An outfielder and versatile reserve, the Puerto Rican Merced played seven seasons with the Pirates then kicked around with the Blue Jays, Twins, Red Sox, Cubs and Expos before finding a second home in Houston.

Playing three seasons with the Astros (2001-2003), Merced hit .262 with 15 homers in 340 games. For his 13 years in the majors, Merced totalled a .277 average with 103 homers.