Will Mets Trade Daniel Murphy?
Yesterday Buster Olney suggested that Dan Murphy could be a fit for the Tampa Bay Rays, and that the Rays could have the young pitching that the Mets desire.
To be clear, this was not a rumor that Olney heard, but merely an idea that he proposed as realistically plausible. This isn’t the first theory focused on a trade of Murphy to another club; in fact there have been several this winter. But let’s consider this — would the Mets trade Daniel Murphy, and if they did, would they get a worthwhile return for him?
Right now could be the time that Murphy’s value is at an all-time peak — even with the questions surrounding his knee injury. Though his accident was freak, a sprained knee isn’t career-threatening, is unlikely to affect his swing, and though it may affect his running speed and mobility, those are not aspects of his game that others take into strong consideration when evaluating his overall value. At this moment, Murphy is a valuable asset because his contract is still cheap, he’s a few years away from free agency, and he just hit .320. with a .362 OBP. But what would a team like the Rays give up for Murphy? The name Wade Davis has been mentioned, and considering the Mets’ finances he could be a good fit as his salary remains fairly cheap in 2012 ($1.5M) and 2013 ($2.8M) before jumping to nearly $5M in 2014. But, that also makes Davis a hot commodity, so I’d assume a straight-up deal for Murphy is unlikely. Another pitcher mentioned is Jeff Niemann, who I believe has yet to have his arbitration hearing (can anyone confirm?) and may be rewarded with a salary near $3M — is that too rich for the cash-strapped Mets? It might be. If not Niemann or Davis, who else might the Rays part with in return for Murphy? I’m not too familiar with Tampa Bay’s personnel — what’s your suggestion?
On the other hand, if you believe Murphy can hit .320 (or higher) again, then maybe his peak value is later this year — i.e., at the July deadline.
Finally, there is the thought that Murphy — because of his being inexpensive and under team control — stays in Flushing, perhaps to slide over to 3B when/if David Wright is dealt. Not to mention, Murphy provides insurance against Ike Davis‘ return from injury (though, for both infield corners, the Mets also have Zach Lutz and Josh Satin waiting in the wings). And of course there is still the fantasy that Murphy can be a capable everyday Major League second baseman.
What say you? Will Murphy go or stay? If he’s traded, is Tampa Bay a realistic possibility? For whom? Or is there another landing spot that makes sense? Post your ideas in the comments.
Sandy did make one player related trade. he gave us the stiff Hu for a minor league pitcher. Based on his one “big” move, does anyone want him making more moves.
I wouldn’t go making mountains out of molehills. Save the outrage for when it’s really deserved.
2. No one really knows what the Mets will do with David Wright, or when they will do it. As the Wilpon’s economic picture get darker the pressure to trade Wright’s contract will also increase. Murphy is the “heir apparent” should Wright go, but as Mike T. said “I think I’d prefer the pitching if they can get it.”
Furthermore, there is zero logic in trading a young player who is a proven big-league hitter (Murph was 5th in the league at the time of his injury) for a pitcher who projects to no more than a mid-rotation journeyman.
The current trend among the sports-pundit class (which has begun to tire of merely ridiculing the Mets) is to progress the notion that they know how to “fix” the Mets, which generally means suggesting the Mets rid themselves of any player of value in exchange for any young player available. Any player at all. There’s no risk in it, of course, since their suggestions are never heeded.
I like the Irish Hammer and the intensity he brings, even without a position. Also, although runs scored was good in 2011, the Mets really need his offense with Reyes and Beltran gone. That said, if Tampa will trade Davis or Niemann straight up for Murph, they have to do it as the pitching need is too great and they are affordable, solid MLB arms, perhaps with some up side.
Wow are you kidding? Niemann and Davis put up those numbers in the AL EAST, and anyone who can pitch “mid rotation” is hardly a “journeyman”. Isn’t “mid rotation” a #3 starter? If they’re “journeymen” then what the heck do you call the Mets’ collection of #4s and #5s?
I’d trade Murphy for Davis or Niemann in a heartbeat, regardless of whatever “logic” you’re referring to.
As for B.J. Upton, overall he’s a good player, but I don’t think he’s good enough to justify adding a selfish underachiever to our mentally fragile team.
My target would be someone like Jeurys Familia. Good stuff, good K rate, uncertain command and secondary stuff, survived in AA, could yet boom or bust. If the Rays have someone like that, they could probably spare them.
He may also be unable to do more than one of the above at any given time, leaving him a barely average hitter at the few positions he can even kinda play, and please trade him now while he’s got value.
Which is it? I dunno. But I like the guy, and I like his attitude, so I’m much more inclined to believe the former (remaining upside) than I am with, say, Pelfrey.
Getting a guy like him for Murphy and other pieces would put some extra cash in the organizations pockets by way of ticket and jersey sales.
He would be a perfect replacement for Reyes at the top of the order and could fit as an everyday CF.
If not him why not go after Soriano who the Cubs would pay most of his salary and put him back at second base where he began his career and thrived.
1. Murphy’s value to the team depends on what happens with Wright and Reese Havens. If Havens deserves a callup and Wright is not traded Murphy is gone. If there is an open spot at 1B, 2B, or 3B for whatever reason Murphy stays.
2. If the team is at or above .500 and within 5 games of a playoff spot Wright is not traded.
3. If Duda hits well, but still sucks at OF defense, he will be traded to a team with a 1B/DH need.
I think those will be the only tradeable pieces this year, besides maybe a bullpen arm or two if we are really out of the race.