The future of Daniel Murphy

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm starting to wonder if this pathetic offense that the Mets have might actually make it more likely that Daniel Murphy will return in 2016. I had gone into this season certain that this was going to be his last year as a Met, but now, suddenly, I'm less sure of that.

Might they at least roll the dice and make him the $15 million qualifying offer?

[Lefty Specialist]

I think a lot depends on Wright's health, both long- and short-term.

He starts playing in simulated games by the end of July, Murph's gone. If there's no progress, Murph stays till the end of the year. I don't think they'll give him a QO, though. They'll probably try a Cuddyer-like deal (2/20) and if he balks, he walks.

Understand that he's a guy without a position who hits fairly well but with no power, not a lot of walks and is prone to brain farts both offensively and defensively. The demand for him may not be as big as you might think.

[batmagadanleadoff]

As if it isn't difficult enough trying to predict a team's future moves from where we sit, it's exponentially tougher with this furshlugginer impoverished organization running its operations with their shoelaces tied together.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Muffy's a goner. Only circumstances have allowed him to get this far into the year, and he sure ain't worth $15 mills.

[Ceetar]

I'm sticking to them offering him the QO and him walking, as EVERY free agent does.

[Gwreck]

Murphy WAR:

2009: 1.6
2011: 3.0
2012: 1.5
2013: 1.8
2014: 1.9

That's a good bench player. Not a starter, and certainly nowhere near $15 million. I wouldn't risk the qualifying offer.

[nymr83]

Ceetar wrote: I'm sticking to them offering him the QO and him walking, as EVERY free agent does.

Or he learns the lesson of Stephen Drew and accepts it? The problem is unless you are a great player most teams won't sign you with the draft pick attached. Unless you are the Mets, then you sign Cuddyer who already looks like a mistake.

I don't think Murphy, with the pick attached, is worth more than the $15 million offer.

But for the Mets the 1-year nature of that contract could be appealing even if its more per year than he would get on the market.

[Guest d'Kong76]

I doubt the team planned to even have him around the whole
year this year... no way they commit (or offer to commit) to
him again. I hope. Nothing personal.

OE: of course if they'd show us the plan, we might be able to
forecast things easier...

[Benjamin Grimm]

Nymr83 wrote: But for the Mets the 1-year nature of that contract could be appealing even if its more per year than he would get on the market.

That's kind of what I'm thinking.

[Gwreck]

Wait, what exactly about Murphy is "appealing?" The stupid errors on the basepaths, the mediocre defense, or the fact that he's only marginally better than the minor-league players in the lineup now?

Murphy was a valuable player when he was being paid $500k a year. He's definitely overpaid now at $8M, he's on the wrong side of 30 and he's already had injury problems this year. There's no possible justification for bringing him back.

[Frayed Knot]

Ceetar wrote: I'm sticking to them offering him the QO and him walking, as EVERY free agent does.

The reason FAs who receive qualifying offers walk is that they know they can get better deals on the open market. Those who can't never see the offer.

[Edgy MD]

Gwreck wrote: Wait, what exactly about Murphy is "appealing?" The stupid errors on the basepaths, the mediocre defense, or the fact that he's only marginally better than the minor-league players in the lineup now? Murphy was a valuable player when he was being paid $500k a year. He's definitely overpaid now at $8M, he's on the wrong side of 30 and he's already had injury problems this year. There's no possible justification for bringing him back.

You left out his phantom tagging.

To be fair, what exactly about anybody is appealing? There's about a dozen scary hitters left in this pitching-dominant era, and 30 teams have to find a way to make up their lineups with what's left.

[Gwreck]

Edgy MD wrote: There's about a dozen scary hitters left in this pitching-dominant era, and 30 teams have to find a way to make up their lineups with what's left.

Fair point. They should go acquire one or more of those hitters. The cash saved by not paying Murphy will help; we can certainly find another marginal player at a much lower cost if we need to replace Murphy.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Gwreck wrote: Murphy WAR: 2009: 1.6 2011: 3.0 2012: 1.5 2013: 1.8 2014: 1.9 That's a good bench player. Not a starter, and certainly nowhere near $15 million. I wouldn't risk the qualifying offer.

On the current Mets offense that is practically superstar status. Still, as desperate as the Mets are for offense, Murphy is not nearly worth $15 M./year.