An unknown team has claimed Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy on revocable trade waivers, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The identity of the claiming team is not known, though Sherman notes that the veteran did not make it to the Yankees on the wire.
Murphy was reportedly placed on waivers on Friday. That means the situation is likely still pending. The unidentified team would have been awarded the claim on Sunday, setting off a period of 48.5 hours during which that club and the Nationals will see if they can work something out.
[RELATED: How August Trades Work]
It seems, then, that we’ll learn by tomorrow whether or not Murphy will be in the move. If so, he could go via trade or simply be allowed to leave for salary relief. After all, he’s owed nearly $4MM through the end of the season, when he’ll reach free agency.
For the Nats, there’s obvious appeal in shaving that much cash. Importantly, Murphy will not be eligible for a qualifying offer since he has received one previously. While the Nationals could still pull him back from waivers, that’d mean passing on a chance to recoup some of the money invested into what has been an immensely disappointing season. With the Braves winning tonight, the Washington franchise sits 7.5 games out of the division lead and one game under .500 with less than six weeks left to play.
Just what the Nationals intend to do isn’t yet clear, but Murphy would figure to be among the most obvious players to leave if the organization decides to pack it in and reload for next year. Star Bryce Harper would surely be an appealing asset to other teams, but there’s less incentive there since he can still be issued a qualifying offer at season’s end and the organization may yet have designs on re-signing him.
As for Murphy, the fact that a team put in a claim with that hefty remaining obligation suggests that organizations believe he’s back to being a high-quality hitter. He missed a long stretch of the season after microfracture surgery on his knee and struggled upon returning to action. But Murphy raked throughout the month of July and has been hitting at a solid clip since the calendar flipped to August.
Defensive and baserunning metrics, unsurprisingly, take a dim view of the 33-year-old’s present skill level. That clearly limits his utility, even in a late-season rental scenario. Still, Murphy would represent a potentially compelling addition to a postseason lineup with his penchant for grinding out plate appearances and career 1.020 OPS through 24 playoff games.
Those interested in guessing at a claiming team will note that National League clubs have the first crack, in reverse order of the standings. Arguably, though, Murphy makes the most sense on an American League roster at this stage of his career. While he can still line up at second or first base, a DH slot might be the preferred place for his bat to reside.
Cleveland?
Nope brewers
I don’t think Milwaukee needs any more infielders
They didn’t need any infielders a couple infield acquisitions ago. But here we are.
^ Truth
They didn’t when they got Schoop instead of pitching
he would be a solid pickup for them
That’s a lot of cash he’s owed. Can’t see the Tribe doing that.
They wanted Bryce
And so did a lot of other teams…..supposedly. It’s called “kicking the tires.”
Ok fair enough but what makes you think the Indians can’t pay the remaining contract? They have a pretty modest payroll and are heading to the postseason once again. Murphy could certainly help them as he’s a major threat against both left and right handed pitching. Playing in the AL would be good for him as well.
they took on jay bruce’s contract last year, i could see them doing it. people are too quick to write off the indians because they’ve been a small market team, but since ‘16 they’ve done a lot to bolster their payroll in ways they never used to. tribe fans are the worst at complaining about the types of trades they make or how much money they do or do not pay someone.
They’re already in uncharted territory when it comes to their payroll. In other words, they are paying more than they want to. This would be an unnecessary acquisition.
Francona already said he won’t move Kipnis off 2B, they have two 1B, and DH is covered, too. When EE comes back, Yandy Diaz is gonna get sent down most likely….and he’s hitting over .400.
Plus, their FO likes to acquire players with extra years control, if at all possible.
Modest for most teams, for Cleveland, an all time record.
Did it with Bruce last season….
I’d guess Mariners, Cardinals, or DBacks. Maybe San Fran but I do think they shouldn’t be adding
SF is too close to the luxury penalty to take on $4M.
Also, five thirty eight had their playoff odds at 1%. So what is adding Murphy going to do? Quintuple them to 5%?
They might actually take him if their odds went up so much.
Mariners could use reinforcements, but more so in the pitching department. Then again, Cano can’t be in the playoffs and it would be nice to place Dee Gordon back in CF.
No to Gordon back in center and no to the m’s needing/claiming Murphy unless we send Healy to Washington.. it’s a scenario with too many holes in it really.
Does Dee Gordon play better in CF compared to 2B???
No he’s a better infielder. Potential is there in center with his speed, but it’s not like he has a plus arm.
I’m thinking Indians
I agree
Indians, Cardinals, Dbacks I’ll bet money on all 3
“… but there’s less incentive there since he can still be issued a qualifying offer at season’s end and the organization may yet have designs on re-signing him.”
Trading Harper wouldn’t bar the Nats from re-signing him. The only reason to not let him go is the QO, which is what I ultimately see the Nats doing. The very first NL team that thinks they have a chance this year will claim him.
The QO is likely nothing for Harper. In all probability, they would have gotten more in a trade than they would from QO compensation.
At the trade deadline, yes he would have. But I honestly see the Giants claiming him and then just offering nothing. They can’t add Harper without going over the luxury tax threshold but they would want to block rival contenders from trading for Bryce and they know the Nats aren’t just going to let him go for nothing so there’s no risk of having his contract dumped on them.
Giants wouldn’t take that risk. Not at all. It’d be a multi-million dollar mistake should I go rye.
Yes they would! There is no risk! Everyone knows the Nats aren’t going to just let Bryce go for nothing.
You don’t roll the dice when the stakes are so high and the return given the Giants’ playoff chances with or without Harper is so limited.
Sure you do. The Giants have a lot to gain by blocking rival contenders from trading for Harper and we know with 100% certainty that the Nats won’t let him go for nothing. The Giants claim Harper, offer nothing and the Nats will simply pull him back and voila! They don’t have to face him in the playoffs.
Yeah people thinking he would be let go for nothing are out of it.
Brewers could use another infielder 😉
Come on you beat Ray to his only joke…not cool!
He’ll be claimed by the Rays and turned into an “opener”/2B…..
Cubbies. Makes the most sense…
they’re still chasing
Chasing what?
Chasing from the front? Puzzling
Phil Rogers suggested it is the Cubs because of Kris Bryant’s shoulder issues. I’m not sayin’, just sayin’.
To the cub fans I just have to say the Cubs do not have a safe lead, and do not sleep on the Cardinals or Brewers. Just a reminder do it doesn’t shock you when one of them passes the Cubs or beats the Cubs in the Postseason
Weak. You wouldn’t have said that a week ago and lumping two teams together is a pretty soft comment.
Still my comment still stands
Make sure you go to the club house and tell the real players that. Because your wasting your time on a board that fans have no control over their teams. So really that was a waste of time and space. But I get it. Really I agree
Phils? Dodgers? Astros?
You must not know who Dozier, Altuve, or Cabrera are
You must not know Altuve is injured, and won’t fully be healed even when he comes back off the DL. He’s going to be playing in pain. And so what if they have Altuve in full strength? Having a guy like Murphy is so valuable even if he’s simply coming off the bench as a pinch hitter. C’mon now.
Why would use him as a pinch hitter?
(In response to kyletaylor) Simply because hitting is what he does very well. At this point of the season a starter quality player doesn’t always start with a new team that acquires them. They are frequently used primarily as a bench player because they improve the over all team. You have to remember that in almost all cases it isn’t the acquiring team’s best player who gets replaced, but usually their worst one off the bench.
Murphy isn’t known for his stellar defense, but he is known for his bat. He would almost certainly get a few starts, but would probably not replace a contending teams everyday starter at this point.
That is why I think it is very likely the Braves could be one of the teams who claimed him (they may not be the only one though). The team made sure it had extra roster spot even AFTER they called up Bryse Wilson.
I definitely don’t think that Murphy could make it through waivers to an American League team (although I’ve been wrong before).
The Cardinals have been looking for a LH bat with pop from the off the bench for some time now. They would have been ahead of the Braves in the waiver order. He would easily replace Greg Garcia who is a much better defender, but very light hitter.
Are the Braves willing to take this much of a chance on a bench bat?
What? He’s going to cash in this off-season. should have won the MVP in ‘16 and the drop off has only been seen in his defense. Huge threat with the bay in his hands.
Murphy isn’t a bench bat. I believe the original post meant should the Braves add Murphy he’d be a bench bat with the current makeup of that team. He’s not uprooting Albies. The Braves have sought to upgrade their defense throughout the year which Murphy doesn’t help. A good player but not a good fit with the Braves.
Also, Murphy isn’t going to “cash in” this offseason. Last offseason proved teams don’t pay for past services like they used to. He’ll secure his multi millions, but it’ll be similar or less than what he originally signed with the Nationals for.
Maybe he won’t get many years but he is a starter and will be paid accordingly. 2/25-30 with some options sounds about right to me
I’d hardly call 2-30 cashing in in mlb. maybe in 1995
Albies can’t hit righties, and he looks lost at the plate right now. Murphy would be a platoon guy with him
It makes absolutely no difference if Murphy should be a starter on most teams, but with Atlanta he’d come off the bench most games. Flaherty was just released to make a spot for Wilson, who will probably go back down temporarily, so they need a lefty bench bat.
He would certainly start over Albies based on the last 4 months but put that aside, no team is going to claim a star to come off of the bench.
I wonder if the Braves are the team that claimed him, as they have DFA’d an IF in Ryan Flaherty today, and have an open 40 man roster spot. It would make sense given the Braves need for bench help particularly a LH hitting bench guy.
Smoak,Duda,Flores,Cron has also cleared Waivers and Indians could use Duda in OF.
None of those hit as well as Murphy. The Braves had played Flaherty EXTREMELY sparingly in the field the last couple of months. They don’t need an extra guy on the dirt because of the positional flexibility of Camargo and Culberson. What Atlanta needs is a good source of power from the leftside of the pine. Even though Murphy is more than that in most instances, he could fill that role on this team.
That was to make a spot for highly regarded pitching prospect Bryse Wilson to make a start against the pirates for ATL tonight
And if you have been paying attention to how the Braves have proceeded all year they bring them up, let them pitch, then send them back down.
You should make a poll for which team claimed the player before its announces.
+1
+1
F
for respects.
F
This is definitely the Brewers. Mark it.
Please not the Brewers, there is not a bigger Cub killer out there than Murphy and Cervelli
Honestly not focused on the cubbies, but the Brewers need a real 2nd baseman. I still want deGrom, but we need a real 2-bagger.
ill laugh a lot if the brewers trade for another starting infielder. would be a terrible idea
Matt Carpenter kills the Cubs
Braves play Murphy at 2B, move Albies to SS and Swanson to utility/bench role…?
Dodgers they need another infielder
No they dont and they wont claim his money
Dodgers, mariners, red Sox in that order
He didnt make it to the Yankees so Red Sox are out. Yankees would have had a chance first with there record.
Red Sox have Ian Kinsler already.
If Oakland picked him up for salary relief, I’d simply be amazed!
My first thought was, ‘Oakland’. I’d like to see that happening.
Where would Oakland play him? Lowrie is at 2B already unless he slides to short…which he has played sparsely in the last two years (none at all this year).
I could see them picking up any talent w/o prospect cost and figuring out how to use him later.
The Indians make a ton of sense but I doubt he would have made it through all of the National League
Mets…Cespedes needs a caddy
ces needs released
I do believe it’s a national league club but it makes no sense for the brewers to claim him. I would think Atlanta or Philadelphia would make more sense.
There is no way he passed all the NL teams through waivers
All you guys are guessing teams that have a second baseman already. And the Brewers? Come on. They have like 4 of each infield position
Sept call-ups coming very soon. Shaw is a 3-bagger. Schoop SS, Murphy a true 2-bagger. Moose is a bench bat, along with Braun. Even though Braun has a lot of value left in him. Arica defensive SS for late innings. I know they need pitchers, but that train has left the station this year. Get it done.
Arica ^^^
Damn spell check, u know what I mean…
Moose is not a bench bat
murph should go to an american league team so he could dh some….but im sure it was a national league team that claimed him so indians never had a chance…..even to just block him from another team..that being said…probably… Cards he will make there defense even worse then it is.. but his bat is hot now…arizona would be interesting also….
cardinals
The Brewers need a catcher, so this makes sense.
I could be wrong but I do think that it was the Braves who claimed Daniel Murphy. Even if you don’t start him everyday you still have a good bat coming off the bench plus his salary is very manageable considering that he will become a free agent at the end of the season.
I think it’s so funny how right away they mention it’s not the Yankees. Why was that just randomly pointed out?
“An unknown team has claimed Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy on revocable trade waivers, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.”
Note the author and newspaper and it should make sense.
He’s a prefect fit for the Cardinals. The ultimate villain to take down the Cubs.
Brewers trade Schoop for Murphy
Maybe the cubs claimed him so nobody else will
All the teams in the NL would had to have passed on him to make it to the Cubs. There is no way all of these contending teams are just sitting on their hands saying…..well it`s ok….we will just let him roll to the Cubs so they can put a claim on him….
Your not very smart are you. Lol
If you actually knew wtf your we’re talking about maybe people would take you seriously
Like I mentioned from the jump— it’s the cubbies.
In response to previous commentary— not a cubbies fan, just a student of the game.
I doubt whether he made it all the way to them
it would be shocking if the entire NL passed on Murphy to allow the Cubs to get a shot. Don`t see it happening at all.
It was the Cubs!
Don’t play the lottery
Pretty shocking hu. But you guys are the experts. Lol
A lot of people don’t understand how this works
So explain it to us smarty pants
look how easy this was” mlb.com/news/guide-to-baseballs-waiver-trade-syste…
I would have to imagine that it was an NL team considering they were first in the waiver wire order. However, given that he’s owed a hearty amount of $ I could see the Nats just letting Murphy go for a PTBNL.
Yankees?
He didn`t make it to the Yankees. Read the article.
Colorado or Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh still thinks they have a chance. Colorado can put him at first base
Pittsburg is already out of the race, I can see Colorado though.
Red Sox need a 2nd basemen…. unsure they would take on 4 million more at this point. Would rather they spent the money on a bullpen arm
I thought I read an article in trade rumors that both Murphy and Harper were put up. Was Harper not put up???
I don’t see the Cards making this move not with the wasted money they already have on their books, but hell with Mo the last two years Who Really Knows!
I could see the Red Birds here. The fit isn’t ideal, but they desperately need a lefty run producer in the middle of the line-up. He could get starts at first, and slide Carp to third until late innings, much like they do with Martinez.
The Cardinals would use him off the bench and in spot starts at 3rd vs RHers. Carpenter is not moving from the lead-off spot. A LH bat that is a tough out with pop is exactly what they have had on their radar.
I could realistically see the Indians or Astros picking him up. Murphy would make a ton of sense in Cleveland. With Kipnis struggling to bat over .220.
Can somebody explain to me why Harper is considered more valuable than JD Martinez, Jose Ramirez or Jesus Aguilar? There’s so much talk of a contract in the 300 million or more size that just doesn’t make any sense to me.
Cubs
When you’re right, you’re right. I’d like to thank my doubters on this thread haha ✌️