MLB Free Agency: 5 potential landing spots for Daniel Murphy
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels got virtually no production from their second basemen last season. Johnny Giavotella was sub-par defensively and didn’t produce enough at the plate to justify it. With no internal options to replace Giavotella, expect the Angels to be the strongest bidder for the services of Daniel Murphy.
Murphy would give the Angels steady production from second base. He’d also give them a strong left-handed bat, which is something that the Angels lacked all of last season. Daniel Murphy would also be a cost-effective option for the Angels. The Angels have made splashes by signing guys like Albert Pujols and Mike Trout, but they also make a strong effort to stay below the luxury tax threshold (which they are fairly close to).
Murphy could also be an option for them at third base. The Angels have holes in their infield. Daniel Murphy could help the Angels solve at least one of them while providing solid defense. While Murphy would cost the Angels a first round pick, that’s something that the Angels would likely be willing to part with to make their team better for the next three seasons. The Angels will not be offering David Freese a qualifying offer, which means that they likely aren’t going to keep him. They could be clearing a spot for Murphy.
Murphy makes a lot of sense for numerous teams because of his versatility, left-handed bat, and steady production. He unquestionably makes the most sense for the Angels.