Right or wrong, I didnt do it on a whim. .dLQAwR .contributor__text--twitter{font-size:0.8rem;font-weight:600;}/*!sc*/ While everyone else basks in their two week awesomeness, the Kansas City Royals are working on important stuff like nicknames. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button-menu{-webkit-flex:0 0 auto;-ms-flex:0 0 auto;flex:0 0 auto;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav{display:none;pointer-events:none;}/*!sc*/ On Thursday, Heyman also reported that the Yankees who currently lead the AL East are unlikely to continue their pursuit of Merrifields teammate, Andrew Benintendi, due to his vaccination status. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Merrifield to the Blue Jays might be the greatest troll ever. Im excited. Hes had four seasons with bWARs above 3. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff2') format('woff2'), url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff') format('woff');font-weight:700;font-style:normal;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item .icon__subnav-arrow{-webkit-transform:rotate(-90deg);-ms-transform:rotate(-90deg);transform:rotate(-90deg);margin-right:0;width:11px;height:11px;float:none;}/*!sc*/ This is a trade that the Blue Jays needed to make. data-styled.g172[id="Styles__AppContainer-jwcsl0-0"]{content:"hUHmCp,"}/*!sc*/. And with two black holes in the lineup, plus Gordons months-long injury recovery, Merrifield couldnt crack the lineup. Whitley David Merrifield (born January 24, 1989) is an American professional baseball second baseman and outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Or, to be more accurate, it should have began on July 8, 2015. Or, to be more accurate, it should have began on July 8, 2015. I just wish the Royals knew what they had when they had it, and knew when to let it go. .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(3){-webkit-transform:rotate(-45deg);-ms-transform:rotate(-45deg);transform:rotate(-45deg);}/*!sc*/ Home. textarea{overflow:auto;}/*!sc*/ .groqnz .ad-body-container .ad-body-inner-container::before{color:#dddddd;content:"ADVERTISEMENT";display:block;font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;font-size:0.694rem;line-height:13px;position:absolute;top:17px;text-align:center;width:100%;}/*!sc*/ button,input,optgroup,select,textarea{font-family:inherit;font-size:100%;line-height:1.15;margin:0;}/*!sc*/ /*-->*/ 34 in OOTP Baseball is about the end of the line. The Blue Jays are bringing the game to opponents doorsteps, and the new guy loves it. Free Agent: 2024, More Whit Merrifield Pages at Baseball Reference, 2022 Blue Jays .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight:hover{background-color:lighten;}/*!sc*/ The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. .cwEpxl{height:100%;width:100%;border:transparent;background:none;cursor:pointer;-webkit-transition:0.2s;transition:0.2s;padding:0px;}/*!sc*/ It will also be crucial for Merrifield to deliver on his expectations as his contract includes an $18 million mutual option in 2024, with a $500,000 buy-out. Listen to The Drive with Danny & Cdot on 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City from 2-6 pm. [19][20], Overall with the 2020 Kansas City Royals, Merrifield batted .282 with nine home runs and 30 RBIs in 60 games. This hasnt been an issue for Toronto's players, of course, because while the same rules apply to them entering the United States, theyve all been vaccinated. .fuMUTu rect{fill:#ffffff;stroke:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ When I first heard that, I was very disappointed. Whit Merrifield was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 9th round of the 2010 MLB June Amateur Draft from University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC). .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item:focus,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item:hover{border-radius:3px;background-color:#dddddd;color:#002867;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search-item a{bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g147[id="Styles__MarkdownContainer-dxqlie-0"]{content:"eJdqRG,"}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g29[id="linkstyle__AnchorElement-sc-1rt6me7-0"]{content:"kKeedG,"}/*!sc*/ .XOHMa{bottom:0;left:0;position:absolute;right:0;top:0;}/*!sc*/ Thats why hes here.. Its sad, too. He played collegiate baseball at the University of South Carolina from 2008 to 2010. .jbYgiH{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(12,minmax(0,1fr));grid-gap:24px;margin:0 auto;max-width:967px;}/*!sc*/ He is a two-time All-Star, and led the . data-styled.g161[id="newsletterOptinstyle__Submit-sc-d7sh2p-6"]{content:"huJzbO,"}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.account{-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;padding:0 0 0 4px;white-space:nowrap;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input::-webkit-input-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ From top to bottom, its exciting baseball. Menu Thats the only reason that I would think about getting it at this point, is to go to Canada, Merrifield said, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. The Blue Jays are bringing the game to opponents doorsteps, and the new guy loves it.\n\nI love running, Merrifield said, grinning. Steamer doesnt think hell be great. Merrifield was only able to cement a spot in 2017 with his own solid play, yes, but without any legitimate talent coming down the pipeline to supplant him. [type="checkbox"],[type="radio"]{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}/*!sc*/ [24], On August 2, 2022, Merrifield was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Max Castillo and Samad Taylor. .huJzbO{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}/*!sc*/ Whitley David Merrifield is an active Major League Baseball player with the Toronto Blue Jays (2022-Today), who played previously for the Kansas City Royals (2016-2022). in Florence, SC Next: wHIT Merrifield Helps Royals Revive Walking Dead Offense. Merrifield, who was in a four-man competition for the starting second-base job this spring, said he was told at the end of camp to just go down there [to Omaha] and work., Merrifield principally was called up to jump-start a sagging offense. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.locale,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.search{display:none;}/*!sc*/ .ezZJVn:hover{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ .blUWSx .share-list{position:absolute;list-style:none;margin:0;margin-left:2px;padding:0;margin-top:3px;margin-right:10px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team + .p-search-item--player:before{border-top:1px solid #ddd;content:'Players';left:10px;right:10px;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__secondary-logos{-webkit-flex-basis:75%;-ms-flex-preferred-size:75%;flex-basis:75%;}}/*!sc*/ #react-header{width:100%;}/*!sc*/ No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button{background:none;border:none;padding:0 16px 0 0;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}/*!sc*/ Royals Reportedly "More Open" To Trading Whit Merrifield Than In Past. And when Merrifield broke out, the Royals, doomed by nearly a decade of draft class failures and league-worst pitching development, were toast. .mHQYb .p-search__input--icon.close-icon:hover{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ vs. BOS 3 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, Rookie Status: .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.account--logged-in.active::after{opacity:1;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__logo a{-webkit-flex:1 0 auto;-ms-flex:1 0 auto;flex:1 0 auto;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search-item__image-thumbnail{margin-top:auto;height:45px;}/*!sc*/ [27], In 2022 he batted .250/.298/.375 in 550 plate appearances, and was the only qualified batter in the major leagues who was not hit by a pitch all year. 2 All-Star ( 2019, 2021) 3 AL stolen base leader (2017, 2018, 2021) Whitley David Merrifield (born January 24, 1989) is an American professional baseball second baseman and outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). .hspSPq svg path{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ If he gets off to a good start, hell play a lot. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-black-italic.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-black-italic.woff') format('woff');font-style:italic;font-weight:900;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ However, I cant help but think that the current world had one of the worst outcomes: Merrifield still hasnt gotten to play for a contender, the Royals still lost a bunch of games, the Royals never got a premier prospect in return for Merrifield trade, and the Royals still ended up trading Merrifield but only after comments of his riled up a large portion of the franchise fans. data-styled.g166[id="Styles__VideoPlayerContainer-t94iyc-0"]{content:"XOHMa,"}/*!sc*/ Ill be in Toronto when the team goes there, Merrifield said. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__logo img{width:auto;min-height:31px;max-height:31px;height:100%;}/*!sc*/ Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. [21], In 2021, Merrifield hit .277/.317/.395 with 10 home runs and 74 RBIs. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item{color:#222222;background-color:#ffffff;font-size:14px;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight:hover .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu__link:hover{background-color:#e2e2e2;color:#002867;border-radius:3px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner a,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner span{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .hUHmCp > article .ad-bottom-right-container{margin-top:64px;}/*!sc*/ They love to run, so thats right up my alley.. And/or he could take a share of second base if Santiago Espinal hits as he did in the second half of last season. (Age 27-115d, Kyle Isbel #28. . Merrifield's father, Bill, played college baseball for Wake Forest University, and spent six seasons in Minor League Baseball, primarily as a third baseman. .groqnz.markdown,.groqnz.photo figcaption,.groqnz.oembed .social-embed{padding:0 16px;}/*!sc*/ He passed that down to my 3 uncles and they passed that on to their . But now that the biggest question of all has been answered, Toronto can exhale and focus on the postseason race ahead. his acquisition by the Blue Jays on Tuesday. .fuMUTu path{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ abbr[title]{border-bottom:none;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;-webkit-text-decoration:underline dotted;text-decoration:underline dotted;}/*!sc*/ Merrifield married his wife Jordan Michael on December 28, 2019. .mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu{background:#ffffff;border-top:solid 4px #002867;box-shadow:0 2px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.2);box-shadow:6px 6px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.25);left:-99em;opacity:0;padding:10px;position:absolute;right:0;-webkit-transition:opacity 1ms ease 1ms;transition:opacity 1ms ease 1ms;width:160px;z-index:99992;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__sponsor-url-logos{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-ms-flex-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;}/*!sc*/ .hspSPq:hover{cursor:pointer;background-color:#0462CC;}/*!sc*/ Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. The Mariners are making a push to trade for INF/OF Whit Merrifield of the Royals, sources tell me and @DKramer_. For a player who was worth 1.5 fWAR in . .mHQYb .p-search{display:block;position:relative;color:#333333;width:inherit;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input::-moz-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ Gambling problem? 1 ago. [type="number"]::-webkit-inner-spin-button,[type="number"]::-webkit-outer-spin-button{height:auto;}/*!sc*/ Max pitched in 5 games, 4 starts and had a 9.16 ERA. .mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team:first-of-type:before,.mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team + .p-search-item--player:before{color:#737373;font-size:12px;position:absolute;left:10px;top:10px;padding-top:12px;}/*!sc*/ And it happened again on Sunday when I saw Blue Jays right fielder Whit Merrifield hit a home run against the Yankees that bounced on the top of the wall not once, but twice. window.appId = '' .mHQYb .p-search__list:focus{outline:0;}/*!sc*/ Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database. He made that evident quickly on Thursday, picking up two hits and an RBI and blazing around the bases to score on a George Springer single. data-styled.g145[id="Styles__StickyHeaderContent-sc-1wye7kw-1"]{content:"jbYgiH,"}/*!sc*/ Whit Merrifield is a 34-year-old, right-handed hitting second baseman/outfielder (and he also played some first base for us, and he pitched an inning for us last year). @media screen and (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item:hover{background-color:#057AFF;}}/*!sc*/ I like 'Whit Merrifield's Granddad' for Cain's nickname. .cwEpxl:hover{background-color:transparent;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-extrabold.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-extrabold.woff') format('woff');font-style:normal;font-weight:800;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ .groqnz .ad-body-container{border-color:#dddddd;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 1px 0;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;margin:0 2%;min-height:343px;width:96%;}/*!sc*/ .HQoYx{border:0;padding:0;text-align:center;}/*!sc*/ From 2017 to '21, he ranked top five in SB3 each year. Whit Merrifield is on Twitter at WhitMerrifield. When Alex Gordon was injured in a game in July 2015, Whit Merrifield was . I dont think well see him steal 40 bases ever again, but he could stay in that 10-20 range. Whit Merrifield getting traded to Toronto is easily the funniest thing that could have happened .blUWSx{height:30px;position:relative;width:30px;}/*!sc*/ Star player Alex Gordon injured his groin attempting to make a catch in deep left field. details{display:block;}/*!sc*/ Probably 275 wins between them. I cant imagine there is any possibility that the Jays will be picking up that option. All rights reserved. Whit will make $6.75 million and has a mutual option worth $18 million next year, with a $500,000 buyout. @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__tagline{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-pack:start;justify-content:flex-start;}}/*!sc*/