Sean Murphy is a valuable commodity for the Oakland A’s.
Think about it – he is a Gold Glove caliber catcher with power and the ability to be a productive bat in the lineup. He has three years of team control left and will be extremely affordable in his first trek through arbitration. It is not a surprise that at least a dozen teams have inquired about Murphy this offseason.
Oakland A’s not going to give Sean Murphy away
It is also not a surprise that the A’s are asking for a king’s ransom for Murphy. According to Derrick Goold from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the A’s wanted outfielder Lars Nootbaar, utility man Brandon Donovan, and a young power arm, such as Gordon Graceffo, in exchange for their Gold Glove backstop.
That request was far more than the Cardinals were comfortable parting with. Instead, they pivoted to free agency, signing Willson Contreras to a five year deal worth $87.5 million, the largest contract handed to a free agent in team history.
With that move, the Cardinals made the A’s position stronger. The top free agent option is off the board, leaving Cristian Vazquez as the best catcher on the market. The Blue Jays may be looking to deal one of their catchers as well, but that dozen or so teams are still looking for catchers. Murphy is at the top of the class.
And his cost may have gone up. The A’s have a valuable commodity and can hold teams over a barrel, especially since they do not have to trade him just yet. They can continue to ask for the moon in any discussions for his services. The A’s may even get it.
The Oakland A’s are asking for a king’s ransom for Sean Murphy. As options come off the board, that price tag may go even higher.