29
2012
Has Murphy Done Enough To Keep His Job At Second Base?
An article by 
Sandy Alderson and Terry Collins have spoken glowingly about the progress made at second base by Daniel Murphy this season.
“I think anytime you’re a guy who’s trying to learn a new position, you spend a lot of time at that position to get comfortable, and Dan has worked very, very hard,” Collins said. “I think he’s done a very good job defensively, he’s really done a good job around the bag.”
Murphy has committed 15 errors this year, though Collins said he’s seen great improvement in the second half. Collins has also been impressed with Murphy’s offense despite the lack of real power.
“He’s hit in some different spots in the lineup,” Collins said. “Players who come in here like to know where they’re hitting in the lineup. But Dan’s one of those guys, who as long as his name’s in the lineup, he’s going to get you some good at-bats.”
Murphy was solid at the plate batting .291 with just six home runs, but 40 doubles to go along with them. He drove in 65 while scoring 62 runs and had a .733 OPS for the season.
I asked our staff about Murphy and whether they thought he had shown them enough to remain at second base for the Mets next season.
Jessica – I’ve always liked Daniel Murphy. One of my favorites and one of the nicest ballplayers on the team. After jumping around from position to position, it seems like Murphy has finally found his spot at second base and I can see him as the Mets starting 2B in 2013. I also think the Mets would give him the best opportunity to start; if he were to play for another team, he would probably be more of a utility/pinch hitter type of player.
Nick – For me Daniel Murphy absolutely solidified 2B as his. While he didn’t hit for good power he is solid enough on offense and improved on defense and I am only trading him if a true 2B is signed.
Robert P. – In my opinion yes, and anyone who has paid attention this year should know by now that I am definitely NOT with 28. Murphy’s defensive abilities still leave a lot to be desired, but he showed significant progress. While it would be great to squeeze some more power out of him, his bat still ranks among the best second baseman in baseball in several categories. I’m for keeping this square peg in its round hole for at least one more season.
Mitch - Daniel Murphy has done enough to earn the job in 2013, but he is still a year to year type project. If he takes a step backwards with either the bat or glove he will be out – but if he keeps progressing he will be the Mets second baseman of the future.
XtreemIcon – He’s by far the best in-house option they have, provided Tejada is the shortstop. I wouldn’t lock him and preclude improving that position via trade, but it’s his job to lose right now.
Clare - I love Murph’s passion, effort and drive. And he did a good job at second this year. But, if a real 2nd baseman was available, I would go after him. I wish the Mets could find a real place for Murph.
Barry – I’d trade Murphy in the right deal and give Valdespin and some veteran (?) a shot at second base. I’d trade Murphy even-up for a possible closer who lost his job with another team, but is still young (say Jordan Walden) or maybe a righty bat, but no giveaways.
Joe S. - Is he the most important piece of the puzzle that needs to be fixed…probably not. Does that mean he’s a lock though? By default yes. Unless someone within the organization ( Attention Reese Havens) decides to live up to their potential I don’t see Murphy going anywhere.
Jessep - Nobody gets more out of their God given ability than Daniel Murphy does on the diamond. To me, I’d prefer a defensive minded 2B. With Tejada and Ike still being very young, I’d love a veteran 2B there with a good-great glove who can hack it as an NL hitter. If Murphy hit for more power like Dan Uggla, then I certainly would be more accepting of his defensive woes. I appreciate everything Murphy has done, but I think his lack of defensive ability will always haunt him.
Gregg - I am a huge Daniel Murphy fan. He should 100%, most definitely be the Mets second baseman for 2013. Murph is a proven big league hitter, and he’s accepted every challenge this team has presented him with (left field, first base). Yeah, Murph has paid his dues and earned the right to be the starting second baseman.
Ed – He did. But I think he will be the Mets’ everyday second baseman only because the Mets have no other decent option. Where have you gone, Reese Havens?
Dan – Daniel was very productive this season, and ranks up there as some of the top offensive second baseman in the league. However, he still has his flaws and if we can find an upgrade then I would be open to it.
What are your thoughts on Murphy?
Are you content with his progress and okay with him as your second baseman for at least another season?
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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I see a few are still harping on his lack of power…
Well try to go through two consecutive Knee Operations and see if you retain your power after that.
Real Power comes from the legs and It will take another year for Murphy’s legs to come back into his mechanics.
He played a fine 2B more than anyone could have expected and provided he doesn’t get worse has locked that position for himself.
i also think Murphy adds much to the lockeroom/Dugout as he does to the stat sheet.
He is not quite untouchable yet but he is one of the guys that would be better to keep than trade away.
Xtreem said it well in that he is the best ‘in house’ option the team has. As such, I would not think he should be moved in order to bring in someone better until the other positions are addressed (C, OF, BP). If he is part of a trade that facilitates major upgrades at those positions, I’m fine with that. If he is the starting 2B next year, I’m fine with that.
Murphy is still playing out of position…
Kudos for him for trying and doing an admirable job, but he is a corner IF..
no expects Ike Davis or Mark Texiera to slide over to 2B
I think Murphy has done enough to deserve a spot on the 2013 roster…but putting him at 2B does not give us the BEST defensive option at 2B….
the best defensive 2B we have in our system is Ruben Tejada
this is part of the long term ramifications of not locking up Jose Reyes…it forces 2 people to play out of position, 1 of which affects how far to the line our 1B is able to play. Ike Davis def plays more toward the hole with Murphy out there in 2B
Tejada is playing out of position at SS? Tejada played over 90% of his minor league games at SS. The only reason he played 2B in the majors is because that is where he was needed at the time.
correction:
not that he is playing out of position…but IMO his range is better at 2B than it is at SS…
his range also allows Ike to play closer to the line…
Ike at 1B, makes up for ALOT of David Wright’s throws…
I support Murph. Despite all complaints and belittling, this guy did a decent job at 2nd, turned in sparklers now and then, and hit well overall. I actually thought this year was a fluke in terms of his lack of HRs. No reason he doesn’t hit 15 dingers next year.
Simply, I am comfortable with him being the 2-bagman. No reason to think he won’t be a productive part of an improved team next year.
Way too many holes to worry about 2B, that being said if we can get Andrus then I wouldn’t be up in arms about his departure.
Elvis is arb-eligible this year….in 2014 he will be too expensive…by 2015 he will be completely unaffordable…by 2016, he may be the premier SS on the free-agent marke
getting elvis is essentially a 2 year deal….2013-2014 in my opinion are already done and gone..
we are getting rid of not only guys with big contracts…but guys who will be due for big arb raises and coming up on free-agency…
If there is a reason to trade Ike Davis, Murphy, and Duda , this will probably be it
anyone coming into the org via trade has to be someone in the minors with no service time yet…
Personally, I would rather have this…
Trade Dickey to Texas in a sign/trade deal…….throw in Kirk….throw in Havens…throw in Corey Vaughn, Darrel Ceccirelli
get back Jurickson Profur and Christian Villanueva
texas will have to deal with the fact that they have both a Daniel Murphy and a David Murphy on the same team and never call one the wrong name
we now have a SS AND a defensive upgrade at 2B
and 3 options in the 3B derby …Wright at 16 mil…Murphy at 2 mil…or Flores at 400K
I would trade Wright to a contender on the verge of winning who has a need for a 3B…
none of them can be in the NL East…so no Braves or Phils
I say…
trade Wright, Flores and some filler to the AL EAST…
this can be Boston…for Wil Middlebrooks…( stud 3B prospect )
this can be to Baltimore for Manny Machado ( stud SS/3B prospect )
this can be to the Yankees for a BOATLOAD of their over-hyped prospects…plus we will take A-Rod off their hands…but only if they pay 90% of his salary…
we then trade A-Rod off to Boston, pay 10 % of his salary and listen to Yankee fans cry as we assist A-Rod in resurrecting his career in Beantown and continuing his job of being the most hated player the Bronx has ever seen
thats the price of seeing David Wright ( and eventually Reyes ) in pinstripes
For those same reasons you mention about Elvis getting very expensive is why Texas would trade him over Profur.
Well sending them a ( potential ) Cy Young Award winner…who they originally drafted in 1996…along with Murphy…along with some prospects can help off-set that…
maybe…
plus i dont think Texas is as tight with their cash now as we are…
Elvis would not get too expensive for 85% of the league…and certainly not a team with Texas’s bucks…new ownership…new tv deal…
Texas refused to trade Profur for an actual Cy Young winner in Greinke. Very much doubt they’d even listen to an offer around Dickey.
frankly im surprised they havent locked up Andrus on a team friendly deal yet…
Well, I think that’s because of Profar. Kinsler’s not going anywhere. If I were a Rangers fan, I wonder how Kinsler would be at 3B. They appear to be open to trying Olt at 1B. Imagine that infield of Olt, Profar, Andrus and Kinsler?
They have a tough decision to make. Trade either Andrus or Profar or trade Kinsler. 3B is already locked down. I suppose they could slide Kinsler over to 1B but that would not be the best use of his talent either.
LOL< OK buddy.
Nobody on this team outside of David Wright, Ike Davis, and Matt Harvey should be a given to keep their starting spot. If Murphy can be traded as part of a package to bring a better player in return and the Mets use Valdespin or veteran stop gap player at 2B, then so be it.
Valdespin isn’t a stopgap; he’s a “gogap,” meaning he sucks at 2nd.
Uh yeah, in the words of SRT THIS^^^
Ha!
I guess my opinions about Valdespin right now are well known. Replacing Murph at 2nd with Valdy right now is a downgrade. If Valdy can learn to hit at the ML level someday, he might become a viable starter.
Also, I agree with you. Murphy is the least of our problems for 2013.
I think Murphy’s slump was due to changing his style in the middle of the season. He starter to inside out swing instead of driving ball. He got back to driving ball later in season. Otherwise, he was a bright spot in our lineup with his amount of doubles. I like his normal swing but he might be a casualty in a package to acquire an outfielder.
Murphy is there simply because the Mets have too many other holes to fill. Unless he could be part of a deal to improve the team, since he doesnt have enough value on his own, I dont see upgrading second as the biggest priority. The Mets, at present, need a minimum of 2 OFs and at least one decent catcher.
The Mets problems are NOT at 2B. He is my favorite player but to improve the team I would include him in a deal since he is replaceable. Yes it hurts when our favorite player is traded. But team first and foremost. I got Murphy’s and Wally’s autograph ball right on top of my competer encased in plastic holder for display.
One area we don’t have to worry about is second base – perhaps all the focus on Daniel is to avoid all the other areas we do have to worry about.
I’m with 28, so I’ll say yes…but after one year of learning 2nd base, next year he really needs to step it up and be consistent. I the mistakes last year I mark up to “learning experiences” which I was OK with then, next year will be different, he’ll never win the gold, but he should be able to play in on the dirt more and cut his errors way down.
I think he’s fine at the plate, I did think he got a little “slap/protection mode” happy and i want to see him pull and drive the ball more early in the count.
Sadly, we don’t have any better options at 2nd right now. I’m not sold on Spin at all, he seems like a “L Millz 2.0″ to me. Reese Havens can’t stay healthy and Wilmer Flores seems destined for a corner infield position according to everything I’ve read.
If we can make a deal with Murph for a true upgrade in the OF or closer position, then I’d trade him, but trading him for an average MLB players with no future would be wrong.
I hear what everyone is saying and it reminds me a lot of the things people used to say about Jeff Kent.
Decent bat but isn’t the best Glove and a liability.
I say check off the IF as set and trade anyone else to fix the OF.
There are no catchers to be had that does anything for us so get cracking on developing Plawlecki or draft the best C you can find in the draft/ifa and wait till something breaks that allows a REAL improvement not something that just repaces the problems we have with other problems.
Yes Thole sucks but so does just about everyone else anyone has mentioned going after!
Sure they have a better glove at the expense of the bat!
Might as well just use Shoppach who at least has some experience.
I know a lot of you don’t think much of anyone’s trade value outside of our Pitchers and IF but it’s there and you need to stop looking for Guys you “THINK YOU CAN LIVE WITHOUT” as trade bait because your only playing Whack a Mole, not improving the team.
Trade anyone but Ike, Niese, Harvey and Wheeler. If Murphy or Tejeda have to go to improve the team then they are NOT untouchable in the righr deal. However Murphy my favorite Met is more replaceable than Tejeda.
Joe,
Murph is an easy guy to root for, as his attitude and work ethic are admirable. Yes, he did make improvements defensively as the season went on. However, despite the improvement, his defense is still poor, possibly league low. While the Mets have other matters of more concern, Murph needs to OPS at .800 or above to justify retaining the position.
Second base is at the very bottom of our to-do list. Could we do better than Murphy? Yes. Is he killing us? No. Lets find a centerfielder and rightfielder with power. Lets upgrade catcher. Lets revamp the bullpen again. Lets take care of those things first and if there’s time and money left afterward, maybe we can talk about replacing Murphy at 2B. Until those other things are done, this is non story.
certainly for another year. If there was someone in the system pushing him out of the way, fine. But there isn’t (unless of course they trade for a new SS and want to move Tejada over).
But, he is likely a year to year guy now. Quite possible by 2014 he will not longer be the answer.
but overall, he certainly did much better at 2B than most people predicted. By the end of the year, it seemed like you never really noticed him over there (which is a good thing, meaning he generally looked like a “real” 2B!)
Do they have the wherewithal to get anything better? If not, he’s earned it.
I think he’ll move to first after they trade Ike.
I doubt they trade Ike, but if they did, Duda would be moving to first.
I’m fine with Murph at 2B next season and moving forward. I agree with TC in that IMO Murph got better defensively with smoother actions in the field, around the bag and on the DP turn as the season progressed. A legit .300 40 doubles bat that doesn’t disappear vs. his own hand pitching ( as so many lefty bats do), .283BA vs. LHP & .294BA vs. RHP in 2012 don’t exactly grow on trees for 2B in the bigs. I also like Murph because he plays the game with some energy, spunk and verve. I’m sorry, Sandy, leave well enough alone, find your HRs some place else on the diamond. Besides, what better internal or external 2B option is realistically available to Sandy? IMO, really none. Both Sandy and TC soured on Valdespin at 2B, SS or CF as the season progressed, Reese is a bust and I think Wilmer best fits at 1B defensively in the bigs.
I would imagine that 2B is well down on the list of positions to address this off season, especially given the small amount of payroll to play with.
About the only way I see Murphy going is if they somehow land a new SS for the future, and decide to keep Tejada over Murphy at 2B. That assumes they get a good trade offer for him otherwise he could easily be kept as a utility guy
I’m with 28….for some obvious reasons to those who know me.
That said, I don’t think 2B is a place we need to actively pursue. If something better jumps up, then we’ll talk. But as of now, it is his spot.
and next year, we can reassess this issue.
Thats because we need a TOP SS…
A Top SS moves Tejada to 2B…gives us a great up the middle combo…
it allows Murphy to move to 3B when we trade Wright…
or 1B if we trade Ike
Murph is NOT a middle-infielder…he is a corner IF..
he has done an admirable job trying…but lets face it…he also is in no position to say anything but YES SIR
Sandy: Daniel, we are trying to get you in the lineup….we think we can fit you at 2B
Daniel: Screw you Sandy, Fangraphs said that im better suited for 1B or 3B…you need to tra..
Sandy: Trade you….we will trade you for Joaquin Arias. Good Bye…
( Sandy walks away )
Daniel: YES ! I get to go to a winner and play a position I’m better at…sucks to be you Joaquin!
I’m sure you love these little scenarios you invent, but you really have no clue what goes on behind closed doors or inside their heads.
Why on earth would they go get another SS when they have guys who can play MI? Why mess with the one thing working well for them unless they get blown away by a proposition?
They have a weak outfield and no prospects close to breaking in that would be suitable every day players.
Any resources that would be used to get a superfluous player like a SS would be better spent in the OF, or at catcher, or in the bullpen. Or just plain acquiring more prospects.
And Joaquin Arias? So, the same guy with less power and average? A guy who has played more than 72 games once in his career? A guy who already played the bench here?