Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos is typically commended for his ability to shrewdly lock up his core players to long-term, team-friendly contracts, but he is not merely a forward thinker. He can also make snap judgments in the present when necessary.
With Ozzie Albies set to miss approximately two months of action with a fractured wrist, reinforcements are needed right away. Anthopoulos is hoping that a three-time All-Star with a versatile skill set can be of some assistance.
“Superutilityman Whit Merrifield and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a major league deal, sources tell ESPN,” MLB insider Jeff Passan reported Monday. “Merrifield was released recently by Philadelphia. He’ll join the Braves today and help provide depth after the injury to All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies.”
It is unclear exactly what type of role the 35-year-old will serve for his new club, particularity because prospect Nacho Alvarez (team's No. 5 prospect) is getting called up from Triple-A, per the team. Eli White is being optioned to Gwinnett and former first-round pick Forrest Wall is being designated for assignment.
Merrifield batted a measly .199 and stole 11 bases for the Phillies before being let go on July 12. This is a golden opportunity for him to reclaim the form that convinced Philly to sign him to a one-year, $8 million contract in the offseason.
The veteran is a lifetime .281 hitter, showcases notable baserunning talent (led American League three times in stolen bases) and can be plugged into both the infield and outfield. He may be an emergency acquisition, but that worked out pretty well for the Braves in the past.
Can Whit Merrifield be an unexpected spark for Braves' offense?
When Ronald Acuna Jr. tore his right ACL in July of 2021, devastation instantly hit Atlanta. The young outfielder had his rise into superstardom cruelly halted, and the team's World Series dreams were simultaneously crushed once again. Or at least that is what everyone thought.
Alex Anthopoulos sought to mitigate the damage as best he could and acquired a pair of outfielders in Eddie Rosario and Jorge Soler at the trade deadline. The former was named that year's National League Championship Series MVP, the latter seized World Series MVP honors and the Braves delivered their fans a title for the first time since 1995. The Whit Merrifield situation is obviously different, but there is still a chance he can be an important part of an unforeseen Atlanta run.
Do not forget that just two days before the Phillies gave him his walking papers, Merrifield made a sensational throw to get out Miguel Rojas at second base in the eighth inning. It ultimately secured the club a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball. That is the type of winning play his new franchise will ask him to make on occasion.
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