Why is David Murphy gone?

David Murphy has signed a 2 year deal with the Cleveland Indians worth a total of $12 million after incentives.   Also, There’s also an option for a third year. (from Jon Heyman).  By the way, Murphy made $5.775 million last year.  Maybe David Murphy will play well in Cleveland, over his 21 games playing at Progressive field, he batted .365/.407/.568/.975.  I know the sample size is small, but for what ever the reason, Murphy batted better than than almost any other ballpark.  He batted lower at Rangers ballpark over his career with .284/.342/.472/.813.

Jul 24, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder David Murphy (7) hits a home run during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Murphy did handle left field decently during his time with the Texas Rangers.  The negative for Murphy was his early offensive struggles.  He has historically started off the first half of the season weak, and especially did this season.    This season for the first half of the season he batted only .219, and it didn’t barely rose to .220/.282/.374/.656 to finish the season.

"“I feel like I’ve seen more fastballs inside, but when I’m myself, that’s not an issue,” Murphy said. “I take the ones that are off the plate and I drive the ones that are strikes. Right now, even the ones that are strikes, I’m just not getting there. I’m not myself.” (Evan Grant – Dallas News)"

That’s far less than the .302 he batted in 2012.  Also, Murphy batted horribly in game situations this year such as 2 outs w/runners in scoring position.  It’s tough to be struggling in a contract year, but at least he did pick it up a little bit near the end of the season.

David Murphy commented on it season back in September:

"“I feel like I’ve been in a five month slump basically,” said Murphy prior to the Pittsburgh series. “I might have had a five or six-game streak where I’ve hit .300, but I feel like most players have that 10 or 15 game streak a few times during the season where they hit .400 or .450. That just hasn’t happened.” (CBS Dallas)"

At one point this season, Murphy was played less, and managed to find the ball some at the plate.  Overall, it wasn’t enough to keep him Texas.  Murphy finished bottom in batting this year, a place where he was all season.

Maybe Cleveland thinks between the new ballpark and new team, the lefty will be able to bounce back to his 2012 numbers.  I would imagine he will.  Murphy does have the tools and the ability, sometimes a new atmosphere is the solution.  I was surprised to hear he was going to Cleveland, I would have thought the Astros might make a play to pick him up.

Once David Murphy and the Texas Rangers failed to negotiate a contract extension at the end of the 2013 season, it seemed that the two would be parting ways.  He lacked the production the Rangers needed and there are several outfielders that the Rangers are in the market for.  With those things combined, Murphy is now gone.  Who will replace him?  Possibly Shin-Soo Choo or Carlos Beltran, Robinson Cano or even Jacoby Ellsbury.  Jon Daniels could also promote from within with Engel Beltre or even move Craig Gentry to left.  Who ever they go with, they need to have an arm to throw and a bat to help the struggling offense.