Rockies move on from three-time All-Star Daniel Murphy
The Colorado Rockies are moving on from three-time All-Star infielder Daniel Murphy.
According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), the Rockies declined Murphy's $12 million option and instead gave him a buyout of $6 million. The 35-year-old now enters free agency.
Murphy signed with the Rockies on a two-year contract worth $24 million, with a mutual third-year option, in December 2018 but never found his best form at the plate despite hitting at Coors Field during home games. Across 172 contests with Colorado, Murphy hit .269 with 16 home runs, 94 RBI, and 95 strikeouts.
Murphy spent time with the New York Mets from 2008 through 2015 and became a household name, not to mention a New York fan-favorite, when he belted seven postseason home runs and helped the Mets win the pennant during his final fall with the franchise. He also became the first player in MLB history to hit homers in six consecutive playoff games.
Murphy rejected a qualifying offer from the Amazins that offseason and instead signed for the division rival Washington Nationals. With Washington, Murphy enjoyed two seasons with at least 20 home runs and no fewer than 90 RBI, and he finished second in National League Most Valuable Player voting for the 2016 campaign.
Washington traded Murphy to the Chicago Cubs in August 2018.
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