Former Seattle Mariners Catcher Details Friendship with Former M's OF and Fan Favorite

Earlier this offseason, former Seattle Mariners' catcher Tom Murphy signed a new deal with the San Francisco Giants.

He told the San Francisco Chronicle how his friendship with former M's outfielder Mitch Haniger helped sell him on signing with the National League West team.

“We’re very similar people with how we approach the game,” Murphy said. “He’s really helped me throughout the entire process. He kind of called the shot way back that I was going to be playing with him again, and he’s said so many good things about me to the organization — he had my back throughout that process as well. So I want to go out there and do everything possible to make sure that he wasn’t saying anything that wasn’t out of character for the type of player and person I am.”

Murphy is an eight-year MLB veteran who has played for the Rockies and Mariners. He got to the M's in 2019, playing with Haniger from 2019-2022 before Haniger left after the 2022 season. Murphy has been universally lauded for his ability to handle a pitching staff and his clubhouse leadership. He will serve as the backup to Patrick Bailey in San Francisco.

Haniger was in the Mariners organization from 2017-2022. He was integral as the Mariners went through their rebuild following the 2018 season. He hit a career-high 39 homers in the 2021 season and was named an American League All-Star in 2018.

San Francisco finished fourth in the National League West in 2023. Seattle finished third in the American League West.