Outfielder Oscar Mercado enacted an opt-out clause in his minor league contract with the Phillies, MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams reports. The Phils have subsequently released Mercado, who now returns to the open market after inking his deal just at the start of Spring Training.
A veteran of five Major League seasons, Mercado hit .237/.289/.388 over 973 plate appearances with the Guardians, Phillies, and Cardinals from 2019-23. Most of his success remains limited to his impressive 2019 rookie year in Cleveland. Mercado then struggled to stay productive at the MLB level, and now has gone over two years since his last appearances in a big league game.
Subsequent minor league stints with the Padres, Dodgers, Tigers, and Phillies haven’t led to any more playing time in the majors, though Mercado’s .252/.373/.385 slash line over 378 PA at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025 is respectable, and he has stolen 35 bases in 43 attempts. The right-handed hitter has also mashed lefties to the run of a .941 OPS this season, but didn’t get a call-up since the Phils opted to stay with in-house right-handed outfield options until landing Harrison Bader at the trade deadline.
It could be that Bader’s acquisition inspired Mercado’s decision to opt out, as his path to Philadelphia’s roster got even more crowded. The post-deadline roster landscape could mean more openings for the 30-year-old Mercado, if trades have opened up some roster holes and created some teams in need of outfield depth.
Will there be a market for Mercado ?
I always wonder about these guys that get rushed to the big leagues and flame out. This seems to happen more frequently nowadays because teams need cheap talent because free agent contracts are so expensive on the high end.
Too many times nowadays you get young players rushed and they aren’t ready, they lack fundamentals. Nobody bunts anymore so rarely do you need a guy to get down a bunt, however most players don’t know how to run the bases properly. Usually poor defensively. Lack maturity off the field. Just because he’s got a big league bat doesn’t mean he’s ready for the majors. Learning in the minors used to take like 3-4 seasons.
Drafted in 2013, made his debut in 2019 at 24. Had a full season at each level. Doesn’t look like he was rushed to me.
He wasn’t rushed. He was a fully realized utility type who punched above his weight class during his rookie campaign and ended up overexposed. Put another way, he had the bat of a utility infielder but the glove of an outfielder—not a valuable combination.
Un supermercado
Well well well looks like he’s back on the Mercado.
But will the Mercado sign him to another minor league deal or go to the Mexican league market?
Think he could be a good pick up for the Brewers on a minor league deal. Their outfield is starting to get very thin with Mitchell, Chourio and Frelick hurt along with Dalbec opting out
Soon to be Oscar the Grouch
I thought anyone would be an upgrade to the 2025 Kepler but the Phillies in Bader seem to have found Kepler’s right handed clone. Not impressed. And yes, it’s a small sample…
The sad thing is watching Topper defend Kepler — when the facts show the guy is washed up and clogging the roster.
Based on his one start against Skubal? Get a life.
Cashman will grab him.
He’d be a starter in Anaheim right now.