
He’s a Boras guy. The Pirates wouldn’t be able to throw enough money at him anyway. Pittsburgh would never pay more than $15M a year for a pitcher. Especially Cole who’s still got something to prove. He’s a guy that teams will pay over $20M a year to get. Even if they’re overpaying. Boras would never let Cole sign for a “hometown discount.”
If Cole wanted to stay in Pittsburgh, Bora’s would make that happen. He does what his client wants.
The Pirates paid a huge signing bonus when they drafted him. An extension wouldn’t be too much.
True, he had a lousy year in 2016. I’m worried about his K/9 dropping and he’s not missing bats. He might rely too much on his slider. However, I think he has great upside as proven by his 2015 season, so extending him while his stock is low might be good. Unless they want to have an angry bitter discussion every February for the next 3-4 years.
Why bother?
Potentially lock down Mercer so he’s more palatable and cost predictive when added to a deal? I dont know….who’s the source on something like this….and why would that even be asked of someone. Agent maybe i suppose. Mercer could know he’ll be pushed out in Pittsburgh and having an extension could give him some stability if traded.
Added to a deal? If anything, it would give them stability long-term if they did want to trade Newman in a Q deal.
My point is that if he’s cheap and contollable it adds to his value for anyone….Pirates as well
My point is there is no reason to sign him to an extension. He’s not worth much and non-tendering him will keep him cheap and controllable. His numbers are that of a utility fielder and with Pittsburgh he gets to start.
I’d agree Stymeedone….unless the Pirates believe theyd lose money shopping for his replacement on the market.
My guess is that they would buy up his arb years remaining and maybe another year on the cheap, just giving them some cost certainty going forward. Pirates have gotten some cheap extensions in the past, Nova below market deal, Freese below market probably the same goal with Mercer.
Rob Biertempfel did not break this news, Pittsburgh Pirate website Rum Bunter did. Rum Bunter posted this 5 hours before Biertempfel had anything. Please credit the correct outlets, thanks.
link to rumbunter.com
Thanks. I’ve credited Rum Bunter, but that outlet’s not on the mainstream radar when it comes to breaking news. That’s how its report fell through the cracks.
Mercer is a career .315/.375/.480 vs LHP. Once Newman is ready Mercer can shift to a utility infield role. He’s a useful ballplayer.
To all those saying “when Newman is ready”- RumBunter is claiming the Pirates are trying to acquire Quintana with a package centered around Glasnow and Newman.
Will they take Tucker instead? Haha
I think you’re safe. Of course it depends on secondary pieces, but I would guess the Sox prefer the Astros offer of Martes/Tucker over Glasnow/Newman.
I like this move mercer is one of most underrated SS in the game if not the most underrated. Has a solid bat, nothing special but he is consistent for .250+ batting average every year. His glove and defense is also very much above average and defensivly he is one of the most sound SS in the game.
generally about average bat, generally above average defense. Nothing spectacular but nice player to have. I’d chalk up last years defense to a fluke… few of the pirates had good seasons last year..
Newman and Tucker both have some question marks on their future, makes sense to try to keep Mercer around even if one or both turn out.
It all depends on the price tag that comes with it.
Jordy Mercer is the epitome of “serviceable”. He’s fine, you could do better, you could do worse.
The only way this makes sense is if they intend to trade Newman and don’t think Cole Tucker will develop (never liked that pick).
If they trade Glasnow and Newman for Quintana, I wouldn’t love it, but I could live with it.
They cannot trade Bell or Meadows. Those are pieces they wouldn’t be able to replace easily, if at all.
Next up is, extending contracts to Jaso. They already extended Stewart and possibly Mercer, might as well add Jaso to the mix and win the Pennant. Harrison had one and I bet N.H wish he could take that one back.