Whit Merrifield signs to play baseball with Atlanta Braves – Davie County Enterprise Record

By Brian Pitts

Business file

Whit Merrifield suddenly became a free agent on July 12 when he was released by the Philadelphia Phillies.

But his uncertain future at 35 lasted only 10 days.

The 2007 Davie graduate is getting back to work, signing a one-year contract on July 22 with Philadelphia’s chief rival in the National League East and Merrifield’s “hometown” team — the Braves.

Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies fractured his wrist Sunday and Merrifield signed the papers Monday. With Albies expected to miss about eight weeks, the Braves are hoping Merrifield can help at second base and in the outfield.

Merrifield’s departure from Philadelphia is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of professional sports. Last year, he was named to the All-Star Game for the third time as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. He became a free agent after the 2023 season and was ready to be a part-time starter for a championship-contending team, signing a one-year, $8 million contract with Philadelphia.

But his transition from regular starter to role player didn’t work out. In 174 plate appearances in 53 games, he hit .199 with a .572 OPS, three homers and 11 RBIs. He made 20 starts in left field, 12 at second base and eight at third.

He still has energy, having stolen 11 bases in 12 attempts.

The Phillies are the best team in baseball (62-35 through July 19), but they surprised many by letting Merrifield go and taking about $4 million. They brought in Weston Wilson from Triple-A to take Merrifield’s place.

“I’ve been a farm manager, a field coordinator, I’ve had many, many releases and had to let go of many, many people, and it was one of the toughest situations I’ve ever had to deal with,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters. “He’s the person, the teammate, the guy in the locker room. I personally liked him a lot.”

The Braves and all Davie County fans are hoping Merrifield can find his groove in Atlanta. What he’s accomplished since entering the major leagues in 2016 is mind-blowing.

• From 2016-2020, Merrifield hit .295/.342/.445 with 58 home runs and 119 stolen bases.

• He reached 40 doubles three times and 40 steals twice.

• He was a two-time All-Star with the Royals.

• In 2019, he led the major leagues in hits (206) and triples (10).

• He led the American League in hits in 2018 and 2019.

• He led the American League in steals in 2017, 2018 and 2021.

• During his 2023 All-Star season, he hit .272 with a .700 OPS, 11 home runs, 67 RBIs, 28 doubles and 26 steals.

Will SF become a trade pro?

As the trade deadline approaches, CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa speculated that Davie County’s Carson Whisenhunt could be moved in a trade.

Whisenhunt is a Triple-A starting pitcher in the San Francisco organization.

Axisa wrote: “The Blue Jays will sell. The question is how much. In other words, would they actually trade a key homegrown player like Bo Bichette and/or Vladimir Guerrero Jr.? This bold prediction says yes, the Blue Jays will send shockwaves through Toronto and the trade market by trading one of their cornerstone pieces. We say Guerrero stays and Bichette goes. Specifically, he’ll be traded to the Giants for former top prospect Marco Luciano and left-hander Carson Whisenhunt, among others. San Francisco gets a needed shortstop and the big name they’re looking for, and the Blue Jays shake things up and upgrade their young talent base. Bichette’s days in Toronto are numbered, we boldly predict.”

The trade deadline is July 30. We will see in a few days if Axisa’s prediction comes true.