All articles tagged with #outfield depth
The Atlanta Braves have signed outfielder Ramón Laureano to a minor league deal after he was released by the Cleveland Guardians. Laureano, who has struggled since an 80-game PED suspension in 2021, will head to Triple-A Gwinnett. The Braves, dealing with outfield depth issues due to Ronald Acuña Jr.'s injury, see this as a low-risk move to potentially bolster their roster.
The Philadelphia Phillies have signed utilityman Whit Merrifield to a one-year, $8 million deal with a club option for 2025, potentially maxing out at $16.6 million. Merrifield, known for his versatility, is expected to serve as the team's fourth outfielder and provide depth at second base. His addition may impact the roster, potentially squeezing out other players like Jake Cave or Cristian Pache. The Phillies hope Merrifield can thrive in a part-time role and improve his production against left-handed pitchers. The team remains focused on acquiring pitching upgrades, with any significant acquisitions likely to occur later in the season.
Philadelphia Phillies' outfielder Brandon Marsh underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and is expected to be ready for Opening Day, but his injury highlights the team's need for outfield depth. The Phillies have not acquired any outfielders this offseason and are relying on Johan Rojas, Jake Cave, and Cristian Pache as reserve options. They continue to engage free-agent outfielders but have not found a suitable match yet. The team is open to signing players on minor-league contracts and will monitor the outfield market for potential additions.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired outfielder Tommy Pham from the New York Mets in exchange for Minor League infielder Jeremy Rodriguez and cash. Pham, known for his strong hitting abilities, has a one-year, $6 million deal and has been performing well since entering a full-time role in mid-June. While he has lost some defensive prowess, he can still adequately play left field. This is not Pham's first trade deadline deal, as he has previously been traded from the Cardinals to the Rays and from the Reds to the Red Sox.
The Yankees face more injury setbacks with Aaron Judge being placed on the 10-day IL due to a hip injury and Jonathan Loáisiga undergoing surgery for a bone spur. The team's outfield depth is also a concern, and they may look to make a deal with the Cardinals who have surplus outfielders. The pitch clock has had a significant impact on game times and has led to more uniformity in game endings.