Longtime big-league catcher Tom Murphy just added his name to the list of free agents who will be looking for new opportunities this winter.
Murphy was in the final season of a two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants this year and hoped to back up Gold Glove winner Patrick Bailey behind the dish. But he suffered a herniated disk in his back during spring training and couldn’t return to play a single game all season.
The Giants had an avenue to keep Murphy around for a third year if they so chose, but it wasn’t a surprise to see them turn that down.
According to multiple reports, including one from Maria Guardado of MLB.com, the Giants declined Murphy’s $4 million club option for next season and will pay the 11-year veteran a $250,000 buyout. Murphy then elected free agency on Monday, according to the official transactions log of Major League Baseball.
Last season, in what will likely be his only campaign in the orange and black, Murphy slashed .118/.211/.235 in 13 games, and he spent most of the year on the injured list with a left knee sprain. Pound for pound, he wound up being one of the least economical free-agent signings of the decade in San Francisco.
The 34-year-old Murphy has had some productive seasons, though. Health has always been a question, but during his stint with the Seattle Mariners, he put up a 128 OPS+ in 75 games in 2019, and a 141 OPS+ in 47 games in 2023, which prompted the Giants to give him a nice payday.
San Francisco used Andrew Knizner as its primary backup for Bailey for most of the season, but he looks to be a prime non-tender candidate after posting just a 73 OPS+ in 33 games this year.
As the Giants look for new solutions, Murphy just has to hope some team will take a chance on him to stay healthy for once. At his best, he can be a useful bat, especially against lefties. But every team wants players who will be there when called upon, and Murphy hasn’t proven lately that he fits in that category.
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