David Murphy Drawing Interest

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe had an interesting tidbit at the bottom of his column today. He says the Red Sox and Marlins haven't discussed center fielder David Murphy in a while, but Murphy is drawing interest from various clubs and talks could be renewed with Florida.  Cafardo notes that the Fish might part with lower-ceiling guys like Ricky Nolasco or Yusmeiro Petit but want to keep Taylor Tankersley.

The Red Sox passed on Conor Jackson to take Murphy in the 2003 draft.  Baseball America doesn't place him among Boston's top ten prospects, but considers his center field defense respectable.  Murphy improved his production upon a promotion to Triple A in 2006.  Translating his work at Pawtucket to a Major League Equivalent nets a .238/.311/.376 result.  PECOTA sees something similar for '07.  Remarkably, that'd be an improvement upon Marlins center fielders last season.  By '08 Murphy could develop a little more power and become a solid regular.

Comments

[levelboss]

what's with the Red Sox FO this year? they're like those floor guys in the stock market, "250! 250! Buy!"

[quintjs]

Crisp, Manny, Drew, Willy Mo Pena, Eric Hinske, Jacob Ellsbury

Not exactly sure you could say David Murphy has much of a future in Boston, for the good of the team, and for Murphy it may not be a bad thing he gets traded.

This does not even factor in a FA signing in a year or two, like, i don't know A. Jones if he becomes a free agent.

A young bullpen arm is not exactly a bad thing for Boston. Problem being of course, the Marlins have a bullpen of about equal quality to the Sox, and that is not a good thing.

[greenbaydude1232]

I'm not sure what the Red Sox are waiting on if Nolasco or Petit was offered straight up for Murphy, but it is unclear exactly what is meant by the phrase that mentions those two names. I think the Marlins would be crazy to give up either of those guys for Murphy but they do need a CF pretty desperately.

[DoctorCurveBall]

David Murphy is a decent prospect, but given Boston's current outfield situation, he doesn't seem to have a place. He's 26 years old and has barely cracked the Major Leagues.

If the Red Sox can get a good young arm out of it, whether or not they have a very high ceiling, they should pull the trigger.

[JakeOD21]

I can't see Murphy still being on the Red Sox this time next year. Just really unlikely given all the guys ahead of him. If Wily Mo Pena can barely crack the Sox starting lineup, what chance does David Murphy have?

I'd say the Sox should get whatever they can for him. I'd take a half-decent pitching prospect for him.

[Baseballfan79]

If murphy was cheap enough sure, I like the fact he put on 15 lbs of pure muscle over the offseason which could improve his gap power. His glove is solid, but really I dont see much of anything there for him as a special player. He is really just a 4th OF in the future. So really depends on the cost. No way I would give up Nolasco or Tankersly for him. But something like a Van Hurk (could be a very good reliever in mlb soon) would be fitting for him. He wont crack the sox OF anytime soon most likely.

Definitely an interesting situation and one worth watching the two FO's do seem to work good together and trade often together.