Pittsburgh Pirates: The Team Can Improve By Selling

(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Jordy Mercer

Right now the Pittsburgh Pirates starting shortstop is hitting for an unspectacular slash line of .245/.307/.383.  All of those numbers are below league average and has given him a negative WAR of -0.5.  He also does not exactly bring much to the table defensively anymore either.  While he still makes the routine plays that are expected, he is never going to make the play deep in the hole.  His metrics suggest that he is below league average with a UZR of -1.1 and a UZR/150 of -1.9.  Even worse is his defensive runs saved, which is sitting at -10 for the season.  While Jordy Mercer has been one of the steadier shortstops in the National League over the last five years, his time should be coming to an end.

He could be a valuable back up infielder to a team.  If not that, there is always the possibility of a contending team losing their shortstop to injury who needs a proven stopgap. Also, he is on an expiring contract so a team will not be locked into him for the next season.  For the 2018 season, he is making $6,750,000.  Obviously, an acquiring team will not be taking on a lot of payroll by acquiring him.