ST. LOUIS — Jordy Mercer doesn't plan on picking up a bat or glove for at least two weeks once his offseason begins. He'll take his 6-year-old son, Maverick, to school every morning, grab a cup of coffee with his wife, Kasey, and catch up on all that he's missed over the previous eight months.
It won't be until he feels the "itch" that he'll begin to work in Oklahoma City to prepare for his eighth big-league season. This winter will be different for Mercer, though. He's set to become a free agent for the first time in his career, but he's not ready for this season to end.
Mercer, reflecting on his future hours before he went 0 for 3 with a walk in the Pirates' 5-0 loss to the Cardinals Thursday night at Busch Stadium, said he wants to use the final month to prove to teams, particularly the Pirates, he's healthy and his best days aren't behind him. He's done a fine job of making his case since the All-Star break.
"For me, coming off injury, I just want to be healthy," Mercer told DKPittsburghSports.com. "I want to show people that I can still play and be productive. I want to show the Pirates that, too. Ultimately, this is where I want to be. I don’t want to go anywhere. I don’t know any better. I’ve been a Pirate for life. I think that’s the biggest thing for me."
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