Anthony McCarron interviewed Daniel Murphy, who gave updates on his knee injury, Christmas plans and hopes for the 2012 Mets.
“I feel great,” Murphy says. “I kind of polished off my rehab about a month ago, moved into more of a strengthening phase. I’ve had a real good offseason and I feel really good. I’ll be full-bore in spring training.”
“It always takes people aback when I tell them that I’ve never had surgery,” Murphy says. “But I feel like I’ve had my share of knee injuries. I’m good with that, you know?
“I’m a believer that everything happens for a reason and it’s led me to this peace,” Murphy adds. “I didn’t have that before. I’m excited and ready to go to work.”
Source: New York Daily News
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Hi Brian:
Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Just finished reading a peace in the NY Times about the Wilpon’s financial woes, which affects my perspective on how to utilize Daniel Murphy.
If it’s my team, I’m putting Daniel Murphy, an outstanding hitter, at 3rd base – his most natural position. He is least likely to be injured at 3rd base. I’m moving David Wright to left field and platooning Justin Turner and Reese Havens at 2nd base. Ruben Tejada must play SS to anchor the infield defense – it’s a necessity. Ike Davis, of course, will be the other infield defensive anchor at 1st base.
Wright’s a quick study and a better pure athlete than Murphy, which is why I think he can handle the outfield much better. DW is very adept at pop-ups launched into the short outfield and into foul territory.
The rest of the outfield is comprised of Torres, Bay, Niewenhuis & Duda. Niewenhuis & Torres can patrol CF and Bay & Duda rf on a platoon basis. I would work Bay out in CF as he can handle the gaps, but I’d like to see him go back on rockets hit to deep center.
Somehow, some way, I’d pry Colorado’s catching prospect Wilin Rosario – even if it cost Familia, Mejia & Valdespin. I’m not trading Niese, Harvey or Wheeler. I’d also keep a very close eye on Juan Lagares to see whether he’s ready to jump into an outfield slot.
Line-up: Torres, Murphy, Wright, Davis, Bay/Duda, Havens/Turner, Tejada, Thole/Rosario, Pitcher.
Money-wise – as soon as Johan Santana shows that he is healthy, he’s traded to a willing partner in the American League in a pure salary dump. Same goes for a productive and healthy Jason Bay, if he ever re-emerges. David Wright remains a Met for life, if he so desires.
That’s if it’s my team.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas to you too Tommy!
Wright’s defense at 3B is an issue and I think the club has to at least think about moving him to the OF. Of course, I don’t expect that will happen.
I’d be surprised in Nieuwenhuis opened the season in the majors. I like him a lot but I’m guessing the club will want him to get ABs in Triple-A to start the year.
I’d like to have Roasrio but I wouldn’t be willing to give up as much as you.
It will be interesting to see if Alderson pulls the trigger on a deal or if this is what we take going into Spring Training. I’m ready for pitchers and catchers to report!
Does Reese Havens have any pronounced platoon split? If he is healthy, he should be getting the starting job. Same with Duda, hopefully Bay does what Jeromy Burnitz does: goes on a torrid streak long enough for us to dump him on some offensively starved team, where he can go back to being his mediocre self.