Read: Murphy still Working, Chris Carter Cares
Daniel Murphy is batting .133 with one extra base hit in 30 at bats this spring.
Nevertheless, in this report for Newsday, David Lennon explains why Jerry Manuel is still confident Murphy can ‘get the job done for us.’
Murphy also talks to Lennon about his goals for the rest of camp, and getting comfortable.
That said, Chris Carter is working hard to make the roster, essentially competing with Murphy, Frank Catalanotto and Mike Jacobs.
In a must-read report on Carter for the Star-Ledger, Brian Costa writes:
While fielding grounders at first base, Carter heard a few Mets players joking around nearby. So, politely but firmly, the new guy asked his teammates to be quiet. “He’s like, ‘I’m working,’” left fielder Jason Bay said. “And I think a couple other guys were like, ‘You’re kidding, right?’” No, he wasn’t.
…i challenge you to read costa’s report, and not end up hoping carter makes the team over catalanotto and jacobs… it’s total emotional rhetoric, but it’s totally effective… of course, it helps knowing carter is probably more worthy of the final bench spot than jacobs, because he’s probably a better all around hitter…
In four seasons in Triple A, the 27–year-old Carter has a .304 average with 78 homers.
He’s batting .444 with five extra base hits and eight RBI in 18 at bats this spring.
In a post to his blog for ESPN, Rich Coutinho writes of Carter’s late push to make the roster.
“He is making a real bid that’s for sure,” Jerry Manuel said of Carter, who he calls the Animal, as quoted by Coutinho. “We have a spot for a pinch hitter that’s is open. His at bats have been very impressive and he is making a real case for himself. He is in the mix.”
