Daniel Murphy, a three-time all-star and two-time Silver Slugger winner, is close to signing a two-year, free-agent contract with the Rockies to be their new first baseman, a major-league source confirmed Thursday.
The deal, not announced or confirmed by the Rockies, is for $24 million. Murphy, who turns 34 on April 1, hit .299 with 12 home runs and 42 RBIs in 91 games with the Cubs and Nationals last season. He underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee in 2017 and recovery from that procedure wiped out the first two-plus months of his 2018 season.
On the plus side, Murphy rebounded with a productive second half, finishing with an .800 OPS. Over his final 293 plate appearances last season, Murphy heated up, slashing 322/.358/.502.
Over the course of his previous three-year, $37.5 million deal, he put up a line of .326/.375/.542 with 60 homers, 105 doubles and eight triples.
The Rockies entered the offseason searching for a power bat to spark their sluggish offense. General manager Jeff Bridich made that clear during the winter meetings earlier this month.
“Generally, it’s run production — consistent run production,” Bridich said when asked how the offense needs to improve. “And I think as we saw in the latest parts of our season, (we need to have) the ability to score in the toughest of situations and the most challenging situations in this game, in those playoff games that we have designs on participating in for years to come.”
First base was especially unproductive last season, the club finishing 13th in the NL with an OPS of .719. Murphy shined with the Mets in 2015 when they won the National League pennant. He hit seven combined home runs over the NL Division Series against the Dodgers and the NLCS against the Cubs, winning the NLCS MVP.
His best year was in 2016 when he batted .347 for the Nationals, posting an NL-best .985 OPS and slugged 25 homers and 47 doubles.
The plan is for Murphy to provide a short-term offensive boost at first base while Colorado’s young players develop. Murphy has never been known as a stellar second baseman, so it makes sense to move him to first base, where he does have some experience. The move also means an opportunity for young players Ryan McMahon and Garrett Hampson, as well as top prospect Brendan Rodgers, to compete for time at second base.
Also, signing Murphy releases Ian Desmond from first base, enabling him to be an outfielder or utility player. Desmond is entering the third year of a five-year, $70 million contract. All-Star and Gold Glove second baseman DJ LeMahieu is a free agent and not expected to re-sign with Colorado.
Murphy has not played much at first base in recent seasons, though he did play 83 innings at first base in 2018 with the Nationals, and 151 innings at first with them in 2016.
