MLB free agents 2016: Nationals have growing interest in Daniel Murphy

Brandon Schlager

MLB free agents 2016: Nationals have growing interest in Daniel Murphy image

Throughout the offseason, we'll be taking a look at the top news and rumors from the Hot Stove League.

RUMOR: Mets postseason hero Daniel Murphy is starting to generate interest from the division rival Nationals.

MORE: The 14 best remaining free agents | Orioles reportedly have deal with Korean OF

REPORTED BY: Bill Ladson, MLB.com

THE DETAILS: With the departures of Yunel Escobar (trade) and Ian Desmond (free agent), the Nats seek another bat to join their middle infield rotation. And ever since they struck out on Ben Zobrist, who took less money to sign with the Cubs, they've been connected to a handful of second basemen, including rumored interest in a trade with the Reds for 34-year-old Brandon Phillips.

Murphy, who turns 31 in April, essentially is a watered-down free-agent alternative to Phillips, whose acquisition could cost the Nats a top prospect or two.

LAST SEASON: Murphy made himself a bunch of money during his postseason crusade, during which he set an MLB record with home runs in six consecutive games. He slowed down in the World Series, but finished the playoffs with a cool seven home runs, 11 RBIs and a .328/.391/.724 slash line. His regular-season numbers were slightly less sexy: 14 home runs (a career high), 73 RBIs and a .281/.322/.449 line.

OUR TAKE: Exactly what the market is willing to pay Murphy, of course, remains to be seen. He turned down the Mets' qualifying offer of $15.8 million, so the Nationals likely will need to pay a premium for his services. They did, however, reportedly offer Zobrist $60 million over four years. A similar deal would be a nice coup for Murphy, who's four years younger than Zobrist.

Phillips has put up larger offensive numbers than Murphy over his career, though it's basically been a wash over the past two seasons. Phillips carried a 3.5 WAR in 2015, far exceeding Murphy's 1.4, and is a better defender, but Murphy would offer the Nats a more desirable left-handed bat.

Brandon Schlager

Brandon Schlager Photo

Brandon Schlager is an assistant managing editor at The Sporting News. A proud Buffalo, N.Y. native and graduate of SUNY Buffalo State, he joined SN as an intern in 2014 and now oversees editorial content strategy.