The Texas Rangers have reached an agreement and avoided arbitration with leftfielder David Murphy on a one-year deal worth $5.75 million. The Rangers exchanged arbitration figures with Murphy on Friday and the two sides are about $1.5 million apart. Murphy, who is expected to be Texas’ everyday left fielder, asked for $6.5 million and the Rangers offered $5.05 million.
General manager Jon Daniels had previously expressed confidence that a deal would get done and avoid an arbitration hearing.Murphy, 31, has been with the Rangers since 2007. The Rangers have not had a player reach arbitration since Daniels became GM following the 2005 season. In fact, the last Ranger to reach arbitration was Lee Stevens in 2000. Murphy earned $3.625 million in 2012 when he posted a .304/.380/.479 line with 15 homers.
Rumors continue to persist about free-agent center fielder Michael Bourn and the Rangers. Bourn is believed to be looking for a deal that exceeds the five-year, $75 million contract B.J. Upton got with the Braves earlier in the off-season. according to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune the Rangers are the most likely landing spot for Bourn, although giving up a first round pick to sign Bourn remains a sticking point.
