Daniel MurphyIt seems that with all the talks about trades and re-tooling for 2014, Daniel Murphy is viewed as the low man on the totem pole. Every winter, Murphy’s name seems to be thrown around in every trade rumor the Mets are involved in. And this year is no different.

With the call-up of Wilmer Flores, it was clear that a problem was about to arise. Who would be the future at second, Flores or Murph? The organization has shown no attentions of moving either one of them to first. They also haven’t showed a willingness to trade Flores. This leaves Murph, once again, as a man without a home on the baseball diamond.

Daniel Murphy has been tossed aside a number of times by some in the Mets fan-base, as they don’t view him as a vital part of the future. Murphy’s numbers would tend to disagree with that assessment of his role.  A career .289/.332/.422 line from a guy only in his 4th full season, at his 3rd different position shows a guy who can contribute on a daily basis for a contending club.

This current campaign for Murph has seen him put up 171 hits, which ranks 5th in the National. For some perspective, that ranks higher than Joey Votto, Paul Goldschimdt, Freddie Freeman and Allen Craig just to name a few. That type of production would be welcomed on most ball clubs.

It seems as though the fans are so quick to get Murphy out of town because he isn’t a flashy player. He isn’t going to belt 20-30 homeruns, he isn’t going to drive in a 120 RBIs and he isn’t going to win multiple Gold Gloves. But what he does bring to the table is a knack for hitting the baseball, and on a Mets team that has lacked those kinds of players, he is one of the exceptions.

Players like Murphy don’t grow on trees. Those are the players that Sandy Alderson wants in his lineup and Murph should be a part of the future of this team. Murph has the ability to play multiple positions and the Mets need to find an everyday home for him. It was thought that second was that place, now Wilmer Flores complicates things.

It’s been said once and will be said again and again, this off-season is the most important in years. Alderson will have some big decisions to make, but one of them shouldn’t be about Murphy. He should be back on the team. He is a huge part of this team. His bat, his defense (which is better than everyone thought it would be), his leadership and his energy are things that this team desperately need.

There should be debate about Murphy, he belongs on this team. He has been a key part of the offense (or at least what the Mets call “offense”). Building around him, Wright, d’Arnuad, Lagares and Flores is what is best for the Mets. All that matters is #ImWith28.

13 comments on “Daniel Murphy and his future in Flushing

  • blastingzone

    I think the only way to work this out is to move Murphy to first base and Flores plays second
    and both of them full time no platoons(did you hear that Terry?)Davis has not shown that he should be the first baseman next year and Duda even though he’s hitting he has not played enough this year to warrant the mets to just hand him first base next year? I don’t want to waste the first half of next year to find out if Davis or Duda is the answer when we know that
    Murphy will give you 10-15 hrs and 70-80 rbis! He’s knocked in more runs this year than both of them combined and considering Sandy said that first base will be in house and he’s going to add corner outfielders and a short stop as well as a starting pitcher Murphy is the way to go! If Flores doesn’t pan out and I think he will Young or Satin could always play 2nd if need be!

    • Old Ball Player

      Mets have a long history of letting outstanding players move on. It’s exactly why the long term future of the Mets will be fielding less than .500 teams. It’s not so much top management, it is New York arrogance that spells LOSER. For Murph to get the respect he has earned and deserves he needs to go to any other team in the National League. I now believe NY fans would sell their own Mother down the road just so they can complain and remain negative. Murph has too much class not to flip the bird when departing, but if anybody has earned it – New York has. Thank you Daniel Murphy and you will land on a team that will applaud your assets on the field.

    • MikeB

      Agreed. Move him to 1st. He was second in the league in hits with 190. It’s absurd they want to move him. Move Ike and Duda.

  • Dre

    Murphy is a great player, they should keep him.
    I only miss that great mustache of him…

  • DaMetsman in Washington State

    In a perfect world, Daniel Murphy will be with the Mets for a good long time. But if you’re the GM of another franchise and contemplating a deal with the Mets, there is only Daniel Murphy (who you can plug in at 2B, 3B or 1B) and a host of high-quality (but unproven) pitching and catching prospects you can receive in return for sluggers like Carlos Gonzales or Troy Tulowitzki (or both). Murphy is probably playing his worst position with the Mets, as he would be better suited to either corner, especially 3B with his quality arm and soft hands. But like Flores, Lutz, Satin and Eric Campbell (all of whom can play 3B), the great David Wright is blocking the way. Therefore, wanting Murph to stay a Met would likely negate just about any trade that could be consummated. Can you think of one team that would not want Daniel Murphy to plug one of those holes (or DH)? On the other hand, the Mets are very deep in 2B options (Young, Flores, a platoon of Tejada & Quintanilla, Turner, and some very fine prospects in Sandoval, Muno, Hererra, Rivera and Mazilli). The only thing that will keep Murphy a Met is a significant foray into the free agent market by Alderson & Company with virtually no trades. If you want Gonzales and/or Tulowitzki, or like talent (and there is not that much around), it will take Daniel Murphy and a host of prospects (starting with Montero or Syndergaard) to get them.

    • TexasGusCC

      It’s time they kept their best options and streamline their 40 man roster with their best options. Time to get rid of the AAAA players on the team, like Baxter, Quitanilla, and Campbell.

    • Metsense

      DaMetsman has summed up the situation perfectly. Signing free agent outfielders is my preference but Murphy may have to be the bait in order to obtain a SS like Owings or for that matter any better than avg SS.

  • peter

    In order to get something you have to give up something. The Mets have only 2 players of trade value. Murphy and before his injury Parnell. So if you want a player like Stanton or Cargo you can’t make a package of all our rejects. Those teams would want a proven quality bat to replace the offense they’re losing.

  • Brian Joura

    I’ve always been a Daniel Murphy fan but Peter is right – he may have to be dealt to bring in a big bat. If that’s what the Mets do, I’m okay with that. I just don’t want to see Murphy given away for nothing to make a spot for Flores, because that would be a mistake.

  • Jerseymet

    Murphy is a proven Major League hitter. He deserves a big contract. The question is…Will the Mets pay Murphy what he is worth; or will the Mets trade Dan off to save money? I look for Sandy to offer Niese type numbers. I hope Murphy stays a Met.

  • Paul J. Bosco

    If Wright and Marlon Bird had been in the lineup for the last seven weeks, Murphy would be on his way to a 100-runs scored season. Also, his Runners-Moved-Up stat is impressive. How many of his singles have sent runners from first to third?

    And this is what he can do in an OFF YEAR.

    I’d keep him. I would have kept Jose Pagan and Endy Chavez. Instead we have Ike & Lucas and the aforementioned host of AAAA players. And 5 straight losing seasons.

  • pablo

    Get rid of him! Why not? We got rid of Beltran, Reyes and Pagan. I think we can win with a team batting average of .188. What do we need hitters for anyway? All they do is score runs. That’s something we certainly don’t need. With excellent pitching, all we need is 90 no hitters per year!

  • pablo

    He hits. Keep him.

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