As the Hot Stove gets underway for this MLB offseason, the White Sox have made it known that the trade route is likely to be the most beneficial for them. One area they could be looking to upgrade is their catching department.
According to a report from 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine, the White Sox have inquired about Sean Murphy in an attempt to improve this offseason. A half-dozen other teams have apparently already inquired about trading for Murphy at the GM Meetings, says Levine.
Levine has this to say about Murphy in his article:
“On several occasions, general manager Rick Hahn has noted that the trade market could be the key avenue for the White Sox to improve this offseason. A player they have their eye on is Athletics catcher Sean Murphy, who will almost certainly be traded this offseason, sources said.“
Murphy would obviously be a long-term solution at the position for the White Sox, who don’t really have a plan behind Yasmani Grandal. Murphy, 28, has three seasons left of control on his rookie contract. A consistent Gold Glove finalist behind the plate, Murphy hit .250/.332/.426 this season, good for a 122 wRC+ and an outstanding 5.1 fWAR. He is a great defender on a team that really has no use for him, as the Athletics are currently in the middle of their own rebuild, and Murphy is the last big piece they will need to trade.
In Levine’s article, he also mentions free agent Michael Brantley as a player who has “long been” on the White Sox’s radar, while making a passing mention of Brandon Nimmo as well:
“The White Sox could also look to free agency as well. Outfielder Michael Brantley has long been on the White Sox front office’s radar and is a free agent. Due to a torn labrum, he missed the second half of the season and the playoffs as his Astros won the World Series. Brantley, 35, hit .288 with a .785 OPS in 64 games in 2022, and if he’s deemed healthy, he has the solid bat and leadership that could help the White Sox.”
“Also available in free agency is 29-year-old outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who hit .274 with 16 homers, 64 RBIs and an .800 OPS in 151 games for the Mets this past season. He played center field for the Mets but would fit at a corner outfield spot with the White Sox, who have Luis Robert in center field.”
Should the White Sox be looking to upgrade at catcher by trading for Murphy, they will likely need to start the deal with MLB’s No. 35 prospect Colson Montgomery, who had a breakout season in his first full year with the White Sox. The left-handed shortstop reached Double-A Birmingham and is primed to continue to grow.
However, with a thin farm system, the White Sox will likely need to include Montgomery and more if they are going to compete for Murphy’s services with other teams in need of a catcher. It’s a weak position around the league, which drives up the price of great options like Murphy.
As more information becomes available, we will continue to provide updates.
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Sox couldn’t make a deal with Oakland last season because they did not have the trade pieces, Sox virtually have the same putrid farm system. This is just another fantasy, where Sox can claim they “had a seat at the table”. But they just leave off the part, the seat they had was a baby’s highchair.