18
2012
Can We Stop Worrying About Murphy At 2B Now?
An article by 
I got this question about a week ago and never got a chance to respond. It comes from one of our longtime readers, Hitman, who asks;
During the Mets/Phillies game (05/08), Gary & Keith pointed out the progression of Daniel Murphy’s defense at 2nd base. Has Murphy changed your outlook of him holding it down defensively at 2nd or does he still need to prove something a little more to make you more of a believer?
I’ve always been a big believer in Daniel Murphy from the word go. I had a chance to speak to him back in 2009 and when he told me he would play anywhere the team wanted him to he wasn’t kidding.
Back then we were talking about his transition to first base and left field, and regardless of the results, Murphy took one for the team and did the best he could.
In addition to his great prowess at the plate, Murphy has shown an uncanny ability to evolve defensively at whatever position the Mets throw at him. And he does it without complaining and all while he gets picked on by his many detractors in the fanbase and the media.
Fast forward to May 2012 and it’s hard to believe that the Daniel Murphy we see now at second base, is the same bumbling player we all worried about during spring training. Murphy has evolved into a decent second baseman and we can all breather a little easier now.
Murph’s footwork has vastly improved and he is no longer the clunky second baseman that had us holding our collective breaths whenever a ball was hit in his direction. Additionally, his ability to turn a doubleplay is no longer the challenge it once was, and he’s even entertained us with some great highlight reel plays and his surprisingly increased range, especially to his left.
Last night’s play to gun down Joey Votto at home plate, was a game saver by Murphy.
So to answer your question, yes, I’m convinced Murphy is no longer a problem at second base and I’m a big believer that he can succeed at anything he sets his mind to.
Imagine that… About 300 words on Murphy and I didn’t even mention that he’s hitting .330 at the plate and is a big reason the Mets are playing good, solid baseball.
Add to that the fact that Murphy’s aggressive and passionate play has become infectious and that he’s become one of the more vocal leaders in the clubhouse.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 24 | 18 | .571 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 20 | .535 | 1.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 23 | .465 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 32 | .256 | 13.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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Joe? Is that you? I hope you are feeling better.
I think Murphy’s greatest quality is that every day he gives it his all. He’s not going to win a gold glove at 2B, but he’s playing a passable 2B and he’s raking.
He will make mistakes, no doubt about it. But his bat is making up for it.
I agree. He only needs to be adequate at 2B to be a vital part of this team considering hit hitting.
First of all joe D, glad you’re back and well.. The CORE salute you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
of all, yes, i think murphy has improved a lot on second base, he’ll be fine… He’s a good hitter… more pop is needed but he’ll be fine!
Second
I think that the pop thing for Murphy could be overrated a little. It really depends on where he is hitting in the lineup. While it would be nice to see more power, if he is hitting in the 2nd spot then getting a ton of hits and getting on base for the guys behind him while not striking out are just as important IMO as the power numbers. If he has to move down in the order then yeah power numbers could be more of an issue. Again, that is just my philosophy.
we got too many singles hitter in this lineup it seems… And OBP guys with no clutch genes…
Hmmm, too many singles hitters. OK not to start the OBP debate up again as I said getting a ton of hits and getting on base. Murphy has shown to be clutch enough at times. My point remains that for a 1-2 hitter power might not be as important as it is for a 3-6 hitter. Is that an untrue statement or do you feel otherwise?
Also keep in mind that while the HR has not been there they are 2nd in the league in doubles at 71. And pretty close to league average in SLG.
They are also hitting .259 with RISP 17 points above league average and would be hitting .277 with RISP if you just took out Ike.
Finally they are hitting .279 with RISP2/O and would be hitting .323 without Ike (1/26)
Aren’t those YOUR measures for clutch?
No clutch genes? What does that even mean?
How many runs are they scoring with late 2 out rallies? How many come from behind wins?
Donal — The inane CLUTCH crap continues. Ignore the nonsense.
I just love how one persons definition of clutch is RISP and RISP2/0 yet they say the Mets aren’t clutch this year. I guess he moved the target again.
Yeah no clutch genes at all. They’re only leading Major League Baseball in 2 out hits, 2 out RBI’s and 2 out runs scored. Man I hate those a$$holes that get on base.
Good to see you well, Joe.
Remember, they had the idea to put Murphy at 2B back in 2009 after the left field experiment failed. His biggest problem this year I think was that he just wan’t sure of himself. He looked choppy and slow because he had to think about every little motion.
Which is what you expect from someone learning something new.
Now that he’s done it on the big league level, had some help around him and is a little more intuitive, he doesn’t need to think as hard.
Thanks guys. I was feeling a little stronger today and thought I’d reply to Hitman’s question. Still hospitalized but I’m finally upgraded from critical to stable and was transferred out of ICU to a regular room. Thanks for all your kinds words and thoughts the past 7 days. I wasn’t able to to respond to all of them but I read them all and thank you all
Great news! Prayers still remain.
Glad to hear your getting better, Joe. We’ve all been thinking good thoughts for you.
Hopefully the Mets will keep playing this above .500 ball and give you something to smile about while your stuck there in the hospital.
though it will probably be safer to turn the game off when Franky comes in to try and nail down a save…
Great to have you writing on MMO again, Joe. You scared me a bit. But it’s been said that only the good die young. I’m living proof of that. So you’ve also got a lot of living to do. I and the rest of your faithful readers want to share more good times with you.
Glad your feeling Better Joe! Rest up!
I’m now convinced Murphy can hold down a credible defensive 2nd base starting position.
I’ll confess to having my doubts going in, especially since I considered his stint in LF to be a failed experiment. Looking back, could be with more time and work he might have been decent out there too but I’m still doubting that. He’s a better IF than OF, IMO.
He might not ever look smooth out there in the IF, but I’m more than comfortable now with him playing 2nd.
I think it is because he doesn’t get enough time to over think and psyche himself out at 2B as opposed to LF.
Granted, that could be total bunk and I’m just trying to convince myself I know what goes through a pro athlete’s mind.
SRT and I have had this debate before. I just think most of it was he was always an IF and they threw him into the OF with little time to prepare.
trs86 — Little time for Murphy to prepare, to say the least. The outfield experiment was really an experiment concocted by Omar and Willie to save their own hides. Murphy had virtually no minor league experience in the OF. Well, he had some. He had a total of 11 PO as a minor leaguer. It was shameful what Omar and Willie did. Then they panicked and badmouthed Murphy and later Ryan Church. Jerry was no better, though overall I didn’t have problems with him anywhere near those called out by many MMO posters.
No I agree the Murphy experiment was totally unfair to Murphy. In fact in the playoff run he actually didn’t look that bad in LF but instead of really working with him on it that off-season they just threw him in as the defacto LF the next year… failure waiting to happen.
LOL….
I think part of the reason for his success at 2nd this year is the amount of time they spent working with him out there. He apparently soaked up all that knowledge and direction he was given and has been doing a good job at following it.
Keep in mind too that when they made Murphy an OF overall he was a terrible defender everywhere. He was just a kid who had never focused on defense and made the famous quote of “My name is Daniel Murphy and I bat 3rd”. I think maturity and reality stepped in a little bit and he started to really work at his defense at 1B the year he played 1B and then realized 2B was his best shot to stick with the Mets.
Could very well be – sounds reasonable.
Even so, I heard Murph joking – or maybe he was series – at ST this year where he was saying they told him ‘no need to bring an OF glove to ST’. LOL.
LOL, yeah I can’t imagine he would be very far up on the OF depth charts anymore.
Is it too early to talk extension for Murphy? He is arb eligible next year.
Yes, I think so. Absolutely no need. If as Alex said he was hitting for power and average at the end of the year and continuing to improve at 2B? Sure. Also I think some of it would depend on Havens as well who as far as I can tell left his bat in rehab.
I think it should at least be brought up. If he maintains a .300+/.350+/.400+ slash line and continues solid play in the field, what more does he have to do?
He’s been a total trooper, produced well and he deserves to have it pay off.
Well Donal, that would only add up to a .750 ish OPS right? I am not saying that’s bad as I said earlier that’s great for a #2 hitter. I am saying there is no need for an extension IMO yet.
it will also depend on what they think of the other guys coming up the system (Havens, Spin, Muno at least). they may not want to lock up the spot for a long time, though of course if he signs a reasonable deal could be tradeable.
not sure though if being signed for say 4-5 years makes him more or less moveable?
My guess, they go arb on him at least for next year, and consider a LT deal after that.
Agreed.
I think before the seasons over he’ll be a 800-835 OPS 2Bman. Once the weather warms up the ball carries better in that area by the bay and he should have a few round trippers before it’s all said and done..
Murphy has a work ethic that will overcome any challenge you put to him.
The guy is (simply put) a Warrior!
With Valdespin being the new utility backup, able to play OF and IF it may be time to look for some trades for the glut of IFs we have in the MiLs to gauge interest in them.
Spin needs more time to become the complete player we all hope he will be one day. He’s the latest half of the Santos/Valdespin act against Papelbon, but he needs time in the minors to hone all his skills. Flash with fruition is Spin’s challenge.
I was thinking more down the line there Des…
Yes he needs a bit more seasoning but he so far seems to be the guy Willie Harris was supposed to be on the Roster.
Only with a decent bat!
Maybe in time he proves to be a full blown starter but barring major injury or shakeup in the pretty much set Infield I can’t see a high probability of it with him as an everyday OF.
And I was thinking more along the lines of being able to trade some of the IF glut we have to get something else we need like maybe a real CF/Leadoff guy because Torres is a bandaid at best right now.
Murphy play on the foul popup yesterday was Gold Glove stuff:
“That was a tremendous play,” Terry Collins said. “Your back to home plate and you catch that ball and spin and make that accurate a throw? That was a marvelous, marvelous play.”
Wheres Bayonne. He said Daniel Murphy would never be a 2nd baseman for the Mets or any other team. When I said he was wrong he always tore into me.Now who was right Bayonne.
As much as I would love to tear into Bay. I will say to his credit, it is still very early and he has admitted that he might have been wrong about Murphy.
Jerry M — Congratulations. There’s a target rich environment with the Ball Boy from Bayonne. He is dogmatic and harsh. So I understand why you are raising your flag.
That he is but I think it’s unfair to call him out without him being present.
Wait, DES, aren’t you the same one who predicted havens to be our starting 2B by now? that tejada and ike davis suck? Why are you even talking, you should be in the apologetic line with a few of us as well.. You’re gettting worst and worst by the day..
I will agree that calling out others when they are not around is inappropriate. Wouldn’t you Alex
Alex68 — “tejada and ike davis suck?” If they do, the first time it’s been mentioned is in your post. I NEVER DID. You keep repeating the same crap every time you have an opportunity. As I’ve said, Tejada doesn’t have as much upside as Havens. Are you going to make me responsible for Havens injuries? If Havens ever gets over his torso issues, he’ll show why he was a First Round draft choice.
Alex, please don’t hold your breath for me to apologize for something I never said. I’m not getting WORST and WORST. You’re reading nothing and hearing voices. And you teach our kids? Oy vez.
Hi Joe D.
Glad to know that you are out of ICU and stable but very upset to realize you were in critical condition and sincerely hope that this won’t be the case for you in the future. Please rest and of course, follow doctor’s orders. We’re all in your corner and know you will like Daniel Murphy at second – after a rough time with many doubts, everything is now working out fine.
JD, WELCOME BACK!
Stay healthy, Paesano!!!
LGM!!!!
Good to hear you’re doing well Joe. Hopefully you can get home soon.
I never thought Murphy would improve as rapidly as he has. Not only has his overall 2nd base play improved but he’s really cut down on the bone head mistakes. He’s a tireless worker and a team leader. The definition of team player should have his picture next to it. I still don’t think he’ll ever be a really good 2nd baseman, but I now feel he can be adequate enough to play there. Hopefully he continues to improve and keep the bonehead plays to a bare minimum.
It is far more important that Daniel Murphy is no longer worried about playing second base and his improvement shows exactly that. Murphy has done very well so far this season showing good hands, better work on the pivot and heads up play. Murph will no doubt continue to improve defensively as he is a tireless worker.
His progress in the field has also helped him become a better hitter. His confidence has become a big factor!