While the Los Angeles Dodgers regularly are involved for the top players available in free agency and the trade market, they also have a long line of success with filling out their organizational depth.
In some instances, like signing Jason Heyward to a Minor League contract, that amounts to making an impact at the Major League level. In other cases, such as with Yonny Hernández, Tyler Cyr, Steven Duggar and others, the bulk of contributions come with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The Dodgers also had MLB veteran Kole Calhoun for part of this season before he was traded to the Cleveland Guardians.
Now the Dodgers have added another player with MLB experience by signing Óscar Mercado to a Minor League contract, according to Steve Adams of MLBTradeRumors.com:
Outfielder Oscar Mercado has signed a minor league deal with the #Dodgers, per source. Headed to Triple-A OKC for now. Mercado opted out of a minor league deal with the #Padres last week
— Steve Adams (@Adams_Steve) August 26, 2023
Mercado signed a Minor League contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and he joined the team in the middle of May after beginning the season with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.
Mercado batted .290/.313/.387 with three doubles and five RBI in 20 games for the Cardinals, but was designated for assignment on July 3.
The 28-year-old had two stellar performances against the Dodgers during a four-game series at Busch Stadium from May 18-21. Mercado had two three-hit performances in the series, including one game with five RBI.
After electing for free agency, Mercado signed a Minor League deal with the San Diego Padres. He batted .339/.399/.669 with five doubles, three triples, 10 home runs and 37 RBI over 31 games with Triple-A El Paso.
Mercado didn’t make it onto the Padres’ roster and became a free agent for the second time this season by exercising an opt-out clause in his contract.
Is Óscar Mercado eligible for postseason with Dodgers?
Because Mercado has joined the Dodgers organization before the 9 p.m. PT deadline on August 31, he is postseason eligible with the team.
However, that may not be a likely outcome for Mercado given the outfield depth ahead of him.
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