Merced broke in with the Bucs as a switch-hitter, but decided to commit to just the left side in 1993 in the hope of playing every day. That season he batted .313 with a .414 OBP. Merced's knack for getting key hits off the bench kept him in the bigs, and spent the best part of his career with the Pirates from 1990-96. Never much of a home-run threat, his discipline and concentration at the plate made him a tough out.
Merced left Pittsburgh to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997, but a shoulder injury ended his season 98 games into the campaign. He never recovered either offensively or defensively. In 1998-99 four teams traded for him, hoping he would regain his old form, but one-by-one their hopes were dashed as he struggled to a .268 average and played sloppy defense.
By 2000, the 33-year-old Merced had lost so much bat speed that he found himself playing in Japan, where he only managed to hit .225. In 2001 he signed a minor-league contract with the Houston Astros and made the team out of spring training as a left-handed pinch-hitter. (EPW)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»November 14, 1996:
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Pittsburgh Pirates complete a 9-player swap with the Jays acquiring the 2B they are looking for in 29-year-old Carlos Garcia. In addition, the Jays pick up OF Orlando Merced and reliever Dan Plesac. The Bucs receive six prospects, including pitchers Jose Pett and Jose Silva, along with Knoxville IF Brandon Cromer and three players to be named.
»July 31, 1998:
The Twins trade P Greg Swindell and 1B-OF Orlando Merced to the Red Sox in exchange for P Matt Kinney, Joe Thomas and John Barnes.
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