Chicago White Sox reportedly jump into Sean Murphy chase

Another day, another entrant into the Sean Murphy Sweepstakes.

The Chicago White Sox can now be added to the list of potential landing spots for the Oakland A’s catcher. According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, the White Sox have reached out regarding what it would take to bring Murphy to the South Side.

Chicago White Sox eyeing Sean Murphy as an upgrade behind the plate

The White Sox would appear to be set behind the plate. Yasmani Grandal has one more year left on his contract and will earn $18.25 million in 2023. He has typically been an on-base machine with solid pop, having hit over 20 homers five times in his career.

However, his production cratered in 2022. Grandal posted a career worst .202/.301/.269 batting line in his 376 plate appearances, hitting just five homers and seven doubles. He did battle knee, back, and hamstring issues that led to his appearing in just 99 games, making it possible that he could bounce back with better health next year.

But the White Sox also need to find a long term answer at the position. Only two of their top 30 prospects, according to MLB.com, are catchers. Those two catchers – Carlos Perez and Andy Hackenberg – are likely to be backups at best at the major league level. Unless they are going to open the vault at the position during the 2023-24 offseason, they will need to find an answer now.

Murphy could be that solution. He posted an excellent .250/.332/.426 batting line with 18 homers and 37 doubles over his 612 plate appearances, improving his plate discipline and contact rates. Add in his Gold Glove caliber defense, and he could be exactly what the White Sox need behind the plate.

The Chicago White Sox have reportedly inquired about Sean Murphy. He could be the long term answer behind the plate that they need.