Read: The Power Myth, Daniel Murphy and HR
In a blog post for the New York Times, Jim Luttrell explains why the Mets can live with Daniel Murphy, and his lack of power, at first base.
… this may or may not be true… i have no idea, and do not care… what i do know is the Mets need someone to hit a home run once in a while, because, when down 2–0, they cannot keep hoping for seven consecutive singles… i mean, at some point, someone needs to clear the bases…
The Mets are second in the National League in team batting average and triples; first in stolen bases; middle of the pack in doubles and OBP; and second with batting average in runners in scoring position; yet, they’re dead last in home runs and sixth-to-last in runs scored.
… in other words, sure, they can go 4 for 10 with runners in scoring position, but they’ll still lose the game 3 to 2, because nobody hit the ball over an outfielder’s head… what’s more, because there is no threat of a ball to the wall, outfielders are playing shallow and keeping runners from advancing from first to third…
…i know a full season of Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes will change all of that, and i am confident David Wright will return to form in 2009, but, Carlos Delgado’s power will still need to be replaced, and it will not come in the form of murphy…
By the way, Buster Olney of ESPN.com continues to say the Padres are unlikely to trade 1B Adrian Gonzalez, especially since San Diego is 32–21 during their last 53 games.
The 27-year-old Gonzalez will earn just $4.75 million in 2010, with a $5.5 million team option for 2011, after which he can be a free agent.
