Fansided

Which AL contender needs Daniel Murphy the most?

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 15: Daniel Murphy #20 of the Washington Nationals looks on after hitting a two run single against the New York Mets in the seventh inning during their game at Citi Field on July 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 15: Daniel Murphy #20 of the Washington Nationals looks on after hitting a two run single against the New York Mets in the seventh inning during their game at Citi Field on July 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 25: Daniel Murphy #20 of the Washington Nationals anticipates a pitch during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 25, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 25: Daniel Murphy #20 of the Washington Nationals anticipates a pitch during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 25, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

4. Oakland Athletics

By no means do the Athletics need a second baseman/first baseman/designated hitter to keep their playoff hopes alive. Oakland has been a massive boulder rolling downhill since the middle of June. They have one of the best offenses, a solid rotation and a dominant bullpen that has quietly been added to repeatedly at the trade deadline and in August. The A’s are for real, and now it’s just a question of whether or not they will win the division or Wild Card.

The A’s are run by one of the smartest front offices in the league, and they are willing to add to a strength even if the need is not pressing. Hence, their moves to add Shawn Kelley and Fernando Rodney to an already dominant bullpen this month. Would it be completely out of the question for Billy Beane and Co. to pick up the best bat available simply because they can?

Finding a spot for Murphy in Oakland’s lineup is difficult, but this Island of Misfit Toys always seems to find a way to make it work. If Murphy is brought aboard, the most likely outcome would be slugger Khris Davis picking up a glove and playing some left field while Murphy takes over at DH.

Putting Davis in the outfield ostensibly makes the A’s a much worse defensive team, but Murphy’s offensive value more than makes up for it. From there, Oakland does have enough depth on their bench to work around the defensive issues that come with playing Davis in the field. It’s unlikely that Murphy ends up in Oakland, but his presence could be enough to push the A’s to the division title.

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