Tonight Dilson Herrera will likely make his major league debut at second base, replacing Daniel Murphy who landed on the disabled list after yesterdays game. There has been a wide range of opinions on whether or not this move made sense for the Mets. My opinion is that it doesn’t matter. You can’t find out much about a 20 year old during his first 28 games.
For years Mets fans have been screaming for owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon to put a winning product on the field. They brought in Sandy Alderson who has done an incredible job rebuilding the farm system. What he hasn’t done in his four seasons as Mets GM is put a winning team on the field at the major league level.
One of those pieces that has spent time in the minors is Herrera who was acquired with Vic Black (in what now seems like an incredible trade) for Marlon Byrd and John Buck last season. The second baseman has absolutely torn up the minor leagues but it didn’t seem likely that he’d make his way to Queens for a few years. Murphy’s injury opened that door.
It’s exciting sure. I can’t wait to see what Herrera is all about. He’s young, he’s talented and boy can he hit. But where does this leave Daniel Murphy?
In his fifth full season in the majors, Murphy is hitting .301 and had a shot, before his injury, at 200 hits. He was trying to join Lance Johnson and Jose Reyes as the only Mets to accomplish that feat. Now Murphy goes to the disabled list as the forgotten man and the hype begins to surround Herrera.
There are a few possible scenarios. First is that Herrera tears up the final month of the season making either himself or Murphy expendable in a trade during the off season. Second is that he is just ok, leading to no definitive answers whatsoever. Third is that he doesn’t come close to filling the void left by Murphy and the Mets are forced into a much more difficult decision after the season. Sign Murphy or trust Herrera.
If the Mets decide that Herrera is the real deal, Murphy can become a trade chip but can they really make that decision with just 28 games left? It’s going to be a big risk either way but I’m trusting in Sandy to make the right decision…for now.
