The Rangers and David Murphy have avoided arbitration with a one-year contract, but talks may not be over.

The two sides could soon discuss a multi-year deal that would keep the outfielder from free agency.

Murphy, who agreed to a $5,775,000 salary for 2013 on Monday, can be a free agent after this season.

"When we went into the offseason, we identified a handful of players that we wanted to pursue multi-year deals with, and [Murphy] was one of them," Thad Levine said.

"We have had conversations with Mike Moye on that. But we agreed with the firm deadline of arbitration, we want to get through this first and then continue that dialogue later."