The Red Sox have released outfielder David Murphy, the club announced. Murphy opted out of his minor league deal with the team yesterday, and the Sox had 48 hours to either release him or add him to the 25-man roster.
Murphy, 34, was signed last month to add some left-handed hitting depth to Boston’s outfield. Murphy’s chance at a roster spot, however, seemed to diminish as the Red Sox seemed to prefer two internal lefty-swingers (Brock Holt and Travis Shaw), and Murphy has no interest in a Triple-A assignment, hinting that he’d consider retiring before going back to the minors.
As Murphy’s release wasn’t unexpected, the Orioles and other teams have already been rumored to be interested in the veteran. Baltimore has been linked to such left-handed hitting outfield options as Murphy and the Pirates’ Matt Joyce since the O’s already seem disenchanted with Hyun Soo Kim. Murphy hit .283/.318/.421 with 10 homers over 391 plate appearances with the Angels and Indians last season. This is just my opinion, but a reunion with either of those teams wouldn’t be out of the question since both L.A. and Cleveland have unsettled outfields.
sigurd 2
The Sox clearly have no need for Murphy with future hall of famer and perennial all star Benintendi coming up through the system.
MB923
Wait for it
Mark 21
I see there are 2 profiles now with bigpapi3ever. Gots to deal with both idiots now LOL And then you have his dad on these threads who tell us to be nice to him all the time. These threads are really going to crap.
Wally-the-green-monster
Aren’t you a moderator? Respect should serve as the umbrella under which you operate. For all of us for that matter.
Mark 21
If I was a moderator there would be less trolls on these threads. I would have banned them a long time ago.
ryanw-2
There was a time when I moderated when trolls were shut down before they could even get started. Now it seems like they’ve backed off for some reason. I’d hate for this site to become another troll fest. I’m seeing it happening all over the place.
bobbyo4
It would be great to get the ‘ignore’ feature that is/was used in yahoo message boards. Best way to get rid of trolls, assuming that folks use it rather than responding.
Tim, Any way, this site can figure out how to add this in? I really like reading the knowledgeable comments but recently, some of this is causing me to lose interest.
hozie007
This was a mistake. Murphy is one of those guys that gets hits and RBI’s when they are needed. Here’s a prediction, whoever picks up Murphy goes to the playoffs.
mookiessnarl
Here’s another prediction. Nine teams that don’t pick up Murphy will also make the playoffs.
wants to be a GM
What if the Braves pick him up?
mookiessnarl
Playoffs here they come? How much magic does Murphy have in the tank?
wants to be a GM
30 WAR if he’s with the Braves.
bobbleheadguru
Yes. Cooperstown will have to create a new wing for all of the “can’t miss” Hall of Famers on the Red Sox Roster. Amazing that the 84 Tigers could not get anyone elected to the HOF, but these Red Sox might have a chance to get their entire roster in there.
mookiessnarl
Seems like a slight overreaction to releasing a guy competing for the 5th outfielder spot.
No Soup For Yu!
After everything Murphy did for the Rangers, it saddens me to see that his career may be over when he still has a fair amount to offer. Hopefully someone will pick him up.
RyanR
Yes Murphy has moments.
Logan 43
They should have kept him and traded him for Harvey ha
Wally-the-green-monster
No need to troll. We’ll find out if the Sox youth can do better.
lonestardodger
Can we wait to complain until the guy actually comments?
No Soup For Yu!
And can we also stop creating fake accounts that change his name only slightly in order to post “my Sox” comments ironically?
sportscoach
The Indians should pick him back up! With Chisenhall and Brantley on the DL, a veteran OF familiar with the team would be a smart addition.
lmmthomas
The White Sox sure could use the left handed bat
mwk89
they must be confident in castillo/young. would have been nice depth to have in case
mookiessnarl
Young maybe, but Shaw and Holt are probably on the depth chart before Castillo at this point. Both are left handed as well. No room for Murphy really.
ASapsFables
Another potential veteran platoon option for the White Sox to replace Adam LaRoche’s left-handed bat as a DH. He can also play a corner OF position but would not be the preferred backup option at 1B.
TheAdrianBeltre
Best of luck Murph.
stymeedone
It says ” the Orioles and other teams have been interested in him.” What other teams? He signed pretty late with the Red Sox. I would have thought if another team had shown interest, he would have signed there, as there was a pretty full OF in Boston before he arrived. I’m thinking it’s only Baltimore showing interest.
bruinsfan94 2
Comment section has become a joke.