Whit Merrifield Phillies Spring Training

Whit Merrifield, already in ‘win now’ mode, talks to the media for the first time as a member of the Phillies in Clearwater, Florida

Drew Smith
February 20, 2024
Phillies
0 Comments

Whit Merrifield joined finally joined his new Phillies teammates in Clearwater Florida yesterday and spoke with the media on his decision to come to Philadelphia regardless of his role on the team this season.

Merrifield inked a one-year $8 million deal last week with the Phillies that includes a $7 million salary this year and a $1 million buyout on an $8 million club option for 2025.

Phillies ink super-utilityman Whit Merrifield to a one-year, $8 million contract >>

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Last season as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, Merrified appeared in 145 games with Toronto and slashed .272/.318/.382/.700 with 11 home runs, 67 RBI and 26 stolen bases. He is above-average fielder with three All-Star nods, including last season with the Blue Jays. He can also play second base.

Whit Merrifield Career Numbers: .284 BA 90 HR, 470 RBI and 201 SB.

Yesterday, Merrifield spoke for the first time with the media about his new contract and his reasoning for joining the Philadelphia Phillies. Of course, one of the main reasons was the fact that the Phillies are in “win now” mode and the reputation of the current team and clubhouse was something he wanted to experience.

Whit Merrifield: ‘I want to win now’

“I’ve been a 3 time All-Star. I’ve led the league in hits.. I’ve done that”

“I want to win now”

-New Phillie Whit Merrifield says he chose the Phillies over another team that offered him to be an every day second baseman because he wants to win pic.twitter.com/013sy5ExWB
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) February 19, 2024

“The reputation of this team and clubhouse gets around. To be part of it was something I wanted to do,” Merrifield said. “Watching playoff games in Philadelphia, I wanted to be part of it. I wanted to see what the Bank was like during the playoffs.” [Alex Coffey – Inky]