The Mets promoted highly touted infield prospect Dilson Herrera to the majors this week. He started at second base on Friday while Daniel Murphy played third base, filling in for the injured David Wright. Once Wright returns, Murphy is slated to return to second base.
However if Herrera plays well at second base while he’s here and can show he belongs in the major leagues, it could spell the end for Murphy writes Andy Martino of the NY Daily News, and the Mets could deal him sooner than anyone expected, according to people familiar with the Mets thinking.
Herrera was brought in to stabilize the middle infield after its struggles defensively with Murphy and Wilmer Flores at SS.
However, despite making 7 errors already, including another error on Friday, GM Sandy Alderson is still showing faith in Flores. Sandy continues to express confidence in Flores probably because of a lack of alternatives. The Mets have Triple-A shortstop Matt Reynolds who could be up in the majors soon, but he is not Herrera, team insiders say.
“We’ve got to figure out a way to lessen that concern on his part,” Alderson said of Flores. He also added that Flores showed last season that he can handle the position.
Alderson had a different tone when asked about the Murphy/Herrera second base situation.
“That’s the plan,” said the GM when asked if Murphy would return to second when Wright returns even if Herrera is playing well.
When asked if there’s a sense that Herrera could remain longer, Alderson added, “No — at the moment.” It suggested that there is a possibility Herrera could alter the plan.
Martino believes that if Herrera dazzles in the majors like he did in Triple-A, Murphy is out. The Mets could look to deal him before the July 31 trade deadline, even if the offers are less substantial than what they’ve turned down previously over the last two years. That’s how highly they view of Herrera if he’s ready.
The Mets have been attempting to trade Murphy for the last two seasons but never received an attractive offer. As a result they’ve viewed Murph more valuable as a player than a trade chip.
Dilson Herrera is considered a “future All Star but Daniel Murphy was the Mets lone All Star last season. He got off to a slow start this season offensively but has been better over the last week with some big hits in three of the last four games.
He came up big again on Friday night, clearing the bases with a three-run double, albeit with some help from Jayson Werth slipping on the outfield grass. He will have to keep doing that especially if Herrera succeeds at second base over the next week or so. At least that’s what Martino believes.
