Last month, the Los Angeles Angels signed veteran infielder Daniel Murphy to a Minor League contract and assigned him to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Murphy, a 12-year MLB veteran, previously had announced his retirement prior to the start of the 2021 season. He ended that brief retirement this year by signing with the Long Island Ducks of Atlantic League Professional Baseball (ALPB).
Murphy picked up where he left off by hitting an impressive .331/.410/.451 with two home runs, nine doubles and 19 RBI in 37 games with the Ducks.
The 38-year-old signed with the Angels due to a belief he still has enough in the tank to be a valuable contributor in the big leagues, via Sam Blum of The Athletic:
“I felt like I had a little bit of baseball left,” Murphy told The Athletic. “I don’t know how much. But it was more than zero. And it got to a point where if I didn’t at least try, then it would have been more out of fear than anything else. And I didn’t want that to be the case.”
Angels general manager Perry Minasian believes Murphy deserved another chance, citing his production with the Ducks and his passion for the sport:
“He played well in independent ball,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said. “Somebody that had his career, and still has the passion to play … deserved the opportunity to see what he could do in Triple A.”
Murphy acknowledged he faces long odds of being called up to the Angels but would be honored if the opportunity presents itself:
“If I’m productive here, the big-league club which is in a pennant race and playing great were to think my services would help them,” Murphy said, “that would be awesome.”
Murphy has played 1,452 career games at the Major League level, hitting .296/.341/.455 with a 113 wRC+ and 21.1 WAR. He has hit 138 home runs, driven in 735 and scored 710 runs.
The left-handed hitter has experience playing second base, first base and third base, spending most of his career with the New York Mets.
Murphy is a three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger award winner and was named the 2015 National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player.
Angels’ infield depth
In the wake of losing Gio Urshela for the remainder of the 2023 season, and Zach Neto also on the 10-day injured list, Minasian has prioritized improving the Angels’ infield depth.
In addition to signing Murphy to a Minor League contract, the Angels acquired the likes of Eduardo Escobar and Mike Moustakas for their playoff push.
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