Alex asks…
Do you think the Mets will trade Daniel Murphy before the trade deadline? It’s pretty clear they are not extending him. Let’s say the Mets go into July with a slim one game lead on the second wild card (I wish!) and Daniel Murphy is having another All Star season and in the top five in hits, doubles, and runs scored, would they still trade him? Or do they keep him and he walks at the end of the season leaving us with nothing to show for him? How should they play this?
Daniel replies…
I say Murphy will be traded at the deadline in an attempt to improve the roster or add farm depth, especially if he is an All-Star. His value has never been higher than it was at the All-Star break last year, a repeat performance would be a great second opportunity for the Mets to capitalize on a high return.
Even if Murphy is doing well, perhaps even a tick better than last year on both sides of the ball, with the Mets in the thick of it – I think the organization still treats it as a decision based on the long term instead of the short and opts to add depth on the farm or includes him as part of a trade to upgrade the current roster.
That being said, it all depends on the team’s position in the NL East and how the rest of the roster is playing at the time of the deadline. If the pitching staff manages to keep this team in the thick of it, but Murphy is yet again one of the few reliable hitters on an anemic offense, he would likely be retained and allowed to walk after the season.
Back to my original sentiments though, I think this offense will be more potent than critics are giving it credit for and Murphy will end up being one of the casualties of emerging farm growth.
Dilson Herrera has been projected as a future All-Star and already showed a ton of promise during his surprise call-up last year. He seems like a quick learner and under the tutelage of Wally Backman and George Greer, it’s highly likely he could be ready to compete at the major league level for a job by the All-Star break. Even if Herrera becomes part of a trade package, SS incumbent Wilmer Flores showed serious promise at second base in a brief stint last year that only deepens the talent at the position and increases the need to move Murphy’s salary (not that I care how many dollars the Mets save).
It’s a tough decision, but it’ll be a business decision at the end of the day, that’s for sure. Murphy, along with Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese (also facing the trade block) and David Wright, are the last Amazins to play in Shea Stadium. I suppose there’s always a sense of nostalgia when you consider that thought. He’s a hard worker, loves the fans, the city and has always made it known that his loyalties are with the NY Mets. For that, I hope Murphy has a great 2015 with this team and gets to enjoy a championship with the club, but if not, I still hope he enjoys continued success wherever the road leads him next.
Lets! Go! Mets!
