Phillies’ Rob Thomson drops a huge comment on one big offseason trade that has stood out above the rest… 

The Philadelphia Phillies embarked on a busy offseason following their second consecutive year falling short of a World Series title. Their roster underwent several tweaks and signings in preparation for the 2024 season. As we await Opening Day, now rescheduled for Friday, it’s an opportune moment to scrutinize the Phillies’ offseason moves and predict the impact of their new additions.

Let’s delve into the grading of some significant roster additions, focusing solely on players on the Phillies’ 40-man roster.

Michael Mercado: C- Among the early offseason moves was the acquisition of pitcher Michael Mercado from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for pitcher Adam Leverett and cash considerations. Mercado, a former second-round pick from the 2017 MLB Draft, has yet to make his mark in the majors, displaying modest performances in the minors. His career stats, including a 4.81 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, suggest a need for improvement. Designated as pitching depth, Mercado’s underwhelming spring training performance led to his early demotion to the minors.

Despite his struggles, Mercado boasts a notable strength in his ability to rack up strikeouts, averaging 10.10 K/9 for his career. If he can refine other facets of his game, particularly his command, there’s potential for him to contribute effectively out of the bullpen for the Phillies in the future.