Cubs Acquire Daniel Murphy from Nationals to Help Jump Start Offense

The Chicago Cubs set a Major League record by scoring one run via a solo home run in five consecutive games between August 16th and 21st, and were able to win two of them because of their own fine pitching performances. One run per game won’t get you very far, and the club decided to take some action to address the surprisingly ineffective offense, picking up infielder Daniel Murphy from the Washington Nationals.

The Nationals are enduring a disappointing season and are beginning to retool for next year. Murphy was placed on waivers, the Cubs claimed him, and a trade for a minor league prospect and a player to be named later was worked out. Murphy opened the season on the disabled list and didn’t return to action until June. In 56 games with Washington, Murphy hit .300 with six homers and 29 RBIs. Last season, he hit .322 with 23 homers, 93 RBIs, and a league leading 43 doubles. He had his best season in 2016, when he hit .347 with 25 homers, 104 RBIs, 47 doubles, an OPS of .985, and a slugging percentage of .595, all of which were career highs; the latter three stats led the league. In 24 postseason games with the Mets and Nationals, he has a .323 batting average with eight homers and 19 RBIs. So yeah, he can hit. He’s also had a lot of success at Wrigley Field:

Murphy is primarily a second baseman, and the Cubs have Javier Baez playing there most of the time, with Ben Zobrist also seeing some playing time there. Baez, who is having a great year (.290, 25 homers, 89 RBIs, also plays a lot of shortstop, and will probably be playing more of it in place of the slumping Addison Russell. Murphy also plays first, third and the outfield, while Zobrist, hitting .306, could see more time in the outfield. The bottom line is that the Cubs have some depth with several players able to play multiple positions.

Despite the lack of offense, the Cubs entered play on August 22nd with a National League best record of 71-53, and a 2 1/2 game lead over St. Louis and three game lead over Milwaukee.