The Cleveland Indians and outfielder David Murphy have agreed to terms on a two-year contract, pending a physical. According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, the deal is expected to be worth more than $10 million. [UPDATE: The Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes reports the contract is for $12 million with a club option for a third year.]
Signing Murphy is a bit of a curious move for the Indians, who already have Michael Brantley, Michael Bourn, Ryan Raburn and Drew Stubbs on their roster. Murphy, 32, is also coming off his worst major league season, batting .220 with a .656 OPS, 13 home runs and 45 RBI. Presumably, he'll be part of a right-field platoon with Ryan Raburn, who signed a two-year extension with Cleveland in August. Murphy has a .280 average and .816 OPS against right-handed pitching during his eight-year MLB career.
Stubbs appears to be the odd man out and could be either non-tendered or traded. Other MLB clubs might see some appeal in a 29-year-old outfielder with speed (17 stolen bases in 2013) who can play all three outfield positions and has two more seasons of arbitration eligibility. However, he's never been a good hitter (.239 career average) and doesn't get on base enough (.310 career OBP) to utilize his speed.
This will also apparently keep Nick Swisher at first base full-time. Although he was already the Indians' regular first baseman, having started 101 games (and played 112) at the position this past season. Swisher could still make occasional appearances in right field, while also rotating as designated hitter with Carlos Santana and whomever else might need a day off in the field.
Letting Murphy go creates an opening in the Rangers outfield. That would seem to confirm that Texas will pursue Shin-Soo Choo in free agency or attempt to re-sign Nelson Cruz, both of which have been rumored. CBS Sports' Jon Heyman also reports that the Rangers have talked to the Dodgers about one of their outfielders, perhaps Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier.
An interesting sidenote to this Murphy story is how news of him signing with the Indians was initially discovered. Apparently, Murphy's 12-year-old daughter told her teachers that her father was going to the Indians. Murphy later confirmed that he was indeed signing with Cleveland. That had the usual MLB insiders, such as Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, pumping their sources to confirm the story.
David Murphy informed his daughter's daycare that he is signing with the Indians. This is, again, per my source close to the situation.
— Jamie Kelly (@JamieSportsTalk) November 20, 2013
This could change everything when it comes to offseason reporting and rumor chasing. Where do the players' kids go to school and what are their teachers and care providers hearing? Who will be assigned to the MLB daycare and grade school beat in the future?
