When the MLB non-tender deadline passed last Friday, Nov. 21, all the Philadelphia Phillies' arbitration-eligible players were tendered contracts for 2026. The two surprises who weren't offered contracts for next season were right-handers Michael Mercado and Daniel Robert. Neither was eligible for arbitration, but the Phillies obviously wanted to clear some room on the 40-man roster.
That wasn't the end for Mercado, however. After being non-tendered and hitting free agency, Mercado was invited back just days later. Instead of testing the waters and trying his hand with another organization, the Phillies re-signed Mercado to a minor league contract that flew under the offseason news radar.