Free Agents Murphy, Miller, Sanchez & Soria Sign With New Clubs

There are four more notable free agents who have signed contracts with new clubs.


Daniel Murphy has agreed to a 2-year, $24 million contract with the Colorado Rockies. Injuries limited Murphy to 91 games in 2018 with the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs hitting .299 with 12 HR and 42 RBI. The Rockies are hoping that Murphy will return to his 2016 and 2017 form with the Nats which were the most productive of his career following seven seasons with the New York Mets. Murphy, 33, has played the majority of his career at second base but is expected to move to first base with DJ LeMahieu ensconced at second.


Andrew Miller has reportedly signed a multi-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals (UPDATE: It's worth $25 million over 2 years). Like Murphy, Miller struggled with injuries in 2018 and was ineffective out of the bullpen as demonstrated by his 4.24 ERA which was nearly three runs higher than in 2017. But the Cardinals seem confident that the 33-year old southpaw can regain his form of 2016 and 2017 with the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians.


Anibal Sanchez will join the Washington Nationals' starting rotation for $19 million over the next two seasons. After several mediocre seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Sanchez was a pleasant surprise with the NL East champion Atlanta Braves going 7-6 with a 2.83 ERA in 24 starts. It was the 34-year old Sanchez's first sub 3.00 ERA since he won the AL ERA title in 2013 while still in the Motor City. The Venezuelan born hurler will most likely be the club's number four or five starter behind Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and newly signed Patrick Corbin.


Joakim Soria will join the Oakland A's bullpen having agreed to a 2-year deal worth $15 million. Soria began 2018 as the closer for the Chicago White Sox saving 16 games in 29 appearances before being dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers where he worked in middle relief for their pennant run in the NL Central going 3-1 with a 4.09 ERA in 26 appearances. With Blake Treinen entrenched in the closer's spot, the 34-year native of Mexico will likely play a similar role with Oakland although he could step into the closer's role should Treinen falter or get injured.


With four days left until Christmas the big item gifts of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain in the store but their price tag rises by the hour.