The possibility of a Daniel Murphy-Mets reunion was apparently once possibly, at least in the mind of Daniel Murphy. As Mike Puma wrote in today’s New York Post, Murphy held out hope that he and the Mets could reach a multi-year deal until the Neil Walker trade went down.
According to Puma, Murphy was not aggressively pursuing other options until the Walker trade, despite being told by team officials that a reunion wasn’t going to happen.
Despite an incredible Division Series and Championship Series, Murphy’s market isn’t as hot as it was expected to be. (The entire position player market hasn’t been particularly great this winter.) Even with Ben Zobrist off the board, teams don’t seem too keep on the possibility of committing three or four years to an above average hitter with below average defense.
Even teams who would presumably be interested in Murphy like the Nationals, who were more willing to trade prospects and take on a cumbersome contract than sign Murphy, aren’t interested. The idea that Murphy could get upwards of four years and $60 million is now long gone.
That being said, Murphy’s drop in price could bring some more teams back into play, especially in the National League. Teams may be more willing to give up a draft pick if they are giving up $35 million instead of $60 million.
Whatever happens, it seems like the Daniel Murphy saga will continue at least for a few more weeks.
