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During a chat for ESPN.com, Keith Law had the following to say when asked about Daniel Murphy playing second base in the Arizona Fall League and if it was wishful thinking on the Mets part that he will show adequate range and hands for the position.
“He didn’t have a single moderately difficult play, so I can’t tell you whether it’s crazy or not. I’m skeptical of the plan, though. The OF->2b and 3b->2b conversions don’t often work out unless the guy was a fair shortstop to begin with.”
Later in the chat, Law was asked where do you think the Mets will draw the line on Oliver Perez, 6-years $80 million or 4-years $60 million? Law’s answer:
“No way I’d go 6 years with him. That would go into the worst contract of the offseason discussion.”
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New York Mets
Six-figure signings: 3B Aderlin Rodriguez, Dominican Republic, 16
Top Bonus: Rodriguez, $600,000
Summary: The Mets’ efforts in Latin America have produced promising early returns. Outfielder Fernando Martinez reached Double-A as an 18-year-old in 2007. Righthander Deolis Guerra was part of the package that netted Johan Santana in the off-season. And last year’s two top signings—Wilmer Flores and Jefry Marte—are two of the brightest rising teenage prospects in baseball. So it was a bit surprising that the Mets only made one six-figure expenditure in the last year in Latin America, though Rodriguez did receive a substantial bonus. Given the Mets’ recent track record of sending players like Flores, Marte and outfielder Cesar Puello to the U.S. in their first season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Mets skip Rodriguez over the DSL and have him start in Rookie-level Kingsport or the GCL in 2009.
It is really weird, especially since we’re desperately in need of talent. They didn’t go after the high ceiling talent in the draft, if they’re not doing it in the international game where do they plan on doing it.
Perhaps their scouts only liked this player…Its hard to speculate on decision making without knowing the rationale.
Given their s uccess in Latin American signings, I would give Omar the benefit of the doubt here….If there is nobody worth it, don’t bother.
What you should note though is that the quote from RYN only discusses Latin America. The Mets did sign a player from the Netherlands, and from Australia as well.
For OP? How about no years for zero?
Braves did a bit more in the international market:
Six-figure signings: LHP Carlos Perez, Dominican Republic, 16; OF Fredy Gamboa, Columbia, 16; RHP Ernesto Silva, Panama, 16; OF Hector Garcia, Columbia, OF, 16; RHP Wei Cheng Huang, Taiwan, 18; SS Fernando De Los Santos, Dominican Republic, 18; RHP Eduardo Castillo, Dominican Republic, 17; RHP Amabale Nin, Dominican Republic, 18; C Meng Hsiu Tsai, Taiwan, 18
NO PEREZ!!!!!!!NO PEREZ!!!!!!!NO PEREZ!!!!!!!NO PEREZ!!!!!!!NO PEREZ!!!!!!!NO PEREZ!!!!!!!NO PEREZ!!!!!!!
i’d give 33 million over 3 years. no more. maybe a 4th year option and/or an extra million per year if incentive goals are reached.
Boras would probably laugh at that.
I’m skeptical about Orlando Hudson and Murphy at 2B. Hudson could be good, but I have a strange gut feeling. We do seem to have trouble with second base - Roberto Alomar, Luis Castillo and Kaz Matsui all come to mind. Frankly, if we somehow could get Wigginton back for 2B, I’d be more comfortable with it. Murphy might be a really good hitter - the sample is too small. Him converting to 2B is a stretch. Although, it’s not impossible, but risky. And having him work on it now is investing a lot of energy in this kid - maybe in the wrong direction. Maybe he’s more suited to 1B. What is the deal - is he only supposedly a third baseman?
If the poll had a wait-and-see option, I’d have gone with wait-and-see. But there is next to no risk at all, as Murphy makes next to the league minimum, Castillo is well below average, and Orlando Hudson is not a show-stopper in any case.
“Roberto Alomar, Luis Castillo and Kaz Matsui all come to mind”
Gregg Jefferies, Jeff Can’t, Willie Randolph, Juan Samuel, Carlos Baerga come to mind too as playing below their career numbers here. And Jose Reyes for one injury-plagued season. Ugh.
Since Jefferies, Edgardo Alfonzo is the only homegrown starting 2bmen we’ve tried in the last 20 years, and amazingly, the only one not to bust. Let’s go with Murphy!
Alfonzo came up as a SS and was a plus glove at both corner and middle IF — a baseball rarity. No comparison to Murphy. I could be wrong about Murphy, but until he shows the range and footwork necessary for the position, I don’t see him as a viable option for 2B.
I agree - murphy is a 1B. The post about Wiggington is not bad- wouldn’t cost that much in $$$ or players. Don’t know if he is a free agent. Not long term fix but He would help there.
The Mets had last year for Mark Loretta but he ended up with the Cubs -again not a great 2B but sure would be better than who we have now.
Heresy alert:
I actually think that trading Murphy at this point might make sense. As determined as many bloggers are to buy players high and sell them low, this could be one case where we actually do the opposite.
I like Murphy; I just don’t see him filling a need for the Mets right now. I’m very skeptical of the transition to second, and we need more production from our corner OFers.
Plus: he could fetch real value on the trade market, esp. packaged with Evans or Niese.
I think trading him would be a bad move altogether, but what would you trade him for if you did? Give us a proposal.
trade murphy and evans for matt holliday. probably wouldnt work, but that wouldnt be a bad trade at all lol.
um…NO Chance
Yeah, lets trade Murphy, David Wright and Jose.
And Beltran and Delgado.
so, you want to trade a possible 300 hitter? the mets will find a position for him, in the outfield or 1B. you dont trade good homegrow players.
So domincan boy, you are saying he can put up O-dog numbers but from a position you expect power from? All while being a defensive liability?
You are right–can’t get enough of those guys. Oh yeah, we have Carp and Evans too.
if he cant handle 2B, put him in the oufield, he will get better playing everyday. if the mets trade delgado, you can put him at 1B. you never know, murphy can be a 300 avg, 20, 80-100 RBI guy.
more towards the 80 than the 100 on the rbi scale.
Is that what you really want out of LF? You are keeping him in the hopes he will be around average.
I just don’t see where that makes him untouchable this off season.
Look none of us can realistically come up with a hypothetical offer that would end up happening. IF and only IF there was a trade that could be made, involving Murphy and anyone else not in the team’s core - and that trade would land us a Holliday, or a Peavy, or some nice supreme superstar, I’m all for it.
But other than that, keep him. He’s looked good thus far and he has potential to improve, shore up his D wherever that may be, and be a good tough contributor for years to come in the organization he grew up with.
I’m not asking for a superstar. Just someone who could be the equivalent of Murphy at 2nd base…young, good, and cost controlled.
Trade young talent for whom we don’t have a spot in the field for young talent for whom we do.
DO NOT trade Murphy for league average veterans whom the team does not control cost wise.
DO NOT trade Murphy and the rest of the farm for a Matt Holiday, who’s a free agent after this season and who thus leaves you right back where you started.
DO NOT trade Murphy for a Victor Zambrano, for crying out loud!
Unless you can get a terrible catcher and a platoon-worthy rightfielder. Then you trade that good homegrown player every time. FOUR MORE YEARS!
hahahahaha
I would center a package with Murphy for Joakim Soria. That is someone we NEED!
I think you have to at least shop Murphy to see if you can find something that better fits this team. Murphy is not as good as he performed this season and was really exposed once he became an everyday player(hitting around .129 the last 8 games).
Yea i think the hype about murphy is a little to much for the short amount of time hes played. He might become a good player but if not, trading him now would be the best time to get something in return for him. He comes to the majors, hits .313. And wasnt he in double-A ball and then had a few games at triple A and then came to the majors and hit like he did? Dont tell me some general manager will show interest in murphy.
they will but not enough to give up something of optimum value without a centerpiece to go along with him. the sample size is such where he means a lot more to met fans than he will to another gm. we love him because he’s homegrown but to another gm, he may be just another midseason callup who had a nice run for a month.
I think the hype from mets fans is probably a lot bigger than the actual value surrounding any of them. Most scouting reports I’ve read on them think they can be solid major leaguers but nothing spectacular. I think we’d get more value keeping them and finding a place for them. it’s not like we don’t have enough holes for them to fill.
Keith Hernandez thinks he will be a 3 hitter. (Murphy) I trust his opinion. I wouldn’t trade a guy that will be a 3 hitter.
Murphy’s approach and swing reminds me of Don Mattingly. If I remember, Donnie started his career with a great opposite field approach with little power, but was a doubles machine. His power came with time and age. So did chronic back trouble, but…
I think he’s a piece worth keeping too, Mikey, limited sample size and all.
Yeah, definitely. A 22-23 year old kid with plate discipline and pitch recognition … who hits to all fields is worth keeping. Everyone wants to focus on power … but that will only develop later. Can’t trade this kid.
I think he should be moved to 1B-if we have picked up the option for delgado move him to the AL since his value will never be higher. Murphy is challenged in the OF - may work out at first. Delgado may be able to give you some decent talent back-maybe Oakland - H. Street/OF? Worth a shot-include heilman on the deal and see what is attracted back.
That gives Murphy a position he may excel at.
I think it would be a mistake to trade Murphy now, but if he performs at anywhere near his ‘08 level as a part-time OF-1B next year, teams will part with major talent to land him.
First off, I believe in holding onto our own players wherever possible and building from within. I just have grave doubts about Murphy’s fielding and his ability to hit with consistency from a corner OF position.
In a year, I think he’ll be the odd man out.
Who would I trade him for? Well, any of the names we’ve discussed: Holliday, Peavy, Ordonez, Soria (in package o