Tom Murphy Becomes Free Agent as Giants Decline $4M Option After Injury-Riddled Tenure

Catcher Tom Murphy is officially a free agent after the San Francisco Giants declined his $4 million club option for the 2026 MLB season, opting instead for a $250,000 buyout. Murphy, 34, signed a two-year, $8.25 million contract with the Giants in December 2023 but played only 13 games over two seasons. In 2024, he slashed .118/.211/.235 with one home run before a left knee sprain ended his season in May. He then missed the entire 2025 season due to a mid-back disk herniation. Murphy's MLB career began in 2015 with the Colorado Rockies, followed by a stint with the Seattle Mariners before his 2024 return to San Francisco. The Giants now move forward with catchers Andrew Knizner, Jesus Rodriguez, and Patrick Bailey.