Cleveland is opting for outfielder Oscar Mercado, via Zack Meisel from The Athletic. This is somewhat surprising, given that Mercado had been a candidate for a role in Cleveland’s uncertain mix of outfield.
After a productive rookie display in 2019, Mercado opened the 2020 season as Cleveland’s central defender. The speedster fell to the ground, however, hitting only 0.128 / 0.174 / 0.174 with a single home run in 93 plate appearances. These struggles caused Mercado to be sent to the alternative training site in mid-August; Bradley Zimmer and the late Delino DeShields Jr. and Greg Allen gained playing time in the position along the straight.
The relegation of Sunday’s market seems to pave the way for Zimmer to take up most of his playing time at the center early in the season. The 28-year-old Zimmer has only one .224 / .300 / .349 line in 510 MLB plate appearances. Shortstop Amed Rosario also got some work on the grass in spring training and it seems likely that he will get representatives at the center in the regular season. Prospect Daniel Johnson may be an option at some point, but he was also excluded earlier this week. Jake Bauers, Jordan Luplow, Josh Naylor, Harold Ramírez, Franmil Reyes and Eddie Rosario is on the list of 40 players, but everyone in that group fits better in the outer corner court.
In other news from Cleveland, Rule 5 writer Trevor Stephan will be on the Opening Day list, MLB.com’s Mandy Bell was among those to be observed. The 25-year-old righty was selected by the Yankees’ organization. He will need to remain on the active squad (or the MLB injured list) for the entire season or else be placed on exemption and then be offered back to New York.