Star-Ledger: Mets To-Do List

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• t agee September 30, 2011 at 2:35 pm

  Murphy, Bay Duda is ridiculous. With Kirk hurt and unable to be up here in April and Den Deker no where close to ready now, if ever and Puello still years away it would be absurd to non tender Pagan.

  Granted he had a bad year but he did have a very good 1 1/2 before that and no one can deny he has the physical ability to play well on both sides of the ball. He’s made many great catches in the OF. Catches so far out of other CFers range that base runners couldn’t get back to their bags in time to avoid a DP. His baserunning has overall been very good and his hitting at times has been outstanding. Sure he’s made a lot of bone headed plays and he’ll probably never eliminate those from his game but you have to focus on what he can do, and the likleyhood that he will do it as well as the other options available.

  I think he will have a good walk year in 2012 and I’d be willing to risk that he doesn’t because I don’t see any upgrades available that are any better than he is. Rick Ankiel’s best year is equivalent to Pagan’s worst one. In addition he was playing hurt (throwing arm) and with an illness (that needs to be factored in and checked out) so it’s quite possible that he will regain his form of the 2nd half 2009 and all of 2010. If he does, he will leave behind a supplementary pick after 2012 and even if he doesn’t, he’s probably better than anyone we could get anyway.

  Bay is an average LFer, Duda is a below average RFer and Murphy a very risky choice as plan A in LF and is overall a reason for any pitcher to avoid the Mets like the plague.
  • Metsie September 30, 2011 at 9:22 pm

    It’s not anymore rediculous though that sitting a .320 BA bat on the bench as a pinch hitter though.

    Reyes will determine if we have to risk Murphy in the Outfield or subject him to 2B for next year.
    If Reyes goes then Tejada moves to SS Murphy will play 2B and Turner will get his ABs spelling both and as a pinch hitter off the bench.

    Only other way Murphy isn’t placed in the OF is if Davis has a relapse on his ankle and can’t play a lot. Also possible is he just flat out doesn’t hit and has to go to the Minors until he finds his stroke. In that case Murphy will go back to 1B and not have to play the OF.

    But Those are the only ways in which you can avoid Murphy going to the outfiled and not waste that .320 BA he showed and can probably maintain if he gets regular playing time.
    • NJ stuck in TX September 30, 2011 at 10:06 pm

      I think he’s got 4 options, Mr. Murphy, that is.

      1. Reyes is gone, Tejada is SS and Murphy will either split or earn time at 2B
      2. Reyes stays, Murph takes over 2B or an OF position (both in a marginal platoon, based on his hitting alone).
      3. Murphy is traded in Spring training, as he basically can’t be moved in the offseason due to his injury.
      4. Murph is a bench guy.

      My money is on 3. Hoping for 4, actually, cause that will mean Reyes is on the team, Tejada is ripping it up and the OF spots are holding their own.

      Cue the “into the great wide open” tune from Mr. Petty.
      • Metsie September 30, 2011 at 10:32 pm

        While I agree with you in hoping they resign Reyes I do not see them keeping Murphy’ bat on the bench.
        Trade is possible but like you said if not to someone who needs a good hitting 3B it’s not likely especially with the injury still in the equation.

        Any trade will only be possible after he has played some and continued to hit.
        And you have to play him for that to happen.
        And that means in the field as well as at the plate.

        So 2B or OF is going to be the position with some Abs from resting Davis to keep that Ankle from acting up.
        • NJ stuck in TX September 30, 2011 at 10:38 pm

          Yeah, only way I go with bench is Murph not getting back up to 100% right away.

          He really could be super sub, starting a majority of games at 2nd base or the outfield, but subbing at 3B & 1B as well. I love me some Murph, but it’s really hard to just plug him at a position for the year and be comfortable. At least with plugging him in 2B, if he does flounder, there are about 15 replacements on this team ready to jump at 2B.
          • Bayonne Mets Fan September 30, 2011 at 10:44 pm

            If Reyes stays. Tejada is the stating 2B. Case closed.

            If Reyes leaves, Tejada is the starting SS. Murphy will NOT be at 2B, where he will play I do not know but 2 serious injuries and just simply being a LOUSY 2B won’t cut it.

            Daniel Murphy is a natural 3B and even though it was a small sample his defense was better than Wrights. If we sign Reyes, the smart thing to do is move Wright for a pitcher, free up some money and go with Murphy at 3B or a Murphy/Turner platoon at 3B. BOTH are much better situational and big spot hitters than Wright that’s for sure. I will bet you MONEY that Murphy will not be at 2B last year.

            And after watching Tejada at 2B this season and listening to GKR if you THINK Murphy STILL has a chance at 2B if Reyes signs than your questionable judgement goes beyond baseball

            Trade Wright and his paper stats for pitching.
            • Bayonne Mets Fan September 30, 2011 at 10:45 pm

              i meant to say “next year” not “last year”
            • NJ stuck in TX September 30, 2011 at 10:59 pm

              While I see the validity in what you are talking about, I do not think your are correct in saying Murph’s D was better than Wright’s at 3B. Either way, lowering the player at 3B to better the SP would work, but Wright’s contract would be a 1 year deal due to the contract language about the contract, so who is going to give up an ace type pitcher for 1 year of Wright?

              Would I cry a river if Wright was moved for a Bumgarden type? Nope. Do I think that will happen? Nope.
          • Metsie October 1, 2011 at 2:10 am

            Between giving Wright and Davis rest, plus ome or two starts at 2nd
            You could possibly get Murphy in there 4 games a week not including Pinch Hitting!

            If he can play the OF then you get more.

            But to sit him and give him one Ab per game would be a real waste.
            I don’t expect him to be a great fielder playing anywhere but maybe 3rd, But that bat needs to be used and to do that he has to take the field somewhere.
• alex68 September 30, 2011 at 2:38 pm

  at the end, i knew sandy was going to be given a pass, but now, is time to put up, or shut up.. he’s saying the things we wanna hear, but will he acutally do it?
  he’s never mentioning words like championship, winner, win on any of his conversations which is really strange. but we will see how he goes about his business this offseason. and can he stop talking about payroll for once????!!! WTF.. we need to reduce,guys making this amount of million, blah blah blah….. ugh…
• any September 30, 2011 at 2:55 pm

  It shouldn’t have to be said all the time. Trying to build a winner (of course within whatever limitations imposed by ownership) is what every GM is trying to do.
• any September 30, 2011 at 2:56 pm

  and agreed with agee. Murphy, bay, duda is not what I consider “fixing the defense”

  I bet murphy stays as a super sub type. Would be traded, but will be hard with his knee.
• Metstheory22 September 30, 2011 at 4:23 pm

  We need a top the order CF that can get on base, steal bases, score runs and go get the ball in CF. I do not see a free agent better than Pagan at this time. Murphy, Bay and Duda is asking for trouble. I like Murphy as a hitter, he should be nowhere near the outfield.
• Metsie September 30, 2011 at 9:26 pm

  If Pagan isn’t around I certainly would not complain about Pridie playing there until a decent one was found, perhaps someone from the Minors.

  Pridie hits better the more he plays so play him more and the Bat may just follow.
  He isn’t really young so he is not a long term option but he does make finding a CF or resigning Pagan not as important this season.
  • NJ stuck in TX September 30, 2011 at 10:23 pm

    I don’t hate the mentality behind the thought, but I can’t accept the Alderson would allow this team to roll with Pridie as the starting CF going into next year.
    • Metsie September 30, 2011 at 10:35 pm

      Well we don’t see him rolling with Reyes at SS either so your not really saying much there! LOL
      If what Reyes did isn’t enough to keep him then no way in Hell Pridie could win Sandy’s heart either if you get what I’m saying.

      Bottomline is we have someone who plays the position well…
      Does he Hit? Sometimes but only when given regular playing time.
      That might get him the start at least until he can be traded or something better comes along.
      And I could see him re-signing Pagan as well. But only if he has the pricetag of dirt!
    • steve October 1, 2011 at 6:58 am

      If Pridie is in Center its only to spot start for Niewenhuis
• gary s. September 30, 2011 at 11:53 pm

  ANYBODY WHO THINKS MUROHY CAN PLAY SECOND BASE SHOUKD FOLLOW A DIFFERENT SPORT!!
  • Metsie October 1, 2011 at 2:06 am

    And anyone who would sit a .320 hitter on the bench should as well!
• steve October 1, 2011 at 6:56 am

  #1 Pelfrey stays and is the closer
  #2 resign Reyes. up too 18 mill a year,if he wants more take the 2 draft picks?
  #3 Trade Murphy to Tampa for a starter.
  #4 Buy a bullpen. 10 milion can get you 2-3 good arms
  • Metstheory22 October 1, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    1. Pelfrey is NOT a starter so if we do keep him might be a good idea.
    3. There are a couple of teams that need a 3rd baseman. California has 3 CF so they might be a good fit also.