Read: Daniel Murphy, Matt Franco and Mark Grace
Daniel Murphy has played in 158 games for the Mets, nearly a full season’s worth of game, while hitting .266 with nine HR, 76 strike outs, 55 RBI and 19 doubles.
…to me, this is a positive… i see a young hitter, who skipped Triple-A, who started hot, had to adjust to big-league pitchers who adjusted to him, and who has stabilized and is holding his own in a lineup with no support, on a team that cannot be easy to play for these days… but, i understand how some people see a guy who will always be a shade below what is necessary from a power position like first base…
In a report for the New York Times, Ben Shpigel explains, “With Delgado out, the Mets can play Murphy every day, continuing to evaluate how he fits - and even if he fits - into next year’s plans.”
Meanwhile, in a post to Mets Today, Joe Janish looks at The Murphy Myth, saying he may be more Matt Franco than Mark Grace.
“It’s time to start seeing Murphy for what he is, rather than placing unreasonable expectations upon him,” Janish concludes.
…first of all, i liked Mark Grace as a player, i can’t read his name and not think of the parody to the tune of Amazing Grace, which went, ‘Amazing Grace, he played first base.’…
…second, that’s a good range, Mr. Janish: franco and grace… because, grace’s typical line of .300, 12 HR, 50 strikeouts, and 80 RBI is probably murphy’s ceiling, though murph is not likely to ever win a Gold Glove to make up for the lack of punch… or, he’ll drift and end up being a franco type, i.e., .270 or so against right-handed pitching, but capable against lefties, mostly a bench player who is good at moving runners over, while eventually playing multiple infield positions…
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