7
2009
Murphy, Francesa, and the Future
An article by Jessep
Here is some background about me in regards to Daniel Murphy. I fully admit I am a “mark,” for him. In August of 2008, I went on mets.com and bought a blue Mets t-shirt with Mr. Met on the front and Murphy’s name and number on the back. It’s a pretty awesome shirt to be honest, and the fact I had it before almost anybody else gives me a slight sense of pride when I see how popular he has become.
Also, I’m not an angry Mets fan this year. I look at what the Mets organization did yesterday in hitting the media outlets that their fans pay attention to and I appreciate it. They didn’t have to go on WFAN and sit with Mike Francesa who is known to be one of their biggest critics. They didn’t have to, but they recognized what happened in 2009. The people that are getting so bent out of shape and taking every single word spoken from midnight to midnight yesterday need to get over themselves. It was a bad year, it happens.
I keep reading about how people still think the Wilpon’s are cutting salary, or how the Mets should fire Omar, and all the constant rambling that has been going on since June. Here are a few things we all need to just deal with for now.
#1 Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel are secure in their jobs unless they do something dumb before Spring Training. You know like, take their shirt off, call out reporters, ownership, all of that fun stuff.
#2 You, me, Francesa, Carton, Boomer, Roberts and others can not say what the Mets are GOING to do with their money. We’re making decisions before they even have a chance to spend a dollar. If the Mets sit on their hands this off-season, then you have a legitimate gripe. You can’t get mad at ownership regarding their spending when they spent the 2nd most money on team payroll in 2009. We all harp on the way the Yankees go about their winning. You shouldn’t have to spend $200 million to win a World Series, and I think our past champions have proven that to us time and time again. So get off this “money” kick.
#3 How about we wait until the playoffs end and free agents are declared? The Mets aren’t allowed to talk to players right now, trades are not happening right now either, so why are we acting like they should have signed a new LF, 1B, and starting pitcher yesterday? Haven’t the Mets always been aggressive in the trade and free agent market since Minaya came to town? If you’re being honest, the answer is yes. So they didn’t get Manny Ramirez, let’s throw a pity party. What would that have done? We still would have had 9,000 injuries this year and then on top of it we’d have the biggest steroid scandal of the season in New York, along with a 50 game suspension. Awesome.
Okay, now that I got that off my chest. Let’s get back to Daniel Murphy.
The question continues to get posed by Mike Francesa who if you listen, you know he really doesn’t like Murphy. He continues to wonder why Mets fans cling to Murphy. Here’s why.
He’s our guy. Daniel Murphy was not a highly touted prospect, he wasn’t a Baseball America top prospect, but when he came up with the Mets he showed us that he knew how to play the game. He was a patient hitter. It seemed every at bat in 2008 he worked pitchers hard. He’s a guy that doesn’t have the 5 tools. He’s not fast, and he’s not the best fielder, and his power is so-so at best. He makes good contact, and he WAS a patient hitter. He needs to get back to working pitchers, and fighting for those base hits. That’s why we like him. He’s not a guy we’ve waited on to come up to the big leagues. He’s a guy that showed up in August of 2008 and played very well for a playoff contending team. He’s a guy that one the last day of Shea Stadium was out at home plate collecting dirt, because he recognized the history of that stadium.
With that said, we here in New York are not used to being patient with 24 year old players. When a player comes to the big leagues at age 24 or so, we expect them to be the next big thing. We’re used to guys like Strawberry, Gooden, Wright, Reyes over here. Over there we’re used to seeing Jeter, Cano and others hit the ground running at such a young age. I’d love to hear what Francesa and others were saying about Bernie Williams when he was 24 years old? I’m not using this comparison to say Murphy and Williams are similar players. I’m using it to say that at 24, not everybody is a superstar yet.
Here’s a breakdown for you. At age 24, Bernie Williams hit .268 with a .333 OBP, .400 SLG, 12 HR, 63 RBI, 53 BB and 106 Ks in 567 at bats.
Daniel Murphy this year at age 24 hit .266, .313 OBP, .427 SLG, 12HR, 63 RBI, 38 BB and 69 Ks in 566 at bats.
Now I’m pretty bad at math, but those are two ridiculously similar seasons are they not?
I’m also weak on history at times, but I’m pretty sure the old Yankee stadium was a little easier to hit Homeruns in than Citi Field is no? (Sarcasm)
So in 1993, did Francesa sit Steinbrenner down in the studio and tell him why Williams can’t be a starting outfielder for a championship team?
Murphy was undoubtedly given too much hype and responsibility this year. He was put onto a stage with guys like David Wright, and he’s not that kind of player. Let’s not forget though, it’s a whole lot easier for a player like Murphy at his age to be successful when he is hitting behind guys like Wright, Beltran and Delgado. It’s not so easy when Fernando Tatis is the threat a pitcher faces if they don’t get Murphy out.
Personally, I think the Mets should get a veteran 1B who has about 2 years left in the tank. They should use that guy to work with Murphy and allow Murphy to mature with the big league club, rather than throw him in and expect great things. I’ve been a big supporter of Nick Johnson because I feel even if Johnson gets hurt here or there, that the time he spends with Murphy will be invaluable to Murphy’s future with the team. I think Daniel Murphy can be the type of player Nick Johnson has been throughout his career minus the injuries hopefully. Whether you like Johnson or not, you can’t deny the fact he is one of the best players at getting on base. If they sign Johnson to a two year deal, when healthy he’d be on base 40% of the time when the #4 hitter is at the plate, and if he gets hurt, Murphy can still step in.
I don’t know what they will do though. I could see them finding a new left fielder, #2 pitcher and going to work with the rest of the guys they’ve got. I’d rather wait and see what happens over deciding the future before the Mets even have a chance to show us what’s in store.
I think Daniel Murphy can be a *good* major league ballplayer. Not everybody has to be a Hall of Famer. He needs to get back to the patient, on base style hitting that he showed us in October 2008 and not worry about hitting homeruns because people tell him first basemen need to hit homeruns. If Beltran, Wright, Frenchy and a new Left Fielder are hitting homeruns, then all Murphy would need to do is be on base for them to bring him home.
The next person that calls Francesa about Daniel Murphy, please ask him about Bernie Williams. Williams was a below average hitter in the big leagues from 1991 until 1995, but the Yankees stuck with him despite his performance at the plate.
I think Murphy could absolutely be a bust. It could happen, but I’m willing to see it through further than 1 full major league season to decide whether he is worthy of being in the starting lineup. Not everybody can be Rookie of the Year.
About the Author: Michael J. Branda
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Good points. I think Murphy can easily, and will likely, improve off this year. With a better lineup that means more walks. I think he can hit 20 home runs, which is fine. I think he plays good defense, and another offseason and spring of practice and repetition will help his instincts and his comfort level, avoiding some of the mental/pressing mistakes he made.
Also, I like his style of play. I like that he plays hard, and plays aggressively. Aggressive is the way this team wins. Murphy’s not afraid to try to take the extra base, take off on a ball in the dirt, or aggressively charge a bunt and throw to second. Now, some of these are ill-advised. But he’ll learn. He’ll learn how far a ball needs to be away from the catcher before he can make it to third. He’ll learn about different outfielder’s arms, and picking up third base coaches and when he can go first to third. He’s willing to push the envelope and make things happen.
EXCELLENT blog..perhaps one of the best from this site in a long time. A point about baseball many Mets fans seem to understand is ROLE players. Not every guy on your team can steals 30 bases, or hit 30 homeruns, or bat .300. You need guys who are grinders, who play everyday, and who love baseball. Look at the Phillies, they have Pedro Feliz and Shance Victorino…it took 3 years for Victorino to become the All Star he is today, and Feliz plays his role very well(good defense, play everyday, enough power). The Dodgers have guys like Casey Blake and James Loney. The Cardinals only have 2 superstars in Pujols and Holliday…everyone just grinds it out everyday. Boston is probably the most sucessful team this decade and they are full of guys who know their role on the team and execute it well.
Mets fans seem to wat that “Yankee flair” and bunch of strikeout artists who hit bombs..but its been 3 years since the Yanks made the playoffs. What did they do differently this season? Less Matsui and Damon and more Gardner and Melky, guys who give the team enerfy and passion.
That’s who Murphy is, I think he’s better as an everyday player than as a bench player but that he needs to work extremely hard at his defense to make up for his lack of athleticism. What he, Wright, Francouer, Santana, and K-Rod bring to a team isn’t seen in a box score or on Sportcenter, its seen on TV in October.
Jessep,
Nice job. I too am a Daniel Murphy fan. One thing you can say about Murph is he’s a warrior. He’ll run through a wall to catch a baseball. I agree with you also about the Wilpons going on WFAN yesterday. I for one cannot stand Francessa, I haven’t listened to him for years. But the Wilpons went on the FAN and took some heat.
Prince Fielder would look good at first base in 2010.
Here are Prince Fielder’s numbers at age 24 which looks like an “off year” for him.
Games AB Runs hits 2b 3b HR RBI SB SO BA OBP
159 588 86 162 30 2 34 102 3 132 276 372
Murphy should be included in a trade for Prince Fielder or if not be little Daddy’s caddy.
No way should Murphy be the Mets 2010 starting first baseman. I’d prefer to have Delgado back if that would be the case.
This is not the early to mid 70′s teams where we can have a loveable scrappy scrub at dam near every position except right field (Rusty Staub) and pitcher (Seaver Koosman, Matlack).
This is the New York Mets, not the K.C. Royals, unless Murphy is a back up he should be used as trade bait, we shouldn’t be “hiding” this guy in the line-up.
I agree Greg. Maybe Murphy will blossom into something in a few years, who knows. I personally think he’ll not ever be a super star. But, if we can use him as a part of a trade deal to get Fielder, or a #2 pitcher, then why hold on to him to see IF he develops into something. I think Evans is just as good or better than Murphy. In today’s MLB, you can’t win pennants with a team of hopfuls and maybes.
Great post, Jessep!
Love the comparison with Bernie Williams. I did that with a couple of other players at age 24, before they blossomed. While we’re doing comparisons, why don’t you compare Murphy & Wright’s statistics for THIS YEAR:
Doubles: Wright 39, Murphy 38
Triples: Wright 3, Murphy 4
Homeruns: Wright 10, Murphy 12
RBIs: Wright 72, Murphy 63
Ave.: Wright .307, Murphy .266
Ok, ok – I’m not saying that they’re comparable ballplayers, as DW’s numbers are well below his average annual production. BUT Murphy is an intelligent grinder with Roy Hobbs’ demeanor and Charlie Hustle’s DNA.
Let’s consider a best-case scenario for Murphy. He develops into a gold-glove caliber first baseman – as in he knows what to do and does it when he gets the ball – and checks in every year @ .310, 47 doubles, 5 triples, 17 homers & 97 RBIs. That’s not really a stretch.
If you have Wright and Reyes on the left side of the infield, and man second base with a Brandon Phillips-type righty power bat, you’ve got yourself one heck of an infield. An outfield of Pagan, Beltran & Francouer is more of the same – power, speed & average in healthy and varying doses. Everyone entering their prime, except Beltran, who is still in his prime.
I know one thing…Daniel Murphy wasn’t the problem this year.
Oy, Vey!
Day two of the Murph-love fest. Okay, the man is far from terrible, but what the stats do tell us are also what they don’t. How ’bout the intangibles? The pathetic errors, the miserable base-running decisions, and the crummy baseball instincts–fielding judgments, etc.
If we are “stuck” w/ him at 1B come April, it will mean the Mets brass isn’t serious about taking the Mets to a higher level. He should definitely be boxed up w/ some other mediocrities for some serious trade. He would make a perfect Cub!
Russell – you do know this was his FIRST full year playing right? Its the rare player that doesnt’ make those dumbarse mistakes the first year, were you missing the day patience was handed out?
teee heee just busting on you – sorta……..
I think the season is over by just a few days (or months), I love the lively discussions, but lets see in a few weeks how this unfolds……
By the way, if we had to allocate financial resources, I’d rather invest money in quality pitching and invest time and effort in developing Daniel Murphy.
One other thought about Murphy is that, while he’s not fast, he is quick and he appears very comfortable on the right side of the infield and is quite adept at throwing to second base to get the lead runner. Is second base out of the question?
When I start thinking like that, I always revert to my Brandon Phillips mantra. He seems perfect for this team in so many ways. Here’s the trade:
Reds get: Mike Pelfrey, (Rueben Tejada or F-Mart) & Bobby Parnell
We get: Brandon Phillips
We sign: John Lackey & Joel Pineiro
Our Infield: Wright, Reyes, Phillips, Murphy
Our Outfield: Pagan, Beltran, Francouer
Our Catchers: Benjie Molina, Josh Thole
Our Rotation: Santana, Lackey, Maine, Pineiro, Niese
Not a bad team.
I will not give up Mike Pelfrey, Bobby Parnell, and Tejada/F-mart for Brandon Phillips. I don’t think there’s that much of a neccesity for a 2B. I mean, we can just sign Orlando Hudson. He’s pretty good.
Your plan also fails to take into account Castillo, Perez, Redding…etc.
Ram -
O-Dog is injury-prone, notwithstanding his fine attributes. For the sake of risk management, we should employ someone at 2b who is durable. If we want to develop Murphy at 1b, then our second baseman needs to provide power.
Castillo’s trade value, if you will, has peaked. I would package him with cash for one pitching prospect. BTW, Castillo had a grand total of 12 doubles this year. His .300 batting average is a mirage. His actual production was stifling.
Ollie has to prove that he can pitch and Redding can compete for the no. 5 slot.
We should trade Pelfrey while he still has trade value, and Parnell has never really succeeded in professional baseball, despite his great stuff. Both of those pitchers are tradeable commodities and can and should be replaced by more polished professionals.
Brandon Phillips is durable and strong and loves to play the game. He balances the line-up with a power bat to complement Wright & Francouer. He strengthens our core for years to come. Most of our minor league prospects hit from the left side (Chris Carter, Ike Davis, F-Mart, Havens, etc…)
Making a quick note on something you wrote before, Were you suggesting that we should try Murphy at second base? He was placed there in winter ball, I believe…Somehow i don’t think he’d make a good double play partner, you know?
Good point on the left handed hitting prospects ; and I won’t deny that Phillips is durable and a good player. He’s 28 and he’s got power, and he’s a solid player overall.
I should make it known that i’m not completely for Castillo at 2B next year and I do think we should trade him. He can bat .300, but doing the POW awards made me notice the incredibly high amount of singles he hit. He’s a liability in the lineup.
Trading Parnell i’d think about because he’s basically a “project”. But I couldn’t trade Pelfrey. Knowing Omar’s love for Perez, he’s probably going to be a starter in the rotation next year and alot of people overlook him. I still have faith in him and I’ll wait and see with him. If only it was as easy as sending him to AAA.
I rally for O-dog only for the fact that if we can get him on a one-year deal, it’s not the worst we could do and he’s easily more offensively gifted than Castillo.
I would trade for Phillips, but not with Pelfrey in the deal. I’d do Parnell, Tejada in a heartbeat, but I couldn’t pull the trigger with Pelfrey as the third player.
Icandiggit…Pelf has the potential to be dominant… but for this team as currently constituted, Phillips is almost a must-have. Perhpas the only reason I would even begin to consider Murph as a second baseman is that Jeff Kent became serviceable, and I consider Murph to be a superior gloveman at this point in his career.
Geez, the Mets brain trust went on a talking caravan and promised Mets fans the world. They claim to be ready to spend what it takes and do everything necessary to build a “championship team”. And what do the Mets fans do? If you believe this string, they construct a little house of cards composed of mid and lower tier players and assume those guys will somehow consistently perform like champs. Come on Mets fans! Think Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder, Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, and Roy Halladay. The Big Man (Jeff of the former Coupons) promised you the world and gave you a veritable blank check (whatever Omar wants)! Lay claim to some of that and go for legitimate championship players. Why not ask for 3 of the 5 I listed: one 1B, one OF, plus Halladay? That’s the formula for success; not trying to make do with also-rans. The also-rans showed you what to expect: a battle for the cellar (have you forgotten already?) And you’re happy with that? Stop trying to save Fred’s money! After all Jeff seems willing to spend it!
Great post. I remember earlier in the year I was calling for people to lay off a little when I wrote an article noting that he’s just 24 and not every player is a David Wright/Jose Reyes at 24. Some guys it takes time to develop. And I honestly believe the skill set is there for Murphy. He’s learning to pull the ball and he’s not horrific at first base. He showed alot of power down the stretch in September and finished with 38 doubles, which is a decent number.
He reminds me, at the current moment, of Billy Butler on the Royals. I think he can develop into a player of his caliber.
mets fans were lied to yesterday by three desperate, conniving sheisters. I do agree we need role players but Omar cannot be the one to pick them. And jerry cannot be the one to manage them. jerry has shown that he would throw his own mother under the bus to keep a job. To imply that Sandy Alomar cannot coach players to turn a DP when his son is going to the Hall of Fame? Do I wanta dog like this managing my players? No thank you. Finally, I do not hate murphy, but that is entirely too much print ink for a bench player. Murphy is one of the worst base runners I have ever seen. I actually think his aggressive nature would benefit him at 1B in the long run. But he is not a big time offensive player. No more old first baseman for me, thanks..
Pelfrey had a bad year and still won 11 games for a team that lost 93 games? And you want to get rid of him? Castillo had what was for him an average year meaning he hit .300 stole 20 bases and was on base almost 40% of the time and you want to get rid of him???
Fernando Martinez is 20 years old! 20 YEARS OLD! He has ONLY been playing competitive baseball for 6 years! And you want to get rid of him? Why? I just don’t get it.
I’ll defend what I said about Castillo. 2B isn’t exactly the most offensively gifted area on the baseball diamond but you can still get quality players at that position.
Castillo did good this year and I appreciate him batting .300. But most of his hits were singles and he shows little to no power ; and dare I say it, too much patience. I think he’s somewhat of a weakness in the lineup because of that. But understand that i’m not calling him a bad player.
This Castillio had the most unproductive .300 season I’ve ever seen. So did Wright. But Castillio is an old whatever his age is. He cannot score from 2nd on a single, cannot beat Cecil Fielder in a foot-race, I’m not even going to mention Prince, except to say that Castillio should be included along with the glamour boy Daniel Murphy in a deal for Prince Fielder, and Castillio is fundeMENTALLY unSound!!!
He embarrassed the whole organization and millions of Mets fans when he dropped that Gay-Rod pop-up. Trade him while his value is the highest it going to be.
Bottom line is this team has to be improved and it’s good that Castillio hit “300″ because we can do some things.
Please somebody call the large one. He has such a crush on Bernie Williams and it’ll be so much fun to watch him spin so much he may lose 1/2 a pound.
Hey Jessup….I must say that in the 3 plus years I have been reading and writing in to this website, that your posting is the best one I have seen. I too agree that we need to see what Omar will do un the free agent market and that this past season was just one of those things that happens every so often. Omar went out and fixed the bullpen, thought that Ollie’s upside was better than the free agents available who were older and looking for long term deals along with huge dollars so he signed Ollie. I hope that if Ollie does not show his upside during Spring Training instead of his downside that the team will just bury the loss because the Ollie of implosions and no guts would be a cancer for the team. What happens with Murphy will be determined by Delgado’s status and the dealings down the road that we must be patient for!
Let’s go Mets for 2010