Reds sign Mercker to minor league deal

[HalMorrisRules]

According to Trent:

The Reds signed LHP Kent Mercker to a minor league contract with a spring training invite.

Mercker sat out last season after elbow surgery. Mercker, a native of Dublin, Ohio, appeared in 37 games for the Reds in 2006.

Mercker was also mentioned in the Mitchell Report. In the report, former Mets employee Kirk Radomski told investigators that he sold one kit of human growth hormone to Mercker for $1,600. A copy of a check or $1,600 from Mercker to Radomski was included in the report.

Fellow left-handed reliever Mike Stanton was also named in the Mitchell Report.

[Degenerate39]

I can't see Mercker having any success in baseball what so ever right now. He's 37 years old and he just came off elbow surgery. Unless he's going to be player/coach of sorts then this is a bad investment on the Reds side. It also doesn't help that Mercker was on the Mitchell Report. I hope they didn't pay much over the minimum.

[Natty Redlocks]

I can't see Mercker having any success in baseball what so ever right now. He's 37 years old and he just came off elbow surgery. Unless he's going to be player/coach of sorts then this is a bad investment on the Reds side. It also doesn't help that Mercker was on the Mitchell Report. I hope they didn't pay much over the minimum.

Actually, he's 40.

What the hell, the more the scarier.

[FreelFanatic]

I can't see Mercker having any success in baseball what so ever right now. He's 37 years old and he just came off elbow surgery. Unless he's going to be player/coach of sorts then this is a bad investment on the Reds side. It also doesn't help that Mercker was on the Mitchell Report. I hope they didn't pay much over the minimum.

I don't think it's much of an "investment" when it's a minor league deal. Low risk, high reward...just another arm for ST games. And he's a heck of a guy, from what I hear. Why not give him a shot, regardless of his age?

[Degenerate39]

I don't think it's much of an "investment" when it's a minor league deal. Low risk, high reward...just another arm for ST games. And he's a heck of a guy, from what I hear. Why not give him a shot, regardless of his age?

His arm will probably go out at any minute. If he can mentor some of the younger pitchers then I'm all for it but other than that I just see it as a waste of money.

[FreelFanatic]

His arm will probably go out at any minute. If he can mentor some of the younger pitchers then I'm all for it but other than that I just see it as a waste of money.

I think we're all arguing the same pointless argument here. They're giving a respected veteran (Mitchell report notwithstanding) a Spring Training cup of coffee. He's not going to push anyone out of their spot. If miraculously he's a live enough arm to make the roster, it's obviously in place of someone that had to earn their spot and didn't do it. No blood, no foul.

[XU Lou]

I don't think it's much of an "investment" when it's a minor league deal. Low risk, high reward...just another arm for ST games. And he's a heck of a guy, from what I hear. Why not give him a shot, regardless of his age?

Agreed FreelFan, there is no risk in such a move and it would be a good experience for the younger pitchers to work next to him. Good move WK

[Handofdeath]

He's 37 years old and he just came off elbow surgery.

According to Baseball-Reference.com, Mr Mercker turned 40 a week ago.

[Degenerate39]

According to Baseball-Reference.com, Mr Mercker turned 40 a week ago.

My mistake

[redlegs7089]

merker > stanton thats the way i see it

[OesterPoster]

He no longer has the arm of a 40 year old though, unless he's been throwing baseballs with the ligaments which went into his new elbow.

I like it. If he bombs, big deal. If he makes the team, then he's earned it.

[Reverend Doo-Rag]

Lets give Gabe White another go-around too.

[Handofdeath]

Lets give Gabe White another go-around too.

No way he leaves his present job. He's the only one there who can fit into the Chuck E. Cheese costume.

[GoReds33]

I like it. If it means less innings for Stanton, I'm all for it. He's got the smarts. It's not like he had a great pitch anyway. He didn't lose his mind while he was off too.

[durl]

I'm fine with it. Give the guy a shot and see what he does. Prior to his 2006 problems (4.13 ERA), he finished with ERAs of 3.65, 2.55, 2.35, and 1.06.

I don't care if he's 74. If he can post an ERA under 5, he'd be an improvement over last year's bullpen.