The Diamondbacks are the latest team linked to A’s catcher Sean Murphy, as Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that the D’Backs and Athletics have had some talks about Murphy’s availability.
Back in October, Arizona general manager Mike Hazen suggested that catcher might be a target area for the D’Backs this winter, as part of the team’s broader plans to improve its offense. Free agent Christian Vazquez is another backstop who has reportedly drawn from interest from the desert, while the D’Backs also made a lower-level depth move in claiming Ali Sanchez off waivers.
As Piecoro notes, the Diamondbacks have a starting catcher already in place in Carson Kelly. However, Kelly has hit a modest .231/.318/.405 over his 1207 plate appearances and four seasons in Arizona, with a lot of that offense coming back in 2019. Most recently, Kelly hasn’t really been able to get on track at the plate since suffering a wrist fracture in June 2021.
With Daulton Varsho moving from “catcher of the future” to outfielder of the Diamondbacks’ present, the catching depth is suddenly a little thin in Arizona, and acquiring Murphy would soundly resolve that issue. The former All-Star is a solid offensive and defensive performer, and is under team control through the 2025 season. Since the Athletics are firmly in rebuild mode, Murphy has been one of the top trade targets in all of baseball, with essentially every catching-needy team (i.e. the Cardinals, Cubs, White Sox, Guardians, Twins, Rays, Red Sox) all linked to his market. Even the Braves had some interest despite their own catching depth, but they no longer appear to be pursuing Murphy’s services.
This widespread interest has given the A’s plenty of leverage in talks. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports that Oakland is looking to add Major League players rather than prospects in exchange for Murphy, with these big league-ready players presumably being younger and cost-controlled rather than established veterans.
With this asking price in mind, the Diamondbacks could be a particularly good fit for a Murphy trade. There has been plenty of speculation that the D’Backs might trade from their surplus of young outfielders, and while top prospect Corbin Carroll seems untouchable, any of Varsho, Alek Thomas, or Jake McCarthy could potentially be shopped to Oakland as part of a trade package.
If the D’Backs did land Murphy, they could themselves enter the catching market by shopping Kelly. Teams who miss out on Murphy could still see Kelly as a possible upgrade, and naturally his trade cost would be far less than the Athletics’ asking price for Murphy. Kelly is arbitration-controlled through the 2024 season, and is projected to earn $4.1MM via the arb process in 2023.
Varsho is better than Carroll. In fact, if I’m giving up one, it’s Carroll.
that’s so wrong. Carrol is untouchable. Hea our best prospect. Maybe Thomas goes or Mccarthy. I want Mccarthy so I hope it’s thomas.
Carroll is not getting moved. However, I think Arizona could try a package headlined by Alek Thomas (6 years of control left) plus one of Slade Cecconi/Ryne Nelson, plus a couple lower level guys.
Why would the DBacks deal two MLB players in Nelson and Thomas PLUS prospects for Murphy?
when you woke up, were your pants wet?
Time for your meds.
At this point I feel like every team is interested in Murph.
Except the A’s, apparently.
If it helps, my grandmother is interested in Murphy
You really left yourself open on that one.
“Oakland is looking to add Major League players rather than prospects in exchange for Murphy, with these big league-ready players presumably being younger and cost-controlled rather than established veterans”
Gorman and Liberatore to Oakland. Get it done.
Owen Miller
James Karinchak
Zach Plesac
For
Sean Murphy
Throw in Josh Naylor
If they do, Karinchak comes out
Naylor is already arbitration eligible. They don’t want that. Him and Murph both become FA in 2026.
When you guys draw up these biased proposals, might be best to consider it from the other teams perspective. Just an idea.
Owen Miller? Lol
That trade proposal is terrible for Oakland.
I could see that.
Really hoping this trade gets done with the cards.
Don’t think cardinals include any immediate pitching but could see Gorman + others going.
I hope John Fisher doesn’t breathe tomorrow
Yikes
Which team will be listed tomorrow as interested in Murphy? Are there any teams that have not been mentioned?
Sideline Redwine;
Yes.
The Chunichi Dragons, Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, KIA Tigers, and Saraperos de Saltillo.
The Utica Unicorns, Lake County Dockhounds, Gastonia Honey Hunters, Savigny Lions, Alpine Cowboys, Curaçao Neptunas, Munich-Haar Disciples, and Auckland Tuatara are also in the hunt I’ve heard.
Is Varsho at C really that much an issue?
This site is available on the Internet.
Everything’s a big issue.
Varsho’s days as a catcher are mostly over at this point.
I think it’s more that he’s too valuable in RF to justify putting him behind the plate. Not to mention his bat/speed are positive attributes that they don’t want to effect by him squatting day in and day out. He caught for a short stretch early last season due to injuries. He was on fire at the plate when he started catching and quickly cooled off. He didn’t really get back to his early season form at the plate but sporadically after that.
I don’t think I would include any of those 4 in a deal for Murphy. I don’t think there will be any problem finding playing time for these 4 guys in an outfield rotation + DH. That outfield defense is going to be unbelievable. Surplus is depth, if you want to compete for the Division and Titles the Snakes need depth. Pavin Smith, Perdomo, Beer expendable. Eventually Kendrick will have to spend real money in FA to fill some holes.
He didn’t suggest that those guys would be a deal worthy of acquiring Murphy, just stated that Smith/Perdomo/Beer are expendable (I agree for the most part).
Thomas was a GG finalist in CF at 22 years old with 5 years of team control, any deal “featuring” him would have him as the main piece.
Murphy to Dbacks straight up for CF Dominic Fletcher
Why not send #18 back to the A’s in a package for Murphy if we’re just gonna trade him if we get the guy?
You’re trade proposal makes perfect sense, though.
Funny joke, but definitely not happening.
I’m interested in Charlotte McKinney.
But…I need a better job….
Hire the Superfife!
Carson Kelly. Hmm. Starter days over? More of a back up now? If so, $4 mil plus seems pretty steep in that role. May be hard to move.
DBacks are not in a three year contention window. Seems extremely overly optimistic to think during Murphy’s 3 years he would elevate them into contention for the playoffs, especially considering the division they’re in. They should definitely be looking at a more long term play. As a Jays fan I’m all for figuring out a Moreno deal that works for both sides and then you have an elite potential starting catcher for the next 6 years. Way more likely to be in line with the progression of your contention window. Let’s make a deal!
While I do like Moreno as a target (pending the package), it’s patently untrue that the DBacks don’t have a 3 year window.
Every player on the 40 man is under team control for all 3 of those years except: Ahmed, Melancon, Castro, Bumgarner, Walker, and C. Kelly; most of which are weak points on the roster anyways, and there is another wave of high quality prospects set to come up within that time frame.
You’re really drinking the Arizona cool-aid if you think the DBacks are going to compete in the next couple of years. A very successful year, yet still unlikely, would be a .500 finish and hope towards the future. Sorry but trading valuable prospects for Murphy makes zero sense for a team who’s not ready to compete for the playoffs in the next 2-3 years.
I know they don’t show you a lot of West Coast news being in the same division as NYY/BOS, but you haven’t been paying attention if that’s what you believe; they’re projected for an 83-84 win median outcome by every currently released projection for ’23, with the clearest areas for improvement being the bullpen and the C position (with SS/3B being the next priority).
Gallen just had a top 5 CY finish, Kelly had a sub-3.50 ERA, and Jameson/Nelson both debuted with plus stuff and surprisingly good command. Bumgarner sucks, but Pfaadt will take that spot at some point (who has also shown plus stuff and good command in his MiLB career thus far). It’s a high variance group, but the 50th percentile SP outcome for each of Jameson/Nelson/Pfaadt is at least a #3, provided that they throw enough strikes (and they have so far).
Walker just won a GG (by an astounding margin) and Thomas/Varsho were both finalists (Corbin was phenomenal by all defensive metrics as well). Ahmed is unlikely to be prime “Slick Nick”, but a healthy Ahmed is still a great defender. The other positions are merely solid for the most part, but it’s bound to be a phenomenal defense (before even considering any further moves).
The bullpen could definitely use further additions, but Castro/Ginkel/Mantiply/Nelson isn’t a bad base from which to start (I’d be surprised if Melancon even finishes the season with the team).
With how bad Carson Kelly has been recently and the depth behind him as well, acquiring Murphy/Moreno would likely be a 2-3 win improvement before the cost is considered. That would be right on the periphery of the Wild Card race. I’d like to see a couple more relievers acquired (one FA and one in a trade) and do anything about the C position. There’s no need to pursue a SS upgrade outside of the Big 3 remaining.
The DBacks aren’t favorites by any stretch of the imagination, but they do have a shot at the Postseason as early as this season.