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The SF Giants have agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with free-agent catcher Tom Murphy ( #46-ranked free agent ), according to multiple reports. The deal includes an option for a third season with just under $10 million in guarantees. Murphy was actually briefly a member of the Giants organization back in 2019, but has spent the past four seasons with the Seattle Mariners. He also had big-league stints with the Colorado Rockies from 2014-2018.
On the surface, it may seem confusing to see the Giants add a catcher given the emergence of Patrick Bailey as a defensive superstar in 2023. However, Bailey's offensive numbers took a significant step back over the course of the season. Moreover, backup catcher Blake Sabol struggled with inconsistency at the plate and behind the dish. Since Sabol has options remaining, it's easy to envision Murphy slotting into the backup catcher role, giving Sabol an opportunity to develop as an everyday backstop at Triple-A.
Murphy has undeniably had a unique MLB career. A 2012 third-round pick by the Rockies, Murphy quickly moved through Colorado's farm system as a well-regarded prospect before making his big-league debut in 2015. Murphy has consistently been an above-average hitter throughout his career thanks to exceptional power. Even with a 32.0% career strikeout rate, Murphy has still managed a .244/.313/.456 career triple-slash. He's been even better over the past two seasons, hitting .292/.357/.523 in 201 plate appearances with the Mariners.
However, he has also been significantly limited by injuries. Despite an MLB career that spans eight seasons, Murphy has still only played in 317 career games. Granted, the Giants likely hope that a less strenuous workload behind Bailey will help him stay healthy and be a potent power-hitting bat off the bench for manager Bob Melvin while also spelling Bailey against left-handed pitching.
It is worth noting that Murphy has had his defensive struggles as well. The 32-year old has only graded out as an above-average framer once in his career, per Catcher Framing Runs, and has never showcased an above-average ability to control the run game. Then again, with a defensive maestro like Bailey entrenched as the starter, it makes sense that the Giants' brass may be willing to risk a more weak defensive backup in exchange for some added pop.
On top of his solid overall offensive production, particularly for a catcher, Murphy has always been even more productive against southpaws. Over his career, the right-handed Murphy has an .842 OPS against lefties compared to a .707 OPS against same-sided pitching.
Here's what I wrote back in July, when I ranked the trade that sent Murphy to Seattle for pitching prospect Jesus Ozoria as the worst trade Farhan Zaidi had made since joining the organization:
Murphy has hit .243/.318/.444 in 213 games over the past four years with the Mariners and has graded out as league-average in almost every defensive category, per Statcast. Murphy has dealt with injuries, including missing the entire 2020 season, but he's been better than every Giants catcher except Posey and Patrick Bailey. Right now, he'd be the perfect platoon compliment for Bailey.
It seems that Zaidi agreed.
The acquisition does seem to signal that the end of Joey Bart's tenure with the SF Giants is likely near. The former second overall pick was already on the outskirts of the depth chart by the end of the 2023 season, and now with Bailey, Sabol, and Murphy taking up the top-three spots on the organization's catching depth chart, it seems like only a matter of time before Bart is traded or designated for assignment.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported that the two sides were nearing an agreement. Jon Heyman of The NY Post first reported that an agreement had been reached. Jon Morosi of MLB Network was the first to report the terms.
More must-reads:
- Why Brewers manager Pat Murphy continues to exceed expectations
- Why did the Orioles activate star player during last week of season?
- The 'Switch-hitter single-season HR leaders' quiz
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