Daniel Murphy - Thoughts?

[Joe Rigatoni]

I'm sure his injury had nothing to do with the fact that he was playing only his second game at second base. After all, he's played third base and you have to turn a lot of DPs there ... oh wait, you don't.

I agree with you that his injury had nothing to do with the fact that he was playing only his second game at second base.
Because on this particular play it would have been difficult even for a veteran second baseman to avoid the runner's(Leonard Davis)"dirty" slide.

[PVNICK]

I'm sure his injury had nothing to do with the fact that he was playing only his second game at second base. After all, he's played third base and you have to turn a lot of DPs there ... oh wait, you don't.

"After making the throw to first base,
Murphy was standing behind the bag and to the shortstop side when Davis slid,popped up and rolled into him" per Joe's post so while I know it's good for a cheap laugh to ridicule Murphy's defense that doesn't make it so.

[Paulypal]

I'm sure his injury had nothing to do with the fact that he was playing only his second game at second base. After all, he's played third base and you have to turn a lot of DPs there ... oh wait, you don't.

Couple of things...do you think he was told that morning that he was playing second base and they put him in a game to do it? I am pretty sure he took about a couple of thousand groundballs and a couple of thousand throws turning dp's. If the slide was as dirty as reported then Roberto Alomar could get taken out like that too. Sometimes things just happen.

[howiek]

I think the Mets will trade Murphy in the off season. There is just no room for him on the Mets. They tried him in Left, that didn't work. He's not a 2nd baseman and he won't be playing 1st. with Ike around.
They will trade him for a reliever or package him in a bigger deal.

[EasilyFound]

Uh ... sometimes you have to know enough to protect yourself from a dirty play.

I rest my case:

The post-midnight word from Bisons manager Ken Oberkfell is this: ... "I don't think it's real good," Oberkfell said. "I haven't heard anything from back there [the training room] yet but he was pretty banged up on the play. The way he turned the double play was nice. He made the right pivot. It just looked like the guy got there late and when Murph came down he never got out of the way once he planted his foot.

"It was a roll slide but it was one of those things where he kind of watched the throw rather than getting out of the way. It sucks. It's tough but it's part of the game. He was pretty sore and he was mad too, mad at himself for anything for not getting out of the way. It's tough to lose him and lose his bat out of the lineup."

[Mongoose]

This has been a brutal off-season for the Mets. Paradoxically, though, if they don’t start dumping salaries at the trading deadline, the line-up this season might be better than last if everyone is healthy. A big part of that might be plugging Murphy’s bat into the second base position. I always felt Castillo got a bit of a raw deal from the fans here. When healthy he did what he was supposed to - it’s just that he hasn’t been healthy often.

Still, I think Murphy could put up 20 home runs, maybe 80 R.B.I.s hitting 6th or so; basically a .290/.350/.450 line from second base with adequate defense - he’s a natural infielder and his fielding has been making progress according to the last reports from winter ball.

Either way, I think his contribution will exceed anything we’ve seen at the position in a while if he’s healthy and gets the job. Of course, I’m assuming he gets the job. With the Mets, anything can happen - expect the unexpected. I think he has the inside track on the rule V acquisition and whether Castillo is healthy and in shape remains to be seen.

Except for potentially Thole getting a whole year and continuing his decent hitting, this is perhaps the only real roster upgrade we might see next season. I think it might be a bright spot. Maybe the bright spot.

Anyone agree?

[Paulypal]

This has been a brutal off-season for the Mets. Paradoxically, though, if they don’t start dumping salaries at the trading deadline, the line-up this season might be better than last if everyone is healthy. A big part of that might be plugging Murphy’s bat into the second base position. I always felt Castillo got a bit of a raw deal from the fans here. When healthy he did what he was supposed to - it’s just that he hasn’t been healthy often.

Still, I think Murphy could put up 20 home runs, maybe 80 R.B.I.s hitting 6th or so; basically a .290/.350/.450 line from second base with adequate defense - he’s a natural infielder and his fielding has been making progress according to the last reports from winter ball.

Either way, I think his contribution will exceed anything we’ve seen at the position in a while if he’s healthy and gets the job. Of course, I’m assuming he gets the job. With the Mets, anything can happen - expect the unexpected. I think he has the inside track on the rule V acquisition and whether Castillo is healthy and in shape remains to be seen.

Except for potentially Thole getting a whole year and continuing his decent hitting, this is perhaps the only real roster upgrade we might see next season. I think it might be a bright spot. Maybe the bright spot.

Anyone agree?

I has been a bad off season indeed, but it is what I expected.

As far as Murphy goes...this is the season to put him at second base. They are going to go no where and it would be a perfect time to get him time at second. If it dont work..not great loss as its not going to cost them a division or a WC spot. If it works than its gravy for 2012.

Anything other than watching Castillo limp around for another season.

[PVNICK]

It definitely is the perfect season to "experiment" with Murphy at 2B. If that position is manned by Castillo or some other veteran it is a waste since the club in a transition season and that is what such seasons are for.

[Strawman]

This has been a brutal off-season for the Mets. Paradoxically, though, if they don’t start dumping salaries at the trading deadline, the line-up this season might be better than last if everyone is healthy. A big part of that might be plugging Murphy’s bat into the second base position. I always felt Castillo got a bit of a raw deal from the fans here. When healthy he did what he was supposed to - it’s just that he hasn’t been healthy often.

Still, I think Murphy could put up 20 home runs, maybe 80 R.B.I.s hitting 6th or so; basically a .290/.350/.450 line from second base with adequate defense - he’s a natural infielder and his fielding has been making progress according to the last reports from winter ball.

Either way, I think his contribution will exceed anything we’ve seen at the position in a while if he’s healthy and gets the job. Of course, I’m assuming he gets the job. With the Mets, anything can happen - expect the unexpected. I think he has the inside track on the rule V acquisition and whether Castillo is healthy and in shape remains to be seen.

Except for potentially Thole getting a whole year and continuing his decent hitting, this is perhaps the only real roster upgrade we might see next season. I think it might be a bright spot. Maybe the bright spot.

Anyone agree?

Yes - I agree.

It's been a horrendous, dispiriting off-season that has knocked the new management off its media-designated pedestal - these guys are like Lincoln's generals the first three years of the civil war.

Nonetheless, Murphy might be a bright spot and should be given he opp to start at 2B. The most compelling stat for young Mr. Murphy for me has always been his 38 doubles (54 extra basehits) in 508 AB back in '09 as essentially a rookie. That's impressive and if healthy, love to see him thrive. If Mr. Middle Market Alderson sees his way clear to extending Reyes, we'd have a young, productive infield to build success around.

[CokeMachineGlow]

Lets not turn this into an Alderson bashing thread, Strawman.

Anyways, I'm interested in seeing how Murphy will do. He walks at an average rate, but he makes up for that by lowering his K's. He hits for modest power and his defense shows signs of average at second.

[pstein]

I would use Murphy as the second baseman. He reminds me of a Mark Grace type in that he can contact the ball better than a lot of people. Even when he hit .266 he only struck out 69 times. If he develops some power, I'd rather have him at first than Ike Davis. Sure, Ike is a better defender but he really has trouble hitting when he gets that huge hitch going.

[robardin]

This has been a brutal off-season for the Mets. Paradoxically, though, if they don’t start dumping salaries at the trading deadline, the line-up this season might be better than last if everyone is healthy. A big part of that might be plugging Murphy’s bat into the second base position. I always felt Castillo got a bit of a raw deal from the fans here. When healthy he did what he was supposed to - it’s just that he hasn’t been healthy often.

Still, I think Murphy could put up 20 home runs, maybe 80 R.B.I.s hitting 6th or so; basically a .290/.350/.450 line from second base with adequate defense - he’s a natural infielder and his fielding has been making progress according to the last reports from winter ball.

Either way, I think his contribution will exceed anything we’ve seen at the position in a while if he’s healthy and gets the job. Of course, I’m assuming he gets the job. With the Mets, anything can happen - expect the unexpected. I think he has the inside track on the rule V acquisition and whether Castillo is healthy and in shape remains to be seen.

Except for potentially Thole getting a whole year and continuing his decent hitting, this is perhaps the only real roster upgrade we might see next season. I think it might be a bright spot. Maybe the bright spot.

Anyone agree?

While I hated seeing Castillo out there on the field (and I feel very confident about using the past tense), I will concede that he got a bit of a raw deal. He is only guilty of not being more than he ever was even as a younger player, and losing mobility and speed after turning 30 years old, which all humans do without, er, chemical assistance. He even displayed what I felt was commendable accountability in the wake of his infamous dropped pop-up at New Yankee Stadium in 2010. But, he's become the poster child for a series of overcommitments to (obviously) underproductive players by Minaya (not counting the UN-expected underproduction from 2009-2010 Beltran, Wright and Reyes, or even Jason Bay).

As I analyzed in detail in a post to another thread on BBF, I think the Mets have made a huge step forward in the offensive potential for 2011 with relatively little money spent (in addition to eating Castillo's contract, that is, which was already spent anyway). Nearly a full 33% of non-pitcher plate appearances last year went to players who were bench quality at best - in many cases, fringe bench quality at best - and out-and-out bad at worst (Alex Cora).

At 2B and backup SS in particular, we're going to see Dan Murphy, Brad Emaus and Chi-Lung Hu (and hopefully a lot more of a healthy Reyes) instead of Castillo, Cora and Ruben Tejada.

In the WORST case they will produce only as well as those three did in 2010. On the other hand, while a best case scenario is too much to expect (Emaus being another Uggla type of Rule V pickup, Murphy looking like he did in 2008 again, etc.,), just them being 26 year old guys with something to prove gives the team a much higher probability of them doing something good than a 34 year old speed player whose speed is gone (Castillo), a career backup player who's ready to become a coach (Cora) and a 21-year-old player in need of more minor league seasoning and time to build up some strength (Tejada).

And from a fan's perspective, a lot more to root for too.

What will really dictate the Mets' success in 2011 - and to a large degree, their success in 2012 and beyond, and even if it's to include them in the team's future at all - is that players like Reyes, Beltran and even Wright have to reverse the sharp declines in productivity they've displayed in 2009 and 2010. And of course that Jason Bay has to at least resemble the player the Mets are paying for. Injuries, moving to Citi Field messing with their head, lack of protection in the lineup, yadda yadda yadda... The Mets can make big improvements at 2B and on the fringes of the bench, but it all starts with the core of the lineup being solid.

[Chuck The Mets Fan!]

I always likened Murphy to Jeff Kent when he was a Met, and a co-worker of mine mentioned that Murphy is similar to Jefferies.
I like Murphy and would like to see him do well, but what truly is his ceiling?

[Bellucciman]

I like Murphy too, he's just had some bad luck. Maybe that will change.

[Mongoose]

Daniel Murphy's not going to be the hero every night. He'll have good games and bad games. Still, I can't understand the Alderson regime's obsession with benching Murphy in favor of guys who aren't as good as him. We all know he can hit. The only way he'll get better with the glove is by playing. It's not as though a title is at stake.

He's already the best option the team has at second. He always has been, and if he continues to field decently and hit like he's capable of, he's a potential All-Star.

Why isn't he starting every day?

[PVNICK]

Pretty good question. His L/R splits are not extreme for his career @ 100 AB v. LHP 500 v. RHP .240/.289/.442 (v. LHP) - .282/.340/.436. Now I grant you we all saw what half a lineup of sub .300 OBP guys looks like last sason (yes I mean you Jeff Francouer) but in theory he should improve that with experience and playing time. Oddly he has 5 HR v. LHP in 104 AB which is 25-30 for a full season if you wish to ignore things like small sample size etc.

Anyhow to get to the point, there is nothing wrong with rotating guys in once a week to keep them fresh or to take advantage of matchups but there is nothing about Murphy or the 2B on the roster that screams out manadatory platoon. Also with more PT he gets the experience so neglecting to cover second base on the ball Bay couldn't hang onto never happens again because it is second nature to cover on such plays.

[metfan13]

I have no problem giving Turner a start against a lefty once a week. I woudn't do a strict platoon. And if Murph doesn't start you can slot him in for the big pinch hit homer!

His D at 2B while not great has not been Murph in LF awful either. It looks like he can easily outhit his defense. And having another guy in the line-up with a good eye doesn't hurt.

[m8644]

Murphy's numbers look alot better at 2nd than 1st, and that's a huge plus. If his D is somewhat passable, then his bat in the lineup makes it a deep one.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with giving a shot to Emaus since he was a rule V pick......he had his shot, it didnt work out, and they replaced him very, very quickly and gave the job to someone who is producing.

[richiek]

Daniel Murphy Says Mets Shooting for 100 Wins

http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/0...er=rss&emc=rss

[PVNICK]

Checking the UZR stats on Fangraphs and Murphy at 2B comes out pretty good, as in above league average.

[EasilyFound]

OK. I'll bite. What are UZR stats? From what I see, my thoughts haven't changed. I guess he works hard --- everyone seems to say that --- but he is a liability in the field and he doesn't hit enough to compensate for that. At his best, he is an AL player. His position is DH.

[Paulypal]

Checking the UZR stats on Fangraphs and Murphy at 2B comes out pretty good, as in above league average.

I think fielding stats are the most unreliable of all the stats. If you watch Murphy play second or basically do anything with a glove he just looks uncomfortable. I do like him and glad he is getting a chance to play, but he isnt going to remind anyone of - fill in your favorite gold glover here-.

[PVNICK]

I think the UZR is just a simple percentage of outs made on balls hit to whatever is considerd a fielders "zone". From thew glance he has very few plays outside that area. I still think that botched fly ball colors everyones impression, sort of how a flip play an dive into the stands and the jump throw still colors people's impression of Jeter. Or maybe there's just a lot worse out there than Murph. lol

[metfan13]

I think Murphy's a competent infielder at 1B and 2B (maybe 3rd too?). He rated higher in these defensive metrics his year at 1B too. The thing with Murphy is that he's awkward looking. He's not a fluid athlete. Kind of stiff. So he looks worse than he is. Now OF was a whole different thing. There he combined awkwardnees with apparent incompetence. And that got real ugly.

[EasilyFound]

LOL. No wonder his ZIP stats are so good. He screws up at first base on the grounder and Reyes gets the error.

Breaking News: Thank goodness for that short porch.