3:48PM: The Mets are one of the teams interested in Merrifield, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (Twitter link). One source tells Heyman that it still seems “highly doubtful” that the Royals actually move Merrifield in any deal.
9:18AM: Teams have been trying to pry second baseman/outfielder Whit Merrifield away from the Royals for several years, and The Athletic’s Jayson Stark now reports that the Royals are “more open” to trading the two-time All-Star than they have been in the past.
“More open” is a relative term and doesn’t necessarily mean Merrifield is being outwardly shopped to other clubs. After all, Kansas City general manager Dayton Moore has all but labeled Merrifield as untouchable in the past, so being “more open” than that isn’t exactly a high bar to clear.
Back in 2018, for instance, Moore said that Merrifield “certainly won’t be traded at the deadline” and went on to add that the Royals “need him in our city and on our team.” Merrifield signed an extension that offseason, and the following summer Moore called him “one of the best players in all of baseball” and said that “the ask would be just crazy” if other clubs came calling on Merrifield.
Over the past year, Moore has publicly stated that his club is moving back into a win-now mindset, and the Royals’ offseason actions demonstrated that shift. Kansas City signed veterans Carlos Santana and Mike Minor to two-year contracts in free agency, dipped into its farm system to acquire two years of Andrew Benintendi and signed Salvador Perez to a four-year, $82MM extension. Those aren’t the types of moves rebuilding clubs make.
That said, it’s also natural that as the Royals’ control over Merrifield continues to wane, they’d at least allow themselves the opportunity to be overwhelmed by an offer. Merrifield is earning $7.25MM in 2021 but is owed just $3.75MM in 2022 as part of a front-loaded contract extension. The Royals hold a $6.5MM option on him for the 2023 season as well — though that option would increase by $4MM so long as he spends fewer than 109 days on the injured list by the time the team’s decision is due after the 2022 season.
Assuming Kansas City still aims to compete in the American League Central next season, the front office surely still views Merrifield as an important piece of that puzzle. He’s hitting .273/.322/.405 with eight home runs, 21 doubles, two triples and a league-leading 25 stolen bases at the moment. That offensive production is down from peak levels, but it’s also on the upswing since the calendar flipped to June (and since the league cracked down on Spider Tack and other foreign substances for pitchers). Merrifield is also still a strong defender at second base and versatile enough to rotate all over the outfield as needed.
One would imagine that were the Royals to actually entertain offers for Merrifield, the ask would be focused on controllable, near-MLB assets. Trading him for far-off prospects would only weaken the 2022 roster — and his frontloaded contract structure wouldn’t give the team any real cost savings that could be reallocated toward offsetting that loss.
All that said, it’s easy to envision a robust market for a player with Merrifield’s versatility and track record. The Mariners and White Sox could both pursue infield help. He’d give the Yankees a center field option with a contact-oriented approach the roster largely lacks. Merrifield could bounce between second base and the outfield for the Giants, Padres or Dodgers. His salary is affordable enough that even low-payroll contenders like the A’s and Rays could jump into the fray.
Because of that broad appeal, it’s only natural for Moore and his front office to at least listen to offers on Merrifield. Generally speaking, willing sellers have set very high asking prices on their most appealing trade candidates to date. Merrifield won’t be an exception.
This guy isnt too bad could be a nice bench piece for the Yankees. Maybe they finally trade Andujar and a low level prospect for him? Guy is only a .278 hitter with no power I wouldnt go too crazy but Id take him for the right price.
Gotta love stupid yankee fans. He’s been an above average player for the last 4 seasons. He’d immediately be their starting CF. His team friendly contract would be worth a lot more than Andujar. Do by low-level prospect, you mean Jasson?
Your not getting a teams blue chip prospect for Merrifield unless he’s that missing piece which let’s be honest he is not. The fact you would think that a team would be dumb enough to trade away there best prospect they have had in possibly decades shows your bias.
well no blue chip, no Whit
I agree with the “not getting a team’s blue chip” for this guy. He’s a solid player but he’s only a slightly better than league average hitter. Yes he can play multiple spots but I don’t think he’s a difference maker for the Yankees for two reasons. First, he’s 32 (no wonder the Royals want to unload him). Second, he’d be another righty bat.
Let’s do the math here. Whit’s a 3-5 win player and you’d have him for two more years in addition to 2021, and you’d have him for dirt cheap financially. He’s an above average offensive contributor. He can play a solid second base or play anywhere in the outfield well. He’s also one of the better base stealers in the game.
The definition of “blue chip” can vary, and depending on your definition of it, it could mean Wander Franco or it could mean Brandon Marsh. Marsh and more assets would be a minimum offer for Whit, and even though the Rays wouldn’t trade Franco for him, it’s not absurd for the Royals to start there if they negotiate with them. Whit is absolutely worth a top prospect and then some, and I’m not even a Royals fan.
Yes, you absolutely are. Jasson is the ONLY player the Yankees have that they can put on the trade table and get teams listening. Either do that, or stop posting in these threads offering up your terrible AAAA scrubs and non-prospects.
FWIW Baseball Trade Values assigns median surplus values of $39.7 million to Whit Merrifield, $38 million to Jasson Dominguez and $1.7 million to Miguel Andujar.
Your not getting an All-Star with an affordable, controllable contract for less than a blue chip.
You’re getting 2 blue chip prospects and a lower prospect for an All star player with 2+ years of control.
To start at Wander would end it.
@bjupton I agree that the Rays would definitely not trade Wander for him, nor do I think they should. So I think you’re right. But Adam Eaton got MLB.com’s #3 (Giolito) and #38 (Lopez) ranked prospects at the time, plus a recent first rounder in Dunning. I believe Eaton had an extra year of control through a club option, but he was a similar case because he was an above average but not elite hitter who could play anywhere in the outfield and added value on the bases. They both had a ton of control, which obviously increased their value.
Again, definitely not suggesting Franco should be traded for Whit. But even if it doesn’t get a deal done, it wouldn’t be crazy for the Royals to at least start by asking for him — even if Neander quickly says no.
@DarkSide830- and I’m perfectly ok with that.
“League average hitter”. Have you even looked at his stats. He has lead the league in hits twice in the past. He is having a slower year but he is far from league average
Do Yankee fans ever watch anyone other than the Yankees? Whit is a hell of a ballplayer and it’s insulting the intelligence of everyone in here to call him league average.
He’s just a fan. He can’t technically make any player/personnel decisions.
No deal!@oldmansteve- no thanx. Your comment was as stupid as his. Dominguez is going nowhere! Whit is going elsewhere.
Ya know a lot of it is about choosing the stats you rate a player by…for example Brandon Lowe is hitting 60 pts lower than Whit, but he has a higher OBP and OPS.
You are getting an All Star with tons of versatility costing 11 million with an option. You aren’t getting him for cast offs. Look at your top 15 prospects. Choose 2-3 at high a or above and start there.
@Craig102m- yes your comment makes sense. I think you got something here. Merrifield should is worth one prospect in your top 5. Then another prospect in your 10-15. Then one more in your 15-30 top prospects. Absolutely, seems fair to me.
For sure he would cost at least 1 top 100 prospect.
Trammell and change for Witt, get it done Dippy
If you think whit is a bench player for ANY team, then you don’t really understand baseball.
Andujar has little value. Yankee fans are a joke how they rate players.
@Butch779988- I’m happy with Andujar’s play when he is healthy. What makes you so sure all Yankee fans want to move him?
@Y4life
The fact 90% of trades proposed from NYY fans have him included, leads me to believe they want him gone. He is the next Refsnyder.
It’s not just the fans, its the media. Remember how much Pineda and that fat catcher were going to be HOFers? NYC media saturation has incredibly inflated the value of both NYC teams prospects and its been proven true over and over.
Meanwhile the Dodgers and Astros are basically the farms for everyone else.
Every team’s press does this, it’s not specifically a Yankee thing
A’s Fan your continued obsession with the narrative that the Yankees farm system is terrible and the media overhypes their prospects makes you look like a total buffoon. Their current farm is borderline top 10 after breakout years from several prospects. Michael Pineda had a very strong rookie year with the Mariners and was then traded to the Yankees. There were plenty of signs that pointed to him being a star but injuries ruined him. I assume by fat catcher you mean Gary Sanchez. In his case sure he’s had plenty of struggles along the way but Gary has still been a very productive hitter overall. Since Gary entered the league in 2016 he’s been the 2nd best hitter among catchers
The improvement from the farm system doesn’t change the fact andujar, Frazier and florial have all lost most of all of their value ! You can’t combine those three guys to even get a solid reliever! Maybe as a whole Yankees fans are no worse then other teams fans when overrating their own players ! But I’n the case of those three the refusal to accept those 3 guys have lost even a lil value is absurd ! They are all worth the same for what they got from the giants for Estrada
I’d like to think that at this point most of the people who talk about Andujar, Frazier, and Florial having high trade value are just trolling. Andujar and Frazier aren’t prospects and Florial shouldn’t even be considered among the Yankees top 10 prospects anymore. The point still stands that the Yankees currently have a borderline top 10 farm system and that has little or really nothing to do with the three players we’re talking about here
It would be refreshing to see the trade ideas consist of some of those guys who have value then , of course they won’t trade Dominguez but peraza among others should easily be in play if Yankees want to be in on some of the key guys out there
There’s always going to be the clowns out there who think their team can trade for anyone while giving up nothing in return. It’s best to just learn to laugh and ignore them. I personally think Dominguez and Volpe should be the only true untouchables from the Yankees farm. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Peraza traded soon but it probably won’t be at the deadline this year. Maybe he gets traded as a headliner in a package for a big fish in the offseason
Ronk- He’s referring to the Pineda Montero fiasco. The “fat catcher” is Jesus Montero
Yankees need to let Andujar play. The guy can hit for sure. If the team is not going to make the playoffs and I think that is likely, if only because they are in a tough division then find out what players like Andjujar can do with regular at bats. He does pretty good with part time play.
I actually believe in him more then Frazier of florial ! As a player I wouldn’t trade anything for him but think he’s the best of the three going forward
@Noel1982- I like Andujar better then Frazier. But I strongly disagree with you. Given the chance Estevan Florial will easily be a 20/20 player who could eventually turn into a 30/30 player. I can see him as a .280 hitter with power and speed and playing great defense at any of the outfield positions.
Sarcasm I assume. If not, oh man, you are out of touch.
“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.”
Why? why does every Yankee fan put Andujar and/or Frazier as the headline piece in every trade? Is the Yankees farm system so bad that these two are the best they have to offer for everyone? Andujar wouldn’t get you Nicky Lopez let alone Whit Merrifield
For the mlb fans that also are nba fans the comparable is lakers fans saying let’s trade Kyle Kuzma for Bradley Beal or Damian lillard but worse ! That’s how stupid it sounds trading to suggest Frazier and andujar for the other teams star or key players
Imagine the package it would take to get Lillard. Monstrous
@SodoMojo90- I wanted to ask you if you like my Knick package for Lillard? Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, Kevin Knox, 3#1’s, 2 2nd rounders… Lmk
If the Blazers trade Lillard, they need to get a HAUL back. Like, a young core player and several top picks. Look what OKC got for Paul George, and Lillard is way better.
It’s impossible to win the deal when you’re trading a superstar in the NBA, but a rhythm shooter off the bench, a 23 year old second year guy who looked out of place as a rookie, a bust, and a few non-lottery picks wouldn’t do it. They’d need to include Barrett and/or Mitchell Robinson (probably both), and that would just be a starter. If the Knicks really wanted Lillard, they’d probably need a third team.
@Michael Chaney- I hear you. I can’t give up RJ or Robinson. Maybe the Heat would give up Bam, Herro, and 2#1’s and 2 2nd rounders for Dame? Keep in mind he is 31. I guess it doesn’t matter with the talent he brings.
I think Lillard would be a good fit for them, and if they think he’d put them in position to win a title then Barrett and/or Mitchell would be worth moving. I’m a Cavs fan and hated the idea of trading Wiggins for Kevin Love, but getting an established star to put the finishing touches on a championship contender is worth whatever you have to pay — I’d make that trade again every day of my life if I had the chance.
The Knicks don’t really have a ton of assets other than those two and their cap space though, and Lillard on a supermax would pretty much decimate that cap room anyway.
He would be one of the best players on the Yankees the day he got there. Not that the Yankees have much in their farm system these days. Whit is great defensively, has speed for days. Excellent base runner and would hit for more power in Yankee stadium. He’d probably start leading the league in runs scored in the Yankee lineup.
Bench piece? Only a New Yorker says that gibberish.
Why would the Yankees be buyers?
Merrifield is so underrated IMO, I would love for the Mets to get him. 25′ for 26 SB attempts, he can play 2nd and let Villar and Guillorme split SS duties til Lindor hopefully comes back, Whit would prob be the best CF on the Mets too lol,,, and he is a complete player I do not understand your comment at all.
Every team in baseball could use a versatile guy like Merrifield.
To Dodgers for Keibert Ruiz and pepoit (did I spell it wrong?)
Why would the Royals base their deal on a catcher when they have Perez? They should expect to get back two mlb ready players plus prospects for Merrifield because he still has another year of control.
AJ Puk and Daulton Jefferies make way more sense
I think they’d prefer to see Puk pitch before trading anything for him.
Not only Perez, but we have MJ Melendez in AA. he’s likely knocking on AAA soon I’m guessing, despite the fact that they are 4 catchers in AAA for some reason.
The logic can still apply, just make it a 3 way trade. Ruiz for whatever prospect the Royals want, and that player(s) plus Pepoit. I agree the royals likely don’t look at Ruiz as a target like most other clubs would, but a 23 year old near MLB ready catcher and mlb ready bat are rare in today’s game
Royals are also loaded with catching prospects.
No way Dodgers do that. They already have a better super utility player named Chris Taylor.
Lol Kiebert Ruiz when they just locked up Perez. Man people are stupid.
You take the best offer. You don’t have to acquire a player to plug into your mlb team…
This is honestly the perfect target for the Marlins to go after and feels like one of the missing pieces. Would be the perfect compliment to Jazz Chisholm at the top of the lineup at a reason cost and can be the starting 2B.
How about Braxton Garrett, Kameron Misner/Conner Scott, Kyle Nicholas for Merrifield? Royals get two young future mid rotation arms and a nice CF prospect.
Cute.
Haha. No.
Bless your heart.
Long story short, Merrifield isn’t going anywhere.
Whit’s contract is an excellent example of why there should be more front loaded contracts. You pay for the best years of production and gain a ton of trade value. I really don’t understand why this is t done more.
The player would obviously have to agree to it so I’d imagine that some players wouldn’t want that, even though taking more upfront money makes the most sense anyway.
My guess is probably that teams would just rather have the immediate flexibility and then just kick the can down the road financially, like when NFL teams restructure deals.
A front loaded deal locks the player into a declining salary trend for multiple years, likely during the last few years of their earning potential. The reason it’s not done more is most players won’t agree to it
He should net at least one young mlb ready piece and 1 top 100 prospect.
Mercedes and Heuer for Merrifield before Yermin files his papers.
Not if he ends up retiring that would really be bad and Dayton would get even more angry tweets that he should be fired. (People are still angry because we didn’t draft Kumar rocker, who would have likely demanded a little bit more than the slot value for the number seven pick, Leaving us unable to get the two guys that were committed to LSU that we signed, One for over his slot value)
Mercedes has zero trade value
Mercedes and Kopech and Heuer sounds reasonable. Sox are not using Kopech as a SP this year for sure, maybe not next either.
Kopech 2022 Cy Young Winner!!
Not going anywhere.
Kopech to start in October.
Mercedes is back as I predicted.
It’s like these GMs are 14 year old boys trying to find a date. They know what they want. But they don’t have a clue how to talk to someone. Good gosh…..
Whenever a player that is worth a darn is available, all Yankee fans respond by saying that player is a good fit for their team. But that is why they are Yankee fans. Me, I’m a Cardinal fan who says the same thing, except I want that player in St. Louis. We are loyal to our team.
That said, Whit Merrifield would be a great fit on every team. Even if the Royals were to keep him, he would still be a great fit in KC.
Now is the time to get him with a relatively low salary. So I am hoping STL goes after him. If not for 2021, just know he is a player to have in the future. 2 years of control, but a solid extension will get his attention. STL has lost of money stashed, hint, hint.
@JerryBird- the Yankees aren’t going to trade for Merrifield. And if they were they were never going to trade Jasson Dominguez for him. Would you want the Cardinals trading their #1 prospect for him? Maybe if he was your biggest need, then you might do it. Whit isn’t the Yankees biggest need right now.
Yankee 4 Life – I would think the temptation is there. A #1 prospect is not always a guarantee to make it, where Merrifield has established himself as a rock solid big league player. I have ZERO skills at being a general manager, but Merrifield would truly be worth consideration. If Jasson Dominguez is too high of a price, then no deal, but the Royals will not settle for chump change either. I appreciate your response.
@JerryBird- yes I understand why the Royals would ask a high price for Merrifield. I would to, especially with 2.5 years of control left. I would rather trade Clint Frazier then Miguel Andujar. I believe whoever they trade that player will become a star. One fan said two prospects in their top 15. I agree with that. One prospect in their top, and another in their top 10-15 seems fair. I disagree with a lot of Yankee fans as far as prospects. My two favorite Yankee prospects are Estevan Florial and Al Abreu. If they don’t star for the Yankees they likely will somewhere else. That really angers me. I can’t stand Ca$hman. Not a big fan of Boone. If it was up to me Joe Girardi would still be the Yankee manager and @Ducky Buckin Fent would be the GM.
Baseballtradevalues.com gives Merrifield a surplus value of $39.7 million based on salary and projected WAR. That site also gives Jasson Dominguez a surplus value of $38 million based on projected salary and projected WAR. So a one for one. deal is fair based upon their system, which actually works out more often than not. This doesn’t mean a deal is impossible without Dominguez, but it does indicate it’s a fair trade in their system.
Yankees can’t afford to take on his salary without going over tax threshold. KC is not the type to eat salary. Not happening
No matter who the yankees add they will be going over the luxury, and the Yankees are not afraid to go over the luxury tax… it’s the yankees
You’re more likely to personally find Bigfoot than Royals are to trade Whit for one prospect
Before McCourt – Agreed 100%.
I would happily trade AJ Puk and some other prospects for Merrifield
@A’sfaninUK- that trade proposal makes you wanna just Puk. Sorry,I couldn’t resist.
KC likely passes. Unless the other prospects include someone like Soderstrom.
Agreed, Puk has a high ceiling, but is as much suspect as prospect due to injury.
I could see St. Louis in on him. He’s controllable through 2023, affordable, and a versatile veteran who could be plugged in RF today if they’re willing to move Carlson to CF.
That being said, I think the starting point of the deal would be around Harrison Bader. He’s a superior defender in the OF and he is still under control for the same time as Merrifield at a cheaper price. But it would take more than that to pry him away from KC.
I would think some combination of two top 30 prospects along with Bader might get it done, or a top 15 prospect and a young MLB arm (which StL is still on the lookout for, efficient inning eaters).
OF Harrison Bader, 3B Malcom Nunez, and mystery pitcher (since they’ve seemingly settled on Wainwright, LeBlanc, Woodford, Kim, and Oviedo while Flaherty and Mikolas ramp up rehab assignments)
thestevilempire – Agreed. My personal view on Bader is glove only, except he has found a way to hit this year, though he usually cools off quickly. I can see him being traded in a deal for Merrifield. Now would be the time to get something for Bader because he is currently hitting. Like I said above, I have zero skills as a GM, so I could very well be wrong on this. Prospects seldom pan out, but when one does, a lot of fingers will point back at the trade and the Cardinals have been burned a few times in recent years. I’d like to see them give up a little bit of potential in the future for a an established player like Merrifield. Just my opinion. Thanks for responding.
@JerryBird – My reason for suggesting Malcom Nunez as the prospect in the deal is because he’s one of those rare prospects that allows the Cardinals a level of “deniable plausibility”.
If he fails then he’s just another prospect that didn’t pan out, if he pans out, the Cardinals can always say he was double blocked by Arenado and Jordan Walker ( I left out Gorman because I think he’s going to be Goldschmidt’s replacement later this decade).
Cover the hindsight explanation before it becomes venom later.
BTV indicates a nice matchup as Merrifield (39.7) for Gorman (35.1) plus an ancillary piece. Would the Cardinals move Gorman in a deal?
Gorman is been said to be untouchable. They’ve been grooming him to play 2B. He’ll be up by June of next year. He’s the highest touted prospect for the Cardinals since Oscar Tavares.
I don’t think KC drops one of their best trade chips for Bader. Bader is a good player, but he really doesn’t help KC improve much going forward. All he gives them over Merrifield is a small cash savings.
This Cardinals front office convinced the Rockies to give them Arenado and 50 million dollars for an older injury proned pitcher. Never say never.
The Rockies got 4 minor leaguers (including 2021 breakout Austin Gomber) for Arenado and shed the largest contract in team history.
Yes, and Gomber is injured, again. He’s been hurt for 3 years. Eli Montero was the best piece in that deal. None of those pieces in the trade will ever equal one Arenado though.
The first problem for the Rockies was looking at his contract as something to shed, instead of build around. It’s that kind of mentality that keeps half the teams in MLB in a vortex of losing forever.
Correction, Gomber WAS hurt. He’s back and I hope he stays healthy. I always liked his potential.
Putting subjective thinking aside, most teams with a good negotiating GM can talk down an offer for Merrifield because:
1.) Dayton Moore waited too long to get his best package for him — by a couple of years.
2.) Whitney’s s a good scrappy player, not great. And he’s aging, and scrappy don’t normally age well (Brian Roberts for example)
3.) It’s not about what KC can get back but what the trading team is getting in return. Whit is an aging utility man likely entering his twilight before this deal is through. Once his speed declines, his ability to push runs across the plate will decline as well.
4.) His value changes immensely if he goes to a team that believes heavily in the hit and run. His stolen bases vanish.
Most Royals fans would gag at the idea of him being traded to the Cardinals.
Here’s your bucket
If he were to move, you think Bobby Witt comes up?
It’s probably the reason why they’re floating this out there. Can get more for him now than next year, and no rush this year for Witt – can slot him in next year with Mondesi in the middle.
they’d be better off to trade Mondesi than Merrifield imo. Guy can’t stay on the field, and he’s lightning in a bottle. Awesome for 30 games, then garbage for 65 games, then injured the rest. and I love the Royals as much as the Cards. I know y’all can gag all you want, they’re both Missouri, and as long as I don’t have to see the skankies or chubs win the pennant, I’m good.
would LOVE him on the Angels!
If they would give up Brandon Marsh, certainly KC would listen
Eloy Jimenez, Adam Engel, Nick Madrigal, Zach Collins and Jared Kelley for Whit Merrifield, Salvador Perez, Mike Minor & Greg Holland! Who says no?
I like to put hypothetical jumbo trade packages together. Royals need to rebuild, get young (low cost) guys besides Eloy and plenty of years of control while shedding their expensive & older players
The White Sox hang up laughing on that. They don’t need Perez; he’s not much of an upgrade over Grandal. The rest of the guys, as you said, are expensive and older. Eloy is easily the best hitter of the bunch. Why would the Sox even consider it?
Royals should bring up their entire AAA team if they want young controllable players.
Sox don’t want those losers.
So the white Sox give up a group of young prospects who in their prime will be better then what they are receiving currently past their prime? Yeah any gm would laugh lol
Wow all those great KC
players and they are still in last
place?!
How about the Mets Mauricio,Szapucki,another prospect? and Lee for Merrifield and Duffy, Duffy fills in the 4th-5th spot this year and Merrifield can be used in the OF/2B this year than next year CF than slide Nimmo to RF when Conforto prices himself out of NY. Next year’s rotation deGrom,Carrasco,Walker,Duffy,Megill (Syndergaard). Merrifield will finally gives the Mets speed at the top of the lineup, Merrifield,Nimmo,Alonso,Smith,Davis,Conforto,McCann and Villar(Guillorme).
Two issues here
1. Merrifield isn’t a particularly good defensive outfielder & I think expecting him to be the starting CF in an outfield that isn’t especially gifted to begin with is asking a lot. Nimmo really doesn’t have the arm to play RF either.
2. I don’t see that return impressing the Royals. unless that unnamed prospect is a good one. They already have some good middle infield talent in their system, and Szapucki & Lee really don’t have any value at this point.
Duffy just went on the injury list with a sore left arm, he’s not going to be traded
Whit Merrifield would be the perfect player for Cincinnati to make a move on. His contract would suit them perfect and the way they play people anywhere he would be a better SS than anything they have.
That’s one position he’s never had to play in Kansas City – Short stop
I actually think the perfect fit is the Giants.
I was thinking Duffy and Whit to the Giants maybe…. I doubt either moves though.
Holding onto Merrifield at his peak just to trade him now doesn’t make much sense. The Royals will likely have to be blown away to consider trading him and I can’t see too many teams being willing to give up a haul for Merrifield. It’s safe to assume that he’s still a Royal after deadline
I can see the Phillies, Mets, A’s, Reds and even the Padres willing to give up a haul. Let the bidding begin.
They will probably have interest but I don’t see any team meeting the Royals asking price
Doesn’t make sense from a building a team viewpoint, but from a ticket sales and building fan loyalty it surely does. Gotta have a face you can print on your schedules and programs!
It is certainly a bit odd. His value was likely a bit bit higher in 2019, while KC had no chance of even sniffing .500. What I am thinking is that KC realizes that they still aren’t close, and have gone 10-29 over their past 39 games. If they are giving up on 2022/23, then moving Whit makes more sense.
Yeah 2019 would have been the year to cash in on Merrifield and the Royals would probably be in a better position now if they did. While the Royals are still pretty bad right now they have a chance to be a solid team as early as next year. Bobby Witt has all the tools to be a star and they have a lot of high upside young pitching almost ready. It also helps that the AL Central is a one team division
Braves could use him in CF and at leadoff ..
I’d love to see him in left and batting leadoff. I highly doubt it will happen but I can dream.
Braves have the trade pieces to make this happen. They have pitching to choose from (Wright, Davidson, Muller, Touki, among others) along with Waters and Pache. I wouldn’t mind Swanson going with a couple prospects. Next year Braves then have an outfield of Acuna Pederson and Merrifield.
MLB Trade Value simulator says Whit for Tyler Freeman on the Indians is a fair deal. If you are the tribe you have to take that deal with the glut of infield prospects we have,
That website is so out of touch with reality, who cares what they say?
You can get Trout onto any team for 3 or 4 guys. It’s not worth citing as some reliable source
The trade package above from the Mets isn’t horrible, but I don’t think he’s a good fit for the Mets. Nimmo is significantly better at the plate, but Whit has a significant advantages in SB (144 v 17) and his defense is better (dWAR: 1.6 v -0.8). Whit has played a bunch more games, but SBs will never be big for Nimmo.
Career #’s
Merrifield: .292 / .340 / .439 / .779, 108 OPS+
Nimmo: .263 / .394 / .445 / .838, 131 OPS+
It’s too bad the White Sox and Royals are in the same division. It doesn’t make a trade impossible, just unlikely, but Merrifield seems like a good bet to improve back to his norm next year. I know he’s starting to age a little, but his leading the league in SB’s shows he’s still plenty fast enough and he has tons of defensive versatility. The real problem is any package for him would probably cost Kelley or Crochet and then some.
I think Merrifield is solid at 2B, but a questionable everyday OF…. His price and versatility makes him awfully appealing… This article mentions every playoff/wildcard team as a potential suitor, but who is REALLY in the market for middle infield/2B?
Oak, Philadelphia, Mets, Giants …..
Heuer alone would be an overpay for an aging Merrifield.
this is possibly the dumbest comment here. a relief pitcher with an ERA over 5 with a negative WAR is an overpay for a consistent 3-4 WAR player. At least educate yourself. People MIGHT take you seriously then.
Whit in Houston batting leadoff with Bregman coming back soon would be scary
Merrifield reminds me of 2015-2016 Ben Zobrist. I think he would be a shot in the arm for several contending clubs.
Only difference is – Whit Merrifield is NOT a rental like a ben zobrist was
Pache for Merrifield
He would definitely lengthen the braves lineup. Are the royals looking more for offense or pitching these days?
AA needs to make this happen. We have the pitching prospects they could use and we should offer a position player as well. 3 for 1
Maybe the Indians can take a flyer on Merrifield? Offer Daniel Espino and Ernie Clement.
Royals would laugh and hang up
Royals probably going t ask for teams entire farm system for him.
Trading Merrifield would be very much out of character for Dayton Moore. I can’t see it happening unless he is overwhelmed by a lopsided deal. For the receiving team, Merrifield would have to be the final piece of the puzzle to warrant giving up a haul to the Royals.
On the other hand, while out of character for Dayton, he may be looking forward to a middle infield of Mondesi and Witt in the near future rendering Merrifield expendable.
I think Witt will play 3B. If Lopez can sustain his hitting, he will play 2B.
He would be one of the best players on the Yankees the day he got there. Not that the Yankees have much in their farm system these days. Whit is great defensively, has speed for days. Excellent base runner and would hit for more power in Yankee stadium. He’d probably start leading the league in runs scored in the Yankee lineup.
Yankees need Benintendi more he’s a much needed lefty hitter for lineup. Florial and Andujar for Benintendi
@mlbnyyfan- c’mon brother I like Benintendi also, but could we give my boy Estevan Florial a chance? He’s looked pretty good this week. Besides, Frazier or Andujar and another prospect could probably get that deal done. Florial is a keeper bro. He will be a 20/20 player next season with his eyes closed.
Not a chance! Frazier had relatively zero value
If Florial is 20/20 next year, what is Gardner doing playing CF this year?
Mets may come out of nowhere to seek his help. He’s affordable, fills a huge CF need and they have chips to offer.
Good job calling it before the report!
Teams that could be in play:
Angels
Astros
Giants
Padres
Brewers
Reds
Braves
Mets
Yankees
My bet is if he is moved it will be to the NL either the Reds, Brewers or Braves.
Dodgers should be at the top of the list buddy. And Angels!? Hahaha ok
There is a tiny possibility that Whit could be traded after this season concludes as the Royals will be sort of at a crossroads (even though this would represent a sea change for how Moore usually handles proven Royals stars). But there is zero chance that Dayton Moore trades Whit this season. For one, D.M. has his favorite players who have “high character,” and Whit fits that label. But also, keep in mind that the gap between Whit’s trade value now to that of his value in just a few months when it is the offseason is **not** significant enough for Dayton Moore to want to uproot Whit and trade him. There will still be two years of bargain-basement team contract control over Whit after the season concludes. Whit’s peak trade value was 2 and a half years when he signed that team-friendly four year extension with the option year. If he hasn’t been traded by now, there is no reason to expect DM to uproot Whit right now. And perhaps the most important thing of all to mention is, Whit loves the Royals organization even more than playing for a contender and he wants to play his entire career in KC. That has been Whit’s longtime preference, DM has long respected that preference, and there is little to no reason to expect DM to lose respect for that preference.
@Yankees 4 life I agree with you 100% however I don’t think Frazier, Andujar has any value. Sometimes you need to give up something to get something. Benintendi, Florial and Judge could be a great defensive outfield.
apparently the players and managers love reading this sight, probably more for laughs but maybe once in a while one of these ideas makes sense in the real world. The White Sox have a chance to win it all this year with some sensible trade deadline improvements.
Merrifield is an excellent player with a reasonable contract, extremely rare these days. Kopech, Mercedes, and a good ML plus the White Sox take back Soler’ and his 2022 contract and a decent Royal reliever for Merrifield.
Not close to enough for the Royals
id like to see the Phillies look into Beni if he’s available. i doubt it, and KC may want too much, but i like the idea nonetheless.
McCutchen plays LF..
My prediction?? Merrifield goes nowhere and all the guessing where and who he going for will be a waste of time. Dayton Moore places Whits value a lot higher then anyone else. Not always about above league average this n that, but about the people, Whit is more valuable to KC then he would be to anyone else. Whit stays
Can the Mets rumors about infielders please stop and focus on shoring up our closer and 2 starters.
not till they prove they can hit without conforto [210]’ or lindor [down and anemic]
Mets fan here.
Rather have Baez or Bryant than Whit.
Pitching is fine.
Its why we are in 1st.
Pitching is hanging by a thread. If deGrom can’t be nursed healthy into the post season, we are VERY thin. Megill is on a nice roll, but that’s mainly because other teams don’t have a book yet on him. Walker may be hitting his innings wall – remember how little he has pitched in recent years.
Rich Hill should help eat innings and provide a veteran influence should we play more than 162. May and Diaz have been shaky and Lugo has been lit up. Honestly, I think the ‘pen has just been overused in the first half. Carrasco is going to be very limited over the next 4 weeks, assuming he makes it all the way back. I’m not counting on Syndergaard for one pitch this year.
I could see Boston being interested. He would have playing time at both 2B and OF. Pedroia replacement, play some CF. Good lineup, Sale coming back soon. Boston doesn’t have much in the farm, but there are some IF prospects and maybe an arm or 2 to offer. Doesn’t bring drama, versatile quality veteran who projects out to .280, 15 dingers, near 50 SBs. Very affordable. Who wouldn’t take that? Perfect stretch run guy.
Red Sox have no chance.
Could’ve had a haul for Whit if this was 2019. Still could have a good trade but he’s older and exiting his prime (32).
Holland and Merrifield to the Mets? More of a wishful thinking deal, but Holland seems logical to NY.
It would be ironically hilarious if the White Sox were able to land Whit Merrifield from the division rival Royals. Merrifield was the ideal missing piece for the Cubs the past few seasons but apparently the Royals viewed him as an “untouchable” prior to this summer’s trade deadline.