4:33PM: The Tigers have officially announced the signing.
2:35PM: The Tigers have brought back veteran shortstop Jordy Mercer on a new contract, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (Twitter link). The deal is a minor league pact with an invitation to Detroit’s big league Spring Training camp, as per Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter).
After signing a one-year, $5.25MM deal with the Tigers last winter, Mercer hit .270/.310/.438 over 271 plate appearances, despite missing much of the first half of the season with quad injuries. That roughly matches the .256/.316/.383 slash line Mercer posted over the first 2996 PA of his career from 2012-18 as a member of the Pirates, and he’ll now head back to the Motor City as a depth option.
Niko Goodrum is currently Detroit’s top choice at shortstop, though given Goodrum’s multi-positional versatility and the presence of both younger Willi Castro and now Mercer, the Tigers are arming themselves with some extra depth should they decide to again move Goodrum around the diamond. The 33-year-old Mercer gives the Tigers more veteran experience in that regard, as Castro has only 30 MLB games under his belt. Beyond just shortstop, Mercer could also back up elsewhere around the infield, as he has some experience as a first, second, and third baseman over his career.
Not sure why but on a minor league deal…..no harm. I’ve seen worse guys getting deals.
True, even Major League Deals.
better to have Willie and Harold playing full time at Toledo than sitting on the bench in detroit. Mercer will be a fine Utility player.
Love Mercer’s work ethic and attitude. Hope he’s healthy and has a great year
Undersized white guy who sucks at baseball? Omg HIS WORK ETHICZZZ
Mercer is 6’3”. If you’re going to push false narratives, at least pick ones that apply to the player.
Jose Iglesias was a much better option but you know the Tigers. If their contract is up they can’t afford them Last year the Tigers paid Mercer about $2,7 million more than what Iglesias got. Iglesias is like a vacuum, and Mercer not so.
Woof
“We suck, here’s more proof.”
Given the current state of the Tigers, what exactly do YOU expect?? Since you are SUCH an expert….
Minor league deals, especially on a servicable veteran on a rebuilding team is THE NORM, you idiot. Every teams signs them. Clear enough??
Or do we even need to start shredding the stupidity suggested by your name? Right there, case closed, shows you are a complete moron.
By the way, low class when you self upvote.
But being an internet tough guy and USING CAPS while calling others idiots and morons for making a joke isn’t being low class at all.
Someone has serious anger issues I’m guessing. Internet keyboard warrior again.
@cleptrash lol so angry! stay down, stay garbage LMAO
8man
Admit your were smoked, cause you were. (PSA)
let’s see how long I can string you along. now, come along and respond like a good doggy
At least they’re trying to field an MLB team this year. It would be nice if they got Billy Hamilton and/or Jarrod Dyson too.
The only reason this guy should get any playing time is if they end up Trading Niko Goodrum for a decent Prospect
why trade for a decent prospect when you already have a decent player. Keep Niko. if you never keep a player who is performing, the rebuild will never end.
The tigers are still at a point where they’re trying to flip players at the deadline. Goodrum is still young enough where you might think about holding onto him. But the tigers are still a couple years from being competitive so might as well try to get some extra prospects
The idea is to get an elite prospect, not a decent one. Niko and Boyd are both decent. The Tigers need an elite bat!
Like Senzel?
Do you think that Niko would bring back that elite bat? I think it’s more likely he becomes one.
Niko packages with Boyd could return an impact bat. While I share you’re hope that Niko excels, I think Reyes or Stewart have a better shot at above average offensive contributions.
You share you are hope that Niko excels? What does that even mean?
niko is no more than a utility piece on any good team. he does not sweeten the pot on any prospect return.
Everyone needs a good utility player
I say go big and trade Boyd and Faedo or Perez to the Phillies for Bohm.. I’m not sure if it would suffice, but it looks like Philly could use a cost effective pitcher like Boyd.
Perhaps Goodrum will be packaged with Boyd
Phillies missed out on an important piece here of their obvious goal of getting the 2013 Pirates back together.
and took the worst of the two, Josh Harrison!
They also had a good part of that rotation at one point or another (Burnett, Morton, Worley, now Liriano). Just needed Cole and Locke.
And if he ends up making the team, he’ll be presumably $4.6 mill. cheaper than last year’s ridiculous $5.25 mill. (for a middling shortstop on a rebuilding team).
Barring a terrible spring or an injury Mercer likely breaks camp as the Tigers SS with Goodrum contuining as a super utility
Nah. They want to showcase Niko at one spot for trade value. Mercer is a dead dog AAAA player now, time to go to Toledo and toil with Injury Replacements, err…..I mean Mud Hens
Mercer will be a good coach somewhere someday. Smart dude that did a lot with limited physical talents.
He sucks
Rude
Pot…kettle
Have mercy!
great for Jordy. has mostly been a solid all round guy and decent guy.
hes the type of guy you hope you have a roster spot for but not make one for.
I kinda figure it was DET, PHI or PIT for him
Nice deal.. Tigers needed a real SS on the roster, plus Jordy has always hits lefties really well throughout his career.
Should have signed La Forge instead
Would prefer with Beverly Crusher.
Reg Barclay would hit cleanup for these tigers
I really liked Mercer when he was with the Pirates. Hope he stays healthy and has a solid season with the Tigers
What makes sense about this deal is that they are realizing that Goodrum is not a starting major league shortstop. At this stage of the Tigers’ rebuild, let the job be Willi Castro’s to lose, or whichever kid it was I saw playing for the Connecticut Tigers last year. He really seemed to be able to get his bat on the ball and hit it really hard. That game was exciting because I got to see Riley Greene as well!
The Tigers played Niko a good amount at SS last year and he held his own and then some. I’d be fine if he turned into Mark Sieman. He can only get better with reps.
Yeah, I’m sure you’d be ok with him turning into an 8 war monster like Semien was last season.
And I think I wouldn’t mind if Trevor Williams turns into Max Scherzer either.
Willi is not ready to take over the SS job yet. He was over matched last season when he was called up, and needs more time to groom in Toledo.
Players who “play the game the right way” are absolutely valuable, especially to a young club. On top of that, these players are coming from incredibly diverse backgrounds, and signing good characters with the potential for a little left in the tank (or not) can help round out prospects’ abilities to deal with being challenged and staying focused. Worst case scenario, you invested very little. It’s not like it’s going to have an effect on signing Yasiel Puig.
Oh my god enough of this garbage
Please explain how his comment is garbage.
If you don’t understand, you never will. I can’t spoon feed it to you.
Can you imagine if that was the attitude of the educational system? There was nothing “garbage” about the post. Positivity is a choice.
As with the starting pitchers being injured. Can’t really judge Mercer or Harrison, as they also were fighting the injury bug.
I like this signing for Detroit. Jordy Mercer has been a solid defensive shortstop throughout his career. It doesn’t hurt to have a guy like that on the roster, especially when Niko Goodrum is the projected SS. Mercer can help the pitching staff if Goodrum’s defense falters.
Any offense from Mercer is a bonus.
Jordy was always a class act with the Pirates and I think an under rated shortstop.This is a good signing for Detroit as he can still do a decent job and help the younger players.I am surprised though at the suggested versatility as I only knew him to play shortstop.
Last year the dead weight award went to Beckham…This years dead weight award goes to Jordy Mercer…Sad part is, he’ll take bats away from Niko. If Mercer was signed to be the utility player, then what are they gonna do with Harold Castro?
Did you actually watch Mercer last season once he got healthy? He is hardly dead weight. Good signing by the Tigers and I predict he goes north with the club and Goodrum is super utility which is what he does best.
Once again. If Niko goes to super utility, what do they do with Castro and Lugo? And YES, I DID actually watch Mercer play on a regular basis after he returned from his injury. He did hit well, and play a decent SS, but you realize he was about as good as he’s ever been in his career too, right? He’s 33 years old. Do you really think he suddenly found his groove and will out perform Niko this year? I’m gonna say he hit about .240/250 with no speed, and little power this year. Is that acceptable for your everyday ss? He will be a better glove than Castro, but my money is on Castro to outhit Mercer. That is if Mercer doesn’t prevent Castro from making the team. I’m ok with Mercer playing SS in Toledo and is a hop and skip away from Detroit in the event of an injury, but I don’t think we need dead weight in Detroit waiting for an injury to happen.
Castro was overwhelmed last year and needs to spend another season at AAA. Lugo will compete for the third base job with Candelario. Again that leaves either Goodrum or Mercer at short. Goodrum is better served as super utility. Mercer won’t necessarily fall off a cliff, skills wise, all he needs is to be healthy. I’m more comfortable with Mercer going north as the Tiger shortstop. I’ll be more than happy if he hits in the .250-.260 range and thrilled if his second he’s performance carries over to this season. He’s definitely not dead weight.
Solid ss. Was having a career year last year in a bad hitters park. Close to trevor story’s road numbers. Will be nice flip at deadline of a contender has a need.
I really hope Candy, Lugo, and the Castro boys have a successful season. We need to see a foundation!
I hate to say it. But, I think Candy is probably what you see is what you get. At this point. Looked good when he first arrived. But, I just don’t think that he is ever going to truly belong in the majors.
You could be right. It’s like he’s lost all of his bat power. He’s still only 26, and it’s his job to lose. But, Paredes is knocking.
I saw where Candy had a heck of a winter and was actually the MVP in the Dominican League. Lets keep our fingers crossed and hope he’s found his groove. I’m hoping his year long slump was because of his injury. My fingers are crossed.
I’m somewhat convinced that it was injury related last year, back to 2018 when he hurt his wrist. It certainly is a good sign about his performance this winter and maybe he’s turning the corner. I hope so.
The more I think about it, the more I believe the Tigers have changed its course, and are now thinking of making Jordy the everyday SS again, and moving Niko to RF. Making Castro the super utility player.
Niko’s not going to be the RF. He’ll be super utility and Castro (I assume Harold) will be backing up Schoop at second, the position he played most last year and Jones in CF, again a position he played a lot in 2019. The only thing you’re guessing correctly is that Jordy will be playing short. I see you’ve been paying attention to what I’ve been saying all along regarding him. Regarding RF, it’s time to give Victor Reyes a shot at the job.
Yeah, you’re my idol.
Snark not needed. Just admit I was right all along about Mercer. You started off saying that Willi Castro would outhit Mercer. I said no, that Castro would be at Toledo for another year. Now you say Mercer will be the starting SS.
Wow, you just made that personal. And you told him to admit you were right?? Lol, weird and embarrassing. Way to take tabs on people’s comments, and make it super uncomfortable on fellow fans. Classic egocentrism
Dude, I can see that you have a serious problem comprehending what you read. Let me first start off by saying my FIRST comment concerning Castro was if Mercer is the new utility player or starting SS, what do they do with Castro (Harold)…Since Niko would probably play either SS or RF….Secondly, I stated WILLI CASTRO is NOT READY for the majors and needs more time in Toledo…And last but not least, I said Castro (Harold no Willi) would outhit Mercer., and I stand by that comment. Why would I mean Willi would outhit Jordy when in the same post I said Willi should spend more time in Toledo?
Before you start attacking people on here and making it personal, try understanding what you’re reading. It saves you from looking like a real dumb***.
You said Castro would outhit Mercer when discussing the SS position. The only Castro who played SS for the Tigers was Willi. Harold’s position on the infield was 2B.
I’d like to know when I attacked anyone and/or made things personal. Just asking you to admit I was right is neither. You were snarky towards me calling me your hero and said I had a reading comprehension problem. Pot, kettle black.
You still can’t comprehend what you’re reading. Have your mother explain it to you…I’m moving on and will only address the mature readers …Go attack someone else. I’m not going to waste my time with you, because you wouldn’t understand it anyways.
Dude,, I KNOW Willi is a SS and Harold is a utility player/2nd baseman….I forgot more about the Tigers than you’ll ever know…Adios. Now move along
Further proof that you can’t read is I never called you my hero. Read much?
Hope the Tigers succeed in moving seats back further from play than any other baseball team. . Fans do not seem to notice too much with team. We love the Tigers and accept loses and long sight distances.