Should Pirates Consider Trading Jordy Mercer?

With the annual Trade Deadline approaching, the Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to be in full buy mode. While the offense has been a force all season long, the Pirates have a prime opportunity to improve the pitching staff in the days leading up to the August 1 deadline.

With the Pirates having needs amongst their pitching staff, it brings up the question of who the Pirates would give up to get this help? It also made me want to explore the possibility of the Pirates trading a player like Jordy Mercer.

Here are the pros and cons of the Bucs moving their starting shortstop.

Pros

Opens up the door for prospects to take over

The Pirates have a ton of depth when it comes to middle infield prospects. Utility man Adam Frazier, who played 220 career minor league games at shortstop, has made a huge impact at the major league level since making his debut on June 24. In 14 games for the Pirates, the 24-year old is hitting .333 with one double, one triple, two RBIs, three stolen bases and a .360 On-Base Percentage in 25 plate appearances.

It may not seem like he has made much of an impact, but he has. Frazier has played three different positions since being called up and has provided the Pirates with a versatile young bench bat.

Frazier also put up some impressive numbers in the minor leagues, numbers that warranted the call up for the former sixth round draft pick.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”#000000″ class=”” size=””]Mercer’s contract situation may be another reason to consider him a trade possibility.[/perfectpullquote]

At Triple-A Indianapolis this season, Frazier didn’t show much power, but was a big time run producer who hit for average. Frazier hit at a .333/.401/.425 clip with 16 doubles, 22 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 68 games.

Frazier is still adjusting to major league pitching, but he would be a good candidate to replace Mercer at shortstop and even platoon at the position. The Pirates also have middle infield prospects such as Max Moroff, Cole Tucker, Kevin Newman and Alen Hanson who could make an impact in the future at the major league level.

It may not be ideal for the Pirates to have a rookie become the replacement for a guy of Mercer’s caliber, but with Frazier’s talent, it is certainly an intriguing thought to consider.

Mercer’s stock has never been higher

When it comes to a trade involving Mercer, the return could be impressive. The 29-year old is arguably in the midst of his best offensive season, hitting .270 with six home runs, 32 RBIs, 37 walks and a .357 OBP in 87 games.

Mercer has also flown under the radar as one of the best offensive shortstops in the National League. Don’t believe me? Well, the numbers don’t lie.

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The Pirates shortstop can also be compared to some of the best shortstops in baseball. This season, Mercer ranks 11th amongst MLB shortstops in batting average, 17th in RBIs, sixth in OBP, and second in walks.

Mercer probably wouldn’t get much in return in a straight up deal, but placing him in a package deal may make it more intriguing for another ball club looking for a shortstop.

The Pirates will likely be looking for bullpen help and maybe even rotation help, so Mercer could be an interesting trade chip if they are willing to part ways with their solidified starter at the shortstop position.

Mercer’s season may not go unnoticed to another team and they could offer up something very intriguing if Mercer was involved. Again, not saying that this is going to happen, but it is a possibility that shouldn’t be ignored.

Friendly contract for another team

Mercer’s contract situation may be another reason to consider him a trade possibility. He is currently in his first year of arbitration and has two arbitration years remaining before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2019. By the time that Mercer is a free agent, he will be 33-years old and the odds of the Pirates resigning him may be unlikely. Until then, it may be realistic to think the Pirates will either get what they can for him in a trade before his contract expires or wait it out and allow him to have an impact for the team until the end of the deal.

By then, the Pirates may also have other options at the shortstop position when it comes to the young middle infield prospects that I mentioned.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”#000000″ class=”” size=””]When it comes to a trade involving Mercer, the return could be impressive.[/perfectpullquote]

There are bound to be other teams that would be interested in locking up Mercer once he becomes a free agent, but the Pirates may not be one of them. If Mercer were to be dealt at the deadline, he would provide another team with two more arbitration years in 2017 and 2018, which could be intriguing for a team the Pirates could be dealing with.

Though it may be unlikely that the Pirates resign Mercer to an extension before he becomes a free agent in 2019, his contract could also double as a con for trading him and a reason to keep him around for the next few seasons.

Kang return to shortstop? 

Again, this likely wouldn’t be a possibility, but it could be an intriguing idea. If Mercer would be dealt, the Pirates may not only need to rely on young prospects to replace him. Though the Bucs have been very adamant about Jung Ho Kang being their third baseman, he is also capable of playing shortstop.

Kang played in 60 games at shortstop last season and could be an option at the position. With his absence at third base,  it would open the door for David Freese to get more of an opportunity at more playing time at the hot corner without having to share much time. Freese may be a trade option himself, but if Mercer were to be dealt, he could be a veteran the Pirates would want to keep around, especially due to his playoff experience.

Cons

Under the radar leader and improved offensive player

While players such as Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison have endured struggles this season, guys like Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco have obviously led the team. However, Mercer has flown under the radar as a huge impact player.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”#000000″ class=”” size=””]Though Frazier could be a good option at shortstop in the future, his role right now may be solidified[/perfectpullquote]

His defense over at shortstop hasn’t gone unnoticed over the years, but his offense has obviously helped the Pirates when they’ve needed it most. This season, he is on pace to set a career high in RBIs, possibly crush his career high in runs scored and could tie his career high in home runs with 12.

Compared to others on the team, Mercer’s offensive statistics are more impressive than people may think. In fact, Mercer has the same amount of home runs and RBIs this season as Starling Marte, one of the best young outfielders in baseball and a 2016 NL all star.

Mercer has had a much better approach at the plate, lowering his strikeout rate from 17 percent last season to 14.5 percent this season. He has also already set a career high with 37 walks and improved his walk percentage from 6.3 percent last season to 10.8 percent this season.

As much as trading Mercer could be an intriguing idea, it may also be beneficial for the team to keep him around due to his improved plate presence and overall ability.

May not want to change role of Frazier, rush progress of prospects 

Though Frazier could be a good option at the shortstop in the future, his role right now may be solidified. At this point, Frazier has served tremendously as a Sean Rodriguez like super utility man and a young bench bat.

Frazier’s role at the moment is very similar to Josh Harrison’s role early on in his career. Before Harrison became the everyday second baseman, he played every position in the infield, aside from first base, as well as every outfield position. While showing a ton of versatility, Harrison also showed promise on offense. This eventually led to Harrison proving himself enough to gain an everyday job at one particular position.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”#000000″ class=”” size=””]It may not be ideal for the Pirates to have a rookie become the replacement for a guy of Mercer’s caliber[/perfectpullquote]

This may be the plan for Frazier, who may be considered a better player than Harrison was at that point in his career.

With Frazier playing the role of super utility man at the moment, the Pirates may want to keep Mercer around, at least until they are confident that Frazier could be a suitable replacement.

When it comes to the other prospects, keeping Mercer around for a longer period of time also gives them more time in the minors to continue their progress. It also gives the organization time to make sure they are completely ready once the time comes for them to arrive in Pittsburgh.

Mercer trade unlikely, but remains interesting possibility 

With the season that Mercer has had, he has established himself as an impact player for the Pirates. He is likely going to serve as a important piece in the second half of the season, not just on offense but on the defensive side.

Though a trade involving the stellar shortstop may remain unlikely, it is a possibility that hasn’t been talked about. It is a scenario that could help bring in some needed help if the Pirates were to look further into it and one that shouldn’t go unnoticed.