Mets fans, especially those on Twitter, have a fascination with Daniel Murphy. The #ImWith28 movement seems to grow with each and every game, as Murphy is proving to be one of the Mets better hitters. After last night’s game, Murphy is tied with Paul Goldschimidt of Arizona for the National League lead in hits with 80. Murphy is also hitting .305 with a .361 on base percentage through 62 games.
Murphy is entering his last year of arbitration eligibility, with 2016 being his free agent year. Questions have surrounded around how much longer Murphy will be a Met, as he may be pricing himself out of the Sandy Alderson budget.
But his value to the Mets is much more than his value to other teams and an extension could very well be in the works. Murphy has improved vastly on his game from last year. His approach has changed and Murphy has stopped chasing as many bad pitches as he had in the past and is beginning to draw more walks, which speaks to his on-base percentage this season. This approach has also allowed Murphy to make more solid contact which has led to some more power. So far this season, Murphy has five home runs. His career high in a season is 13, which was last year and in the two years prior he only had 12 combined home runs. With Murphy showing a bit more power, he has become a well-rounded player.
The only real facet of the game that Murphy could show some improvement is his defense. Murphy was never known for his defense and it wasn’t expected of him to be a gold-glover at second base. But if Murphy could tighten up some of his fundies (turning double plays is the big one), his game would take another giant step.
If Murphy continues to play at this pace (which is totally within reach), he could find himself playing for another team this summer. The second base market seems to be the market that everyone is looking at with Phillies 2B Chase Utley being the prized commodity. If teams aren’t able to acquire Utley, they may turn to the Mets and Daniel Murphy as a plan B. If that is the case, the Mets should be able to move Murphy, get a good return on him and finally be able to get Wilmer Flores regular playing time.
It’s a tough decision for the front office to make. Reports have shown that in the past the Mets have asked a high price for Daniel Murphy and there’s no reason for that to change. If the Mets can get a good return for Murphy they will pull the trigger. If that return doesn’t materialize, the Mets have no problem keeping Murphy, extending him and building around him and David Wright as the top hitters in the Mets lineup.
Daniel Murphy has had an interesting year. From being called out for missing opening day to speaking at the White House this past week, Murphy’s off the field drama hasn’t affected his play on the field. That on the field play is about to led to Murphy getting a raise or finding himself on a contender making an October push. Both of those options seem to be good for both the Mets and Murphy, but it’s a decision that can re-shape the path that the Mets have put themselves on. And with what has happened over the past couple of weeks, each decision needs to work out in the end or more and more of the fan base will be alienated and move on from the Mets. This summer continues to be a turning point for the Mets, one can that shape the future forever.
Extend Murphy with what money? 60 million for 4 years? Never happen. The FO will simply slide Flores to second base and carry on with their frugal ways.
Like you said, if the Mets can get a good return for Murphy, something like a good SS prospect or OF position players, they should do it.
Flores has more power upside and can potentially make us forget about Murphy assuming the Imbecile in the dugout plays him and not Erik Young Jr. at 2B.
Murphy will be a free agent in 2016 so he should have his most trade value between now and spring of 2015. If Murphy gets traded before the July trade deadline the Mets could get a few high prospects in return. I don’t think that is the route I would take though because you can’t be rebuilding forever. If Murphy is traded this winter he can return major league talent to improve at a weaker position. When looking at the Met minor league system, five of the ten best batting averages belong to players that can play second base. Flores is already on the ML roster. I like Dan Murphy a lot but he is playing a position that the Mets have depth in and he is a valuable trade chip. The dollar savings at his position could be applied to another position.
Put murphey at 3rd trade wright for shortstop 2nd baseman and outfielder.
Right now, my choice is to just keep him to the end of arbitration, see if he will sign something like 3/30, and if not, just offer him the qualifying offer and take the draft pick if he declines.