The Phillies added some versatility and contact to their team.
Whit Merrifield and Philadelphia have agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal to bring him to the Phillies, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed.
The contract includes a club option for a second season, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported.
Merrifield has become a valuable player on both sides of the ball during his career, having played six different positions on the diamond.
A two-time All-Star with the Royals, the 35-year-old struggled in 2022 but bounced back with the Blue Jays last season to earn his third All-Star nod.
Merrifield slashed .272/.318/.382 with 11 homers and 67 RBIs as Toronto earned an AL wild-card spot.
He also ranked in the 82nd percentile in whiff rate last season, giving the Phillies a hitter who can make contact and keep the strikeouts on the lower side.
Primarily a second baseman earlier in his career, he split his time equally between the middle infield and the outfield with the Blue Jays, spending 84 games at second and as many in the outfield in 2023.
Merrifield likely should see most of his time in the outfield with Bryson Stott entrenched at second base.
He could give the Phillies a decent option against lefties, as he’s put up a .793 OPS (111 OPS+) in his career against southpaws, though he hit just .259 against them last season.
Falling one game short of their second straight World Series appearance last year, the Phillies are now trying to reclaim the National League pennant in 2024.