There used to be (and apparently still is) a saying across baseball: Never trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. For years, the Rays would seem to win every trade they made, turning heretofore unheralded prospects into productive major leaguers. (Who would eventually be traded away because the Rays are cheap.) However, the Phillies have shown that it is possible to get the better of the Rays, acquiring Jose Alvarado and Cristopher Sanchez in deals with Tampa.
Will they also strike gold with righthanded pitcher
Michael Mercado, who the team acquired from Tampa in November 2023? He seemingly has the stuff to succeed with a high-90s fastball and a plus curveball. A year ago, one prospect list had him ahead of Justin Crawford in the Phillies’ system.
But the results have not been there. Mercado has made cameo appearances for the Phillies the last two years and hasn’t shown an ability to get major league hitters out. Additionally, in his first season as a full-time reliever, his minor league numbers took a downturn in 2025. His hits, home runs, and walks per nine innings all increased over his 2024 rates, and his ERA went up by over two runs.
The stats
3 games, 3 IP, 0-0, 15.00 ERA, 12 K/9, 12 BB/9, -0.2 bWAR
What went right
In his first appearance with the big-league team, he pitched a scoreless inning.
What went wrong
His next two appearances went far worse, giving up five runs across two innings.
Mercado didn’t fare all that well in the minors either. After being used in both the rotation and bullpen in 2024, he was a full-time reliever in 2025. But the role switch didn’t help him, as he didn’t have good command of his pitches and allowed far too many baserunners.
His future with the Phillies
Sometimes, it takes pitchers who throw hard a few years to put it together. But Mercado will turn 27 this upcoming season, so time might be running out for him. If the Phillies need an additional spot on their 40-man roster, Mercado might be one of the first names to go.
Assuming he isn’t dropped and claimed, Mercado should be in camp with the Phillies. There will likely be bullpen jobs to be won, so if he can harness his stuff, he has an outside shot of winning one.
