Another former Pirate is off the free-agent market.
The Tigers and Jordy Mercer agreed to a one-year, $5.25-million deal Wednesday, with the 32-year-old filling a middle infield need for a Detroit club that has prospects at the position but needs time to bring them along. The deal also includes up to $250,000 in incentive bonuses.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that Jim Leyland, the former Pirates manager and current special assistant in the Tigers organization, played a big role in bringing Mercer from Pittsburgh, where Leyland still lives.
Jim Leyland, who sees a lot of his hometown #Pirates, always has thought highly of new #Tigers shortstop Jordy Mercer -- undoubtedly a key factor in Detroit's decision to sign him. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 12, 2018
Mercer spent the past seven seasons with the Pirates, hitting .256 in that time. He was brought up to the majors as an understudy to Clint Barmes before taking over the shortstop position himself, and the Tigers likely envision Mercer serving in a mentorship role with their club.
Last season, Mercer batted .251 with six home runs and 39 RBIs. In total, he appeared in 821 games for the Pirates — 772 of them at shortstop.
The Pirates did not attempt to re-sign Mercer after he made $6.75 million last season. Instead, the club will likely go with 27-year-old Erik Gonzalez, acquired last month in a trade with the Indians, and 25-year-old rookie Kevin Newman, who made his major league debut Aug. 16 last season.