Infielder Daniel Murphy, who had been playing for the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League, has had his contract purchased by the Angels. The news was relayed on Twitter by Michael Pfaff, the president and general manager of the Ducks. Murphy will report to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees in the coming days, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
Murphy, 38, announced his retirement in January of 2021 but recently launched a comeback bid, signing with the Ducks back in March. He has been crushing it in that league so far, hitting .331/.410/.451 through 37 games while splitting his time between first and second base. The Angels are apparently intrigued enough by that performance to bring Murphy back into the affiliated ranks.
The last time Murphy was in the majors, it didn’t go so well. He signed a two-year deal with the Rockies going into 2019 but hit just .279/.328/.452 in the first year for a wRC+ of 88 and then .236/.275/.333 in the shortened 2020 season for a wRC+ of 44. Prior to that, he spent many years as a potent big league bat, mostly with the Mets. From 2011 to 2018, he hit .303/.346/.462 for a wRC+ of 119.
The right side of the Angels’ infield has a few moving parts to it right now with Jared Walsh, Gio Urshela, Brandon Drury and Luis Rengifo all getting some playing time there in recent weeks. The designated hitter slot, meanwhile, is occupied by Shohei Ohtani the vast majority of the time. Rengifo has been struggling a bit this year, hitting just .222/.303/.323 for a wRC+ of 76. Walsh has to get into a groove after spending the early parts of the season on the injured list, slashing just .122/.283/.184 in 20 games since being reinstated.
Murphy will now see if he can transfer his recent hot hitting from the Ducks to the Bees. If he succeeds, he could perhaps force himself into the mix for another shot at the big leagues, especially if those struggles from Rengifo or Walsh continue, or an injury takes someone out of the picture.
Cohn Joppolella
Legend
thebudlightknight
I guess he needed to learn about the birds and the bees…
Captain-Judge99
Yankees sleeping again! One think Mr. Murphy can do is hit. Don’t believe me? Just watch.
ctyank7
And he would have fit another of Ca$hman’s “musts” — a proven pro (meaning past his prime).
RShore05
Agree. And that short porch in LF would have made a nice fit. Could have been this year’s Matt Carpenter for the Yanks. The Yankees NEED to add/find another LH bat to their lineup. Although Rizzo is struggling right now, it’s just a matter of time before he gets back on track. But I’m the opposite with Bauers. I just don’t see him being able to hit the way he has for the rest of the season.
disadvantage
@judge – Remember to save that line for when one of the Upton brothers make a comeback bid.
Captain-Judge99
*thing
TJT88
Agreed. Guy can flat out rake. Especially during the post season. 2015 is all I have to say
phillies012tg
Wtf
phenomenalajs
Incidentally, the LI Ducks just replaced him on their roster with another 2015 Met, Ruben Tejada.
angt222
I enjoy fun facts like this.
HalosHeavenJJ
That’s crazy. Thank you.
DoubleStix
He was born on April 1st. This must be some kind of joke.
showmebb
Bees?
beanball
AAA Angels. Salt Lake Bees
WeggieJackson44
Beads
Angels & NL West
Perhaps Murphy platoons at 1B while Walsh goes on the IL, for a to be determined “strained muscle”, to work on his swing?
dh4all
Walsh needs to be send down so he can play everyday and work on his swing.
prov356
Hmm. We need pitching. We need to replace Rengifo with Fletcher.
Rexhudler86
I’m not sure if rengifo, has any value maybe for a pitching flier. I definitely agree, that fletcher would be better, and Murphy being in triple a waiting on a call up doesn’t hurt.
Rsox
Believe it or not in the not too distant past Rengifo was traded to the Dodgers for Ross Stripling and Joc Pederson but the deal fell through. What could have been…
Rexhudler86
And Taylor ward going to the dodgers
Rsox
Yep, forgot he was also part of the deal
urnuts
Fell through like Artie’s team sell. Once again he made the wrong call .
socalbball
I’ve seen a number of comments that Taylor Ward was going to be the player to be named in that trade, but I’ve never read any report to that effect. Anyone know who actually reported that?
Rexhudler86
He was one of the two minor leaguers with rengifo, not sure if it was the second one Arte shot down, I know something happened in the betts trade, and the dodgers were trying to do a different deal. You can’t find it because it wasn’t official.
Rsox
Kim Klement of USA Today Sports does mention it in an article 3 years ago. Though the article also says “rumored to be”
dh4all
They like that Rengifo is a switch hitter. I do prefer Fletch.
junkmale
You need a lobotomy.
prov356
It looks like you need Jesus.
aragon
jesus was all about inclusion and love. practice what he taught us.
prov356
ahh aragon. yes he was, but he rebuked sin all throughout the Gospel. His common command: “Go and sin no more.”. He hung with sinners but rebuked their sin and required transformation.
aragon
He who is without sin cast the first stone.
prov356
You’re right aragon…John 8:7, but i don’t think i cast any stone. i suggested that someone who honors satan in his screen name needs Jesus. Sounds like you’re a man of faith too since you’re quoting the bible. What do you think?
Yankee Clipper
That’s a misquoting of Jesus’ words, actually. He was *not* inclusive. He permitted anyone who would abide by the Lord’s commands only. So, as far as sin goes, he was exclusive. Not casting the first stone was referring to their legalistic hypocrisy and man-made religious standards, not the righteousness of the law itself.
As far as your response to Prov 356, you’re misstating the concept of “judge not lest ye be judged.” That’s referring to what you’re doing, in judging by man’s flawed standards. When one repeats biblical tenets he is not judging, only stating what the Lord has already judged. Therefore, it is education.
For a more simple example, if you tell someone the law of the state is that one may not text and drive, that is not judging someone, but rather, informing them of what has already been adjudged.
The Natural
He also said that He came to fulfill the law, every jot and tittle. The law in question here is unmistakably presented in the OT and repeated in Romans. And Daniel Murphy is a terrific human being.
phenomenalajs
I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
prov356
A rare Doctor Demento song quote…nice.
Robrock30
Bravo great move! Surprised the Mets missed here.
Hemlock
He isn’t 40 yet. They only sign 40 year olds.
Oh, but wait…
“ The best indicator of future performance is how they performed in the past.”
Former NLCS MVP = FUTURE NLCS MVP
Right Stevie Cohen?
brooklyn62
You’re killin’ me,bro! That’s funny crap!
mlb fan
Based on the Cohen “analysis”, the Angels should sign ME. I was a very good player in my T-ball days.
Hemlock
Hmm.. This is about Mets and you put Angels. What did I miss or are they just your favorite team?
Interesting fact: all of the Mets’ players are considered “Little Angels” by their mothers.
mlb fan
It’s an article about the Angel’s signing Daniel Murphy, last time I looked.
Hemlock
That’s what I forgot to do—read the article! Thanks.
BuyBuyMets
Not true.
You bailed out on tbe curve.
bilko20
What was your 60 time ??
Robrock30
Now grab Wally Backman who manages the Ducks to be a coach.
Reynaldo
Getting the band back together with Rendon and Kurt Suzuki for Trump’s 2024 run..
aquinothegoat44
Suzuki retired at the end of the 22 season.
Hemlock
> Born: October 4, 1983
> (Age: 39-251d) in Wailuku, HI us
He’s almost 40.
“Kurt, Steve Cohen on line 2.”
“No thanks, take a message!”
Reynaldo
He’s still in CA because he’s been excommunicated from HI.
prov356
We already have a Daniel Murphy. He goes by the name David Fletcher.
GoogleMe
I could see a minor trade happening in the near future.
prov356
Hopefully it involves Rengifo and Loup.
warnbeeb
When he showed up with the Mets he said, “I’m Daniel Murphy. I bat 3rd.”
findingnimmo
Just watched him play for the ducks on Friday. Still has his classic Murphy approach. Didn’t get a hit that day but stayed late to sign things for my nephews and a bunch of other kids. Good luck to murph!
377194
I sat behind the Ducks dugout and spoke to him. Great guy. I wish him well.
bkbk
Did Stefanic sleep with Arte’s girl? This team is bending over backwards not to give this dude looks.
pohle
he struggled big as a major leaguer, isnt special defensively even as a guy who isnt far up the positional ladder. he should get a shot eventually, but there are reasons he is competing with guys like lamb and fletcher, and the angels are bringing in more guys like murphy
M.C.Homer
I feel they are doing the same to Fletch
carllafong
Where would you play Stefanic? Drury has the second best numbers at second in the league behind Semien. They also have Regnifo who has much more power. Steffanic is not even an average defender and he does not hit with power. There is no room at the inn for him.
leftykoufax
He could DH, I would not put him in to play D.
Rexhudler86
He most likely would be a pinch hitter, wouldn’t be against it since he was known for being clutch. Definitely he’s a backup plan.
Kershaw's Lesser Known Right Arm
I always love how on the MLB website they market it as “Angels adding 3-time All-Star”
dclivejazz
Two of Murphy’s best years were two out of the three he was with the Nats. One of Rizzo’s greatest FA signings after the Mets had let him go despite his postseason heroics during their 2015 postseason run. Al thought Rizzo kind of backed into it after his first choice at second didn’t pan out.
Glad he was doing well with the Ducks and hope he can earn a call up to the Angels.
Baseball Babe
Yes! He was a joy to watch. So animated and such a great hitter. I was hoping the Nats wouid bring him back.
phenomenalajs
I wouldn’t say “let him go.” They gave him a QO (approx. $18M) which was a lot higher in AAV than what he took from the Nats (3/$37.5M). The player the Mets got out of that was a touted prospect – Anthony Kay – who hasn’t panned out but netted the Mets two years of Marcus “Braun” Stroman.
drasco036
How crazy were the 2019 stats across the league when Murphy’s triple slash line only equated to a wRC+ of 88? Seriously, a .780 OPS with 35 doubles, a triple and 13 home runs was 12 points BELOW league average.
LostRealist
I was JUST about to post about this! That’s a really solid slash line. Wild!
AHH-Rox
Part of the reason is that wRC+ is park-adjusted. A .780 OPS at Coors Field is only so-so, even in years when the ball isn’t juiced.
drasco036
Ahh of course, there is always someone who still thinks balls just magically fly out of Coors Field like they did in the 90s, long before the humidor and expanded dimensions.
Why is it the Rockies do not lead the league in runs every year if it’s such a hitter paradise?
mlb1225
Humidor or not, Coors is still statistically and scientifically the most hitter friendly venue in baseball. The baseball flies further in thinner air and pitches move less because of the air density. That year, the league average OPS was around .750, so .780 really isn’t massively above average. Now considering that Murphy had a near 100 point drop off between his home and away OPS, while batting over .300 in Coors and below .240 at home and there’s a reason why his ops+ was only 89.
AHH-Rox
Coors Field is much less of an outlier than it was pre-humidor, but still a significant boost for offense.
Rockies don’t lead the league in runs because they don’t have great talent and because they can’t hit when they leave Coors. And because a lot of their road games are in pitchers parks, SD and SF and LAD.
bravesfan
Dude use to be a hitting machine, but I don’t see this comeback bid working out.
LFGMets (Metsin7)
Don’t see why the Mets couldn’t sign him. They have virtually gotten zero production from their dh spot, especially from the left side. While I am happy with their Luke Voit signing, I don’t see why the Mets couldn’t give him another chance. This is only speculation but I think the reason why Murph wasn’t sign by the Mets is because its “pride” month and Murphy has made some comments in the past about how he feels about same sex marriage. If that really was the reason why the Mets didn’t sign him then this organization is a bigger joke then I once believed
DakotaJoe
sorry but those number in an independent league are not “crushing it.” a .451 slugging stat is probably nowhere near the top of the league.
LFGMets (Metsin7)
@DakotaJoe Murphy is not a power hitter. Luis Arraez is slugging .476, meanwhile is batting average is .391. I’d say thats crushing it. Murphy is a singles/doubles hitter. I’ll take Murphy hitting say .280 with a .310 OBP and 3hrs over Daniel Vogelbach and his .200 batting average
carllafong
Regnifo isn’t struggling– Walsh is and he needs to be replaced. He had exactly one good season and has done nothing since– the reasons are not material at this point. We need production from first base and we aren’t getting it. A platoon of Murphy and Urshela could work as a stop gap solution– if Murphy can hit? Walsh will be sent down soon. Maybe they shoudl recall Trey Cabbage or Jake Lamb? They can’t do any worse.
Plugnplay
For sure Carl, Regnifo is fine as a utility I.F.. But our lame duck manager keeps playing him in rotation as much as all the other infielders. Another not good by Nevin. Well, he’s doing better with the BP recently at least.
As far as Walsh, unfortunately I to think it’s time for a change. Good dude, but this is NOT the season where they can afford an extended leash.
kellin
Well, Rengifo is hitting better than Walsh this month. Agree, the experiment with Walsh needs to end. If Lamb maintains the hitting that he was doing before he was sent back down, he’s still than what Walsh is doing.
snowyphile1
Bad move.
prov356
How? He’s going to AAA.
Rishi
Can we just take a second to admire how two light hitting utility type guys from the Mets ended up being two of the better hitters of the last decade? And of course Murphs last contract didn’t work out…Colorado signed it.Pretty neat to be in Indy ball one day and the next potentially in a penate race on a team with probably the two best players of our generation.
sfes
Always a legend. His NLDS/CS performance in 2015 was insane.
Curveball1984
It still stupifies me why Joe Maddon refused to just walk him everytime he was up. Murphy single-handedly hit the Mets to a Pennant.
Curveball1984
Murphy was strictly a DH even by his Cubs days. Even if he makes it, no way the Angels put him in the field.
Phree4u
Cubs played him at second, considering the universal dh didn’t exist when he was a Cub.
beyou02215
When is it going to be Trey Cabbage time?
LordD99
Angels preparing for an opening at DH soon?
TomL
Gotta love these For the Love of the Game legends. Get him, Big Sexy, Julio Franco, Carlos Zambrano, etc start a new team!
srdiaz1972
He is 38 and was hitting .331 in Indy ball, that doesn’t translate to success in the Majors. Yes he is a a great player. WAS!
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
You never know burt, he could go out there and give you an 110 ops+. Not likely, but I’m letting my nostalgia do the thinking haha.
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
Holy crap I thought he was retired, I thought he got cheated out of MVP in 2016!
Bill M
He was retired
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
For some reason I thought he retired a second time, I don’t know who I could be thinking of or if my memory is just messing with me and nobody did.
the old ranger
With Urshela DTD Wright is protection for the next time that Rendon decides to take time off. Fletch comes back only if he discovers his former scatter hit form. Hip surgery subtly more changes more things than one might think. Rengifo has to have negatives of Arte for him to still be on this team.