Phillies Sign Whit Merrifield to One-Year Deal

The Phillies finally made a move.

Dave Dombrowski has added veteran utility man Whit Merrifield, signing him to a one-year, $8-million deal with a club option for 2025.

The 35-year-old is coming off a productive year, hitting 272 with 11 homers, 67 RBI and 26 stolen bases making the All-Star game for the Toronto Blue Jays.

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Merrifield, a right-handed bat, adds depth to the roster, which is very left-handed heavy. He gives the Phillies a much better option behind Bryson Stott at second base and Brandon Marsh in left field, and could also play some right filed, giving Nick Castellanos some time off.

He has made three All-Star games and has played first, second, third and all three outfield positions during this career.

Alec Bohm beats the Phillies in arbitration

Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm will make $4 million in salary this season, winning is arbitration case against the Phillies, who offered $3.4 million.

Bohm slashed.274/.327/.437 with 20 home runs and 97 RBI last season,

Phillies add pitching depth

The Philadelphia Phillies added more organization depth to their pitching staff, signing right-handed pitcher Ricardo Pinto to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.

Pinto was with the Phillies during the 2017 season, appearing in 25 games with Philadelphia, striking out 25 batters in 29.2 innings pitched, going 1-2 with a 7.89 ERA.

He also appeared in to games with Tampa Bay during the 2019 season.

The 30-year-old shined recently was in the Caribbean Series and Venezuela Finals, where he went a combined 4-0 in 21.2 innings, giving up just one run with 25 strikeouts and nine walks.

One thing that has changed with Pinto since he was last with the Phillies in 2017 is he added a splitter which has helped him put more hitters way with two strikes.