I imagine he means that he didn't have to win to keep his job. Next year he will have to. Saying that, I think it's an organizational decision based on analytics that it's the best coarse of action. I disagree.
Mercado was going to have to throw across his body to get the runner at 1B. Most likely it would have been loaded bases and no outs.
I hate this new thought process that you run on all ground ball contact with the runner on 3rd no matter show many outs.
Watching all of the minor league games as well. Jackson Holliday just got his first Delmarva RBI, walking with the bases loaded. Some really nice swing decisions by Jackson, Fabian, Beavers and Hodo.