The Rangers signed outfielder David Murphy to a one-year contract worth $2.4MM, avoiding arbitration, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com (via Twitter).
Murphy appeared in 138 games with Texas in 2010, primarily in left and right fields. The left-handed hitter posted a solid offensive season (.291/.358/.449 in 467 plate appearances) and was especially tough on right-handed pitchers (.298/.368/.479).
Scanning MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker, the Rangers now have four arbitration-eligible players remaining: Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton, C.J. Wilson and Darren O'Day. Reliever Mark Lowe, acquired midseason from the Mariners in the Cliff Lee swap, avoided arbitration in November. As well, free-agent reliever Frank Francisco accepted the Rangers' offer of arbitration.
jwsox
starting OF for the rangers LF-Hamilton CF-Burbon RF-Cruz…4th murphy? assuming burbon gets better on the basepaths with his speed and calms down at the plate. pretty good out field
oz10
Since you like to correct everybody else. His name is Borbon. And “out field” as you wrote is actually outfield.
It is better if you don’t throw stones in a glass house!
oz10
Since you like to correct everybody else. His name is Borbon. And “out field” as you wrote is actually outfield.
It is better if you don’t throw stones in a glass house!
Threat_Level_RedSox
Fare to say the rangers one the Eric Gagne trade.
jwsox
i dont know how someone “one” a trade…they may have WON the trade
Guest
But is that a “Fare” thing to say? 😉
kevmill21
best position prospect (engel beltre), a top 3rd/4th OF in the game for 3 straight seasons (murphy) and kason gabbard. Fair to say Gabbard was the highlight of the trade at the time too, so id say the rangers just lucked into that one
jcrabtree7
New guy on the writing crew?
Deadguy265
C’mon guys, you aren’t being fare to him.
txftw
Just curious, what do you guys think he trade value would be? The rangers have a few options, but Murphy has been really solid since he came to Texas so they’re probably not looking to deal him. I just wonder what his value is right now.
Threat_Level_RedSox
At least a good bullpen arm or maybe 4th-5th starter type, assuming the rangers arn’t takeing any money on. Could net double if he continues on this path near the deadline. Its feasable he could get as much attention as David Dejesus did at the trade deadline.
yazpik
He could be a great addition to the M´s if the price is right, maybe a package around Luke French + Anthony Varvaro??, he´s a pull hitter who could be benefit to play in Safeco, and sometimes he could be our 5th hitter, DH or splitting time with Michael Saunders…
CutTheString
If the M’s acquired Murphy he’d immediately become their 2nd best hitter. I’d love to see it.
CutTheString
If the M’s acquired Murphy he’d immediately become their 2nd best hitter. I’d love to see it.
scotsman1948
the outfield is set now. they need to get hamilton & cruz signed to multi-year contracts now and then CJ next year
optionn
At least the Rangers got rid of the worst player that always found a way to start 162 games a year in Francouer. Guy would somehow find a way to nail down a starting OF spot on a team.
Matt
Washington: “CRUZ! I said shave those sideburns! You’re on the bench! Francouer, you’re in!”
Cruz: “But Ron, this just isn’t FARE!!!”
Deadguy265
So is Hamilton the most valuable player in baseball right now? Pujols maybe? Who do you think?
gammaraze
If I’m not mistaken, Hamilton won the award for best player (or hitter) as voted on BY the players
Deadguy265
In the American League. In one season. I’m asking overall.
gammaraze
Maybe you missed the 2010 GIBBY Awards… where Josh Hamilton was named TYIB (this year in baseball) Player of the Year.
gammaraze
If I’m not mistaken, Hamilton won the award for best player (or hitter) as voted on BY the players
PhishTank
Love it. Murph’s a real asset to that team. I think he could probably start everyday for most teams, but he is super valuable in the role he’s in with the Rangers.
gammaraze
Since being acquired by the Rangers, Murphy only has 13 games at DH but has still managed over 400 ABs per year despite being a backup player. A player only needs 502 ABs to qualify for batting leaderboard status. He has never posted below a .785 OPS for the Rangers and only needs a starting role to take off and become the star that he has the potential of being.
Kris Noble
I don’t know how I like the picture, it’s different, dare I say, innovative! But I don’t like change, it’s not time for it now.
Jeff
I agree. Not really a fan of the picture. I prefer my MLBTR streamlined methinks.
DunkinDonuts
Thirded. It’s a bit jarring to have a photo flanked by all that white space, rather than a text wrap. Not to mention the fact that there appears to be no rhyme or reason to which articles get photos, unless MLBTR licensed a few generic player shots at a bargain-basement rate and decided not to waste them.
Tim Dierkes
Definitely won’t be going back to the no-photo approach. We might find ways to place them better regarding the white space and such, text wrapping is possible. We use two photos per day and the provider has tons of every player. We lean toward posts that are not likely to need an update since both things would go up top.
oz10
Then put the add on text at the bottom. Love the site but that is the one thing that kills me is if there is a bunch of updates and I haven’t been able to get on in awhile, I have to scroll to the bottom and then read, scroll up a bit and on and on. Oldest should be at the top and be able to read it as a normal paragraph.
HerbertAnchovy
I agree with the rest of you. I don’t like the photo either, it seems unnecessary and out of place.