Subtracting Endy in that injured JJ Putz trade hurt Murphy in two ways. He lost the risk mitigating Chavez who would have or should have been out there in the 7th 8th and 9th innings which would have been a huge help and then they went out and got Shefield to pair him with.

imagine if your trying to break into the Majors, hit enough to stick, are asked to learn a completely new position and then at the last minute your GM brings in a guy who’s probably going to the HOF and is probably only interested in getting 10 more HR’s to reach 500 for his career. Some well conceived roster idea that was.

Murphy covered so much more of 1B compared to Delgado it was unreal. Unfortunately he was very rough around the bag and with all the finer points of 1B. That is one very very hard position to learn how to play on the job, let alone while your fighting for your Major League life.

Overall Murphy’s bat was never going to be even average from a HR standpoint at LF or 1B and a doubles hitter with no one on base doesn’t do much for your bottom line.

Whatever Murphy’s failings were in LF and 1B were more the failings of the organization in counting on a rookie infielder to be an everyday outfielder on a team expected to compete for a pennant. The organization failed to properly project where Murphy would have the most upside. 15-20 HR’s as a ceiling usually prohibits you from playing 1B or LF,(unless you do some other things great) his arm precluded him from RF, he’s not built for the middle and yet he can put up 50 or even 60 xtra base hits. What else was left? Catcher at the very worst he could have been a 3rd catcher, pinch hitter, backup in LF, 3B and 1B which would have been a good use of a roster spot. At best he could have been a LH hitting Brian McCann.

Just like no one thought about putting Izzy in the bull pen (and just think about how different things might have been if they did) no one properly projected where Murphy’s all around assets and detriments would play the best.

That’s nothing new around here it’s been going on for decades.

As I said I have difficulty envisioning many 3b performing those aerobics Ugla,Utley,Kent,Johnson to name a few. I liosted Johynson because I noticed he can’t go to his right hardly at all.

My scenario wasn’t about aerobics either. It’s what you have to do to play the position. Thought you knew better.

Murphy’s best chance to be a full timer would have been at catcher and the worse that could have happened is he could have been a 3rd catcher and backup LFer, 3B and 1B and pinch hitter.

His bat really isn’t enough for LF or 1B on it’s own and his feet aren’t quick enough for the middle.

That’s what he should’ve done in winter ball – work on OF play.