The Diamondbacks signed right-hander Joe Ross and outfielder Oscar Mercado to minor league contracts that contain invitations to Arizona’s big league spring camp. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal was the first to report Ross’ deal, while MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams had the Mercado signing. Ross is a Wasserman client, and Mercado is represented by Excel Sports Management.
Ross signed a one-year, $4MM guarantee with the Phillies last offseason, in the aftermath of a 2024 campaign that saw Ross post some strong numbers (1.67 ERA over 27 innings) once he was moved from the Brewers’ rotation into a bullpen role. After a Tommy John surgery prevented Ross from any big league action over the 2022-23 seasons, his 2024 numbers were a nice rebound, and a sign that relief pitching could potentially be the way forward in his career.
Unfortunately, things didn’t really work out for Ross in Philadelphia. He posted a 5.12 ERA, 17.1% strikeout rate, and 7.9% walk rate over 51 innings (starting one of 37 appearances) for the Phils, and was tagged for eight home runs while allowing a lot of hard contact. Philadelphia released Ross near the end of August and he caught on with the Cubs on a minors deal, but didn’t receive any looks on Chicago’s active roster, even when rosters expanded in September.
Mercado last played in the majors in 2023, when he appeared in 20 games with the Cardinals. The outfielder had a strong rookie year with Cleveland in 2019, but has since batted .206/.262/.334 over 491 plate appearances since the start of the 2020 season. St. Louis outrighted Mercado in July 2023 and he elected free agency, and he has since bounced around to the Dodgers, Tigers, and two stints apiece with the Padres and Phillies without getting any more time in the Show.
The D’Backs have a ton of pitchers in camp on non-roster deals, so Ross faces an uphill battle in winning a spot on Arizona’s Opening Day roster. Though he worked almost exclusively in a relief role last year, Ross could be utilized again as a swingman, which might help his chances finding a niche with the Snakes.
Corbin Carroll will start the season on the injured list while recovering from hamate surgery, leaving the D’Backs thinner than expected in the outfield for at least the early stages of the 2026 campaign. If other outfielders or multi-positional types (i.e. Tim Tawa, Ildemaro Vargas) on the depth chart have now been bumped up a slot with Carroll absent, Mercado’s signing adds more depth on at least the Triple-A level. Mercado is best suited as a corner outfielder but he does have some experience in center field, so there could be some opportunity for Mercado to backup job if he has a big camp performance.
Oscar mercado is a name I haven’t heard in a while. Kid showed decent potential and fell off quick
Mercado Loco!
I literally just said the same thing 😂
Ross, drafted in the 1st round, has had an ok career
I wonder if these D’Backs minor league contract contain opt out clauses if they don’t make the ML roster. They have signed a lot of pitchers to minor league contracts cannot see any of them wanting to pitch in Reno with the label of the worse place for pitchers to pitch because of the elevation and the hitters ballpark that it is.
I still remember rookie Joe Ross lookin like the next big thing
Dombrowski wasted millions last year on the ex-Nat. Unfortunately, he pitched more like the beloved costar of TV’s ‘60s classic Car 54: Where Are You.