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  • Twins Sign Veteran OF David Murphy To Minor League Deal

    Seth Stohs

    By Seth Stohs

    The Minnesota Twins announced that they have signed veteran outfielder David Murphy to a minor league deal. The Red Wings announced he will be there on Friday. It is likely he will not spend much time in Rochester before joining the Twins.

    Image courtesy of Kim Klement, USA Today

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    The 34-year-old Murphy is best known for his years in Texas where he hit .275/.337/.440 (.777) over seven seasons. He spent 2014 and the first half of 2015 with Cleveland before being traded to the Angels in the second half last year. He went to spring training this year with the Red Sox.

    Of course, this starts an interesting debate about a couple of things.

    First, when he is called up to the Twins, whose spot on the 25-man roster will he take?

    • Max Kepler would be a likely candidate as he is already not playing a lot.
    • Byron Buxton could be sent down, allowing Murphy to play in left field with Eddie Rosario moving over to center (or Kepler).
    • Could Murphy be a bench bat and replace Oswaldo Arcia?

    That brings us to the second part of the question. When the Twins call him up, he will have to be added to the 40-man roster? Who would come off of it?

    There are several candidates, of course, but if it is Arcia, that would kill two stones with one bird (as our friend Domingo Ayala might say).

    When I initially heard this news this morning, I thought maybe he would just get some time in the Rochester outfield as Adam Brett Walker has missed several days already with a strained oblique, but Murphy will be brought up quickly.

    What do you think will happen with this over the next few days?

    Seth Stohs has been blogging about the Minnesota Twins since May 2003. A founder and owner of Twins Daily, Seth has been a Twins fan for 40 years and has a passion for covering the minor leagues and prospects.
    Follow Seth Stohs on Twitter: sethtweets

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    Featured Comments

    Mike Sixel

    Mike Sixel 41,021

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

    I don't think I have ever seen more of an overkill judgement and outrage to a minor league contract signing.  

     

    Remember the outrage here over Kubel and Bartlett, especially after St. Peter said the 25th man doesn't matter?

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    Deduno Abides

    Deduno Abides 2,674

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

    I don't think I have ever seen more of an overkill judgement and outrage to a minor league contract signing.

     

    It's like watching the eighth sequel to a movie that never had any good versions. The good news is that the GM was able to tell the last two he couldn't find an MLB spot for them.

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    mattkummer

    mattkummer 45

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

    My guess is that Kepler goes back to AAA when the Twins hit the road Wednesday, and Murphy comes up. I'd rather see someone like Murphy in that limited role than a top prospect who needs ABs.

    I'd put money on moving Perkins to the 60 day DL. He even said he'll be out longer than 15. Right now, the bullpen is better without him-- so take the time and make sure he's healthy.

    It will be interesting to see what happens when Santana comes off the DL. That's when I think Buxton gets sent out if he continues to flail at the plate.

     

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    DJSim22

    DJSim22 317

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

     

    My guess is that Kepler goes back to AAA when the Twins hit the road Wednesday, and Murphy comes up. I'd rather see someone like Murphy in that limited role than a top prospect who needs ABs. I'd put money on moving Perkins to the 60 day DL. He even said he'll be out longer than 15. Right now, the bullpen is better without him-- so take the time and make sure he's healthy. It will be interesting to see what happens when Santana comes off the DL. That's when I think Buxton gets sent out if he continues to flail at the plate.

     

    I'd bet my house this is the case.  Makes the most sense as Kepler is just chewing seeds up here.  A little time up here early to get some BP with the coaches and MLB players is nice, but it's time that he goes down and players regularly again.

     

    I would have rather they brought up Mastro, and did anything this winter, but I see why this may have been done. 

     

    If the Twins continue to flounder in last place, they'll try flipping Murphy for a C level prospect.  Not a big deal.

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    Mike Sixel

    Mike Sixel 41,021

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

     

    I'd heard it yesterday, but couldn't get final verification. Just a bit ago, Mike Berardino tweeted that David Murphy had asked for and was granted his release. He's headed back home. 

     

    So, people can relax now... 

     

    Wow. You think he wasn't confident? This has to be why the last shoe has not fallen. What will they do with the bench now? Mastro?

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    alarp33

    alarp33 2,765

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

     

    I'd heard it yesterday, but couldn't get final verification. Just a bit ago, Mike Berardino tweeted that David Murphy had asked for and was granted his release. He's headed back home. 

     

    So, people can relax now... 

     

    This is shocking (in a good way).  But ummm. How do they get back to a 12 or 13 position player 25 man roster now?  In a way, does this make today's moves even more confusing (even though most of us I'm sure are happy Murphy won't be on the roster)?

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    alarp33

    alarp33 2,765

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted (edited)

     

    Wow. You think he wasn't confident? This has to be why the last shoe has not fallen. What will they do with the bench now? Mastro?

     

    I mean he's at .200/.357/.218 in AAA.  It almost HAS to be an infielder if they are intent on Danny Santana being the regular center fielder, right?  They don't currently have a backup infielder

     

    Or dare I say, Sano goes back to 3rd, Nunez becomes the backup around the IF, and Arcia and Rosario play in the corners?  Then theoretically Mastro would be the 4th OFer

    Edited by alarp33
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