With the Mets’ hitting woes continuing on Tuesday night, does it make sense to extend Murphy a qualifying offer during the offseason?
Murphy has been one of the team’s most consistent and reliable hitters throughout his career. Over the past two years, he’s hitting .287 with a .734 OPS and 13 home runs in 198 games.
“He’s a huge part of our lineup,” Collins said before the game. (Ken Davidoff, NY Post)
Despite Murphy’s contributions, the team currently has no plans to extend him past this season.
Dilson Herrera was expected to his successor, but it’s clear that he needs more time to develop in the minors. Herrera was batting .195 in 82 At-bats before being recently demoted.
Murphy’s shortcomings are well known, but have the Mets been taking his skills for granted?
They absolutely missed his presence in the lineup after he landed on the disabled list on June 5th with a quad injury. New York’s lineup sunk to new lows, and his replacements, Eric Campbell and Herrera, struggled mightily to produce.
Obviously, a $16 million dollar qualifying offer for one year is to too expensive, but what about offering Murphy a two year $16 Million extension?
There’s no harm in trying to keep a dedicated and consistent veteran on the roster like Murphy. The lineup needs all the help it can get, so letting Murphy walk seems like a step in the wrong direction.
