In New York last week, Jerry Manuel told reporters he would likely use Daniel Murphy at first base on this road trip.

He said the same thing to reporters a few days ago, as did Omar Minaya yesterday in a conference call.

Yet, despite what he keeps saying, Manuel repeatedly starts Jeremy Reed at first base instead.

Murphy is batting just .190 in his last 42 at bats, but he is also striking out less and walking more during that time.  In other words, he’s making contact, he’s just not getting hits.

Regardless, Murphy may or may not be a better defensive first baseman than Reed.  Who knows?  What I do know is that Reed is significantly better than Murphy on defense in left field.  So, by putting Reed at first and Murphy in left, Manuel is weakening his defense in two spots.  Whereas Murphy at first, and either Reed or Angel Pagan in left, he’s only weakening his defense in one spot, while keeping Murphy’s bat and attitude in the lineup.

In other words, Manuel has to start playing Murphy at first base, especially this weekend in Boston.  He cannot be challenged to learn the Green Monster, all while Reed has played 10 games in Fenway Park during his six-year career.

The other thing is, Manuel must also create a new sense of stability, which I believe will help quiet the mental mistakes and general confusion that has infected the defense and lineup.

Seriously, Manuel’s actions and words of one day seem to have no connection to his actions and words the next day.  This can have an affect on the team’s trust in him, but also can negatively impact how each player prepares for the next game, and reviews his mistakes from the past.

Please, let Murphy play the next 40 or so games at first base, during which the Mets play nine games in the American League where Manuel can also use the DH.

In July, the Mets will have a better read on where Carlos Delgado is in his rehab – it will also coincidence with the trade market heating up, allowing Minaya to make an educated and honest decision on whether to trade for a player like Jermaine Dye or Magglio Ordonez for left field, or a Nick Johnson or Aubrey Huff for first, or to keep his prospects altogether, or use them to acquire a pitcher instead.