“He (Murphy) didn’t look smooth playing first base, but he was surprisingly good. UZR ranked Daniel Murphy as the 4th best defensive first baseman in the majors last year (2009). Plus/minus ranked him as tied for first with Albert Pujols and Kevin Youkilis. Fan Scouting Reports ranks Murphy as a better defensive player than either Carlos Delgado or Fernando Tatis. He was not only solid defensively, but in fact he appears to be one of the best.“

“He played a grand total of 13 minor league games at first before 2009.“

“On the other hand, it would make sense for Murphy to be an above average first basemen. He was a +2 infielder in 213 minor league games (196 at third), though that is by iffy minor league Total Zone. He spent most of his time at third base, which is traditionally thought to be a more difficult defensive position to play – so first should be an easier job for him, once he figures out how to actually play it.”

“Turning double plays. Not something traditionally associated with first basemen, but it can make a small difference. This seems to be another strength of Murphy’s. He initiated 9 ground ball double plays in 2009, fourth in the league among first basemen – and he only played two-thirds of a season at first. Murphy also finished fourth in assists to second base with 19. He turned more 3-6-3 double plays than anyone not named “Albert Pujols” – though it should be noted that he probably had more opportunities to turn double plays than other first baseman because of the Mets staff’s unfortunate aversion to pitching within the strike zone, thus putting more runners at first with less than two outs. All this shows that Murphy plays an first base with a third baseman’s mentality – he loves to go after the lead runner. “

“Daniel Murphy, in his 707 major league plate appearances as a 23 and 24 year old, has a wOBA of .330, which is exactly average, and an OPS+ of 103 – so his OPS is 3% better than the rest of the league during his major league stint. He’s young, he’s still improving, he only played one game at the AAA level before being called up to the majors. Despite all that, he’s been a league-average hitter, he’s projected to be a league-average hitter this year as well. “

http://www.patrickfloodblog.com/2010/02/coming-to-daniel-murphys-defense.html

Should we try Ike Davis at 2nd too?

the thumb is the real issue, but he did come back and pitch in winter ball. Only a couple innings I think, but enough to make sure he could do it (I assume that was the reason).

Pete rose played both, but I don’t know what order. and 1B too, but I believe that came later?

2nd wuold be beltran being clean up level productive. I expect he will be healthy enough to play, at least for a while!

most of the rest are reasonable to expect. not guaranteed, but not wild, pie in the sky prayers.

It does not matter if you watch every play of every inning of every game. Human memory is faulty. We romanticize things. We ignore things that don’t fit our preconceived notions. We emphasize things that support them.

Thats why we use cold, objective, unbiased numbers when attmepting honest evaluations.

The fact remains that people way more knowledgeable than yourself have decided Murphy will get a chance to audition for the starting 2b job. If he is or isn’t the starting 2b is moot.

What is important is whomever wins it that they can contribute and in whatever capacity that Murphy makes the team that he contributes as well.