The Yankees announced infielder Jordy Mercer has been signed to a minor league contract and assigned to the club’s alternate training site. Mercer and minor league catcher Wynston Sawyer have both been added to New York’s 60-man player pool, with Sawyer joining Mercer at the alternate camp.
Mercer appeared in three games for the Tigers this season before deciding to become a free agent rather than accept an outright assignment on August 6. He’ll now join a Yankees team in need of some second base depth since DJ LeMahieu’s is expected to spend two or three weeks on the injured list due to a sprained left thumb. Tyler Wade and Thairo Estrada are New York’s current second base options on the active roster, and it isn’t out of the question that Mercer could also serve as a backup shortstop to Gleyber Torres.
Best known for his long stint as the Pirates’ starting shortstop, Mercer has a .257/.315/.387 slash line over 3276 career MLB plate appearances with Pittsburgh and Detroit. Fielding metrics have taken a dim view of Mercer’s shortstop glovework in recent years, though that could be a moot point if he ends up playing second base for the Yankees. (For what it’s worth, Mercer has a +4.4 UZR/150 and +3 Defensive Runs Saved as a second baseman, though only over 286 2/3 career innings at the position.)
Jordy Mercer gunna turn into a 5 war player now apparently.
Meh
Did the Yankees release Rosell Herrera or Matt Duffy? Do they need Mercer? Still waiting for Herrera to get a chance he played great in Spring Training.
@mlbnyyfan- Herrera and Duffy are still on their taxi squad. Yeah bro, was really surprising by the Mercer signing also. I like Herrera also. Definitely wanted to see him get a shot to play.
How can the team that already has everything need anything else? They have a 1.200 winning percentage and they’re a lock to win the fake championship. What gives?
Well it’s about times hayzee. It only been over 10 years since they’ve won a championship. With a 60 game season they all should be fresh. No excuses this time.
Jordy Mercer has a career ops over .800 against left handed pitching . Wouldn’t be a bad idea to have him at second over Tyler wade aamgainst left handed pitching. Also might be an upgrade over Estrada.
@robluca21- No, Estrada is better then Mercer for sure. He just needs to play. He’s not going to be a big star but is still solid and Thairo can play multiple positions. I do feel Mercer is an upgrade over Tyler ’ no hit all defense’ Wade though. Wade probably has better speed though and is versatile also like Estrada which makes him somewhat valuable to the Yankees.
Wade’s a nice late game defensive replacement, but really shouldn’t see regular at-bats
When Should I Expect Jordy Mercer To Be Called Up?