Padres Sign Ex-Cardinals Outfielder To Bolster Positional Depth
The St. Louis Cardinals have been focused on retooling their pitching staff this winter after a poor performance in 2023.
The club has a solid defense and an offense that ranked No. 13 in the league with a .742 OPS last season -- most weapons will be returning come Opening Day.
The one area that doesn't lack talent is the outfield so it's no surprise to see the Cardinals pass on a reunion with a former outfielder who reportedly signed with a National League foe.
"The (San Diego) Padres have signed catcher Kevin Plawecki and outfielder Óscar Mercado to minor-league contracts that include invites to spring training," FanSided's Robert Murray reported Thursday.
Mercado batted .237 with 77 extra-base hits including 26 home runs, 100 RBIs, and .677 OPS throughout the five seasons he's played in the majors for the Cleveland Guardians, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cardinals.
The 29-year-old was drafted in the second round by St. Louis in 2013 but didn't see the big leagues until after being traded to Cleveland -- where he made his Major League Baseball debut in 2019.
The Columbian outfielder eventually returned to St. Louis in 2023 where he logged .290/.313/.387 in 31 plate appearances but was designated for assignment over the summer and did not return to the organization.
The Cardinals recently made a trade to solve the logjam of outfielders they had, so it makes sense that St. Louis wouldn't hold onto Mercado or bring him back for positional depth.
If there's a reunion to be made, it's with a former fireballer who the Cardinals are looking to bring back to their bullpen.
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