by Jared A. Eisenberg
When Daniel Murphy was called up in the beginning of August, Mets fans were still wondering why there was no move made to bring in a extra bat.
On July 6th, Ryan Church landed back on the DL for the second time this year with concussion like symptons. The Mets were finding it very difficult to put runs on the scoreboard with any consistancy without Church (.310 BA, 10HR, 36 RBI, 40 R). Using Marlon Anderson and Endy Chavez everyday was not working at all. While both are great bats to have off the bench in addition to Chavez’s defenese in late game situations, neither will fill the void missed by Church.
Daniel Murphy went to school at Jacksonville University and was the Mets 13th round pick in 2006. In AA this year Murphy’s stats were good, but nothing that would qualify him as an elite prospect. In 357 AB with the Binghamton Mets he sported a .308 BA, 13 HR, 67 RBI, 14 SB, 26 DBL’s. Not superstar numbers, but very efficient. He was then called up to AAA for one game and then he got the call that everyone dreams of while playing in the minor leagues….he is going to join the Mets to become a major leaguer.
Daniel Murphy’s natural position is 3B. There is one problem with that, the Mets have a guy there named David Wright. With Wright being one of the cornerstones of the franchise, Murphy would almost certainly not see any significant playing time there. So Daniel Murphy started playing 2B, trying to find a way up to the major leagues. On the day that he is called up, Daniel Murphy will be playing left field and nowhere in the infield. The reason for this is the Mets needed help in the corner outfields and this is where Daniel is going to play if he wants to stay with the club. Dreaming of this day for sometime, something tells me that when you get the call to come up, you will play wherever the teams needs you. Since being called up from the minors his defense has been efficient, but his bat is causing people to stop and check this guy out.
It is very difficult to say that a ballplayer that has been called to the big leagues is the real deal in his first 34 AB. In the beginning of his major league career Murphy is hitting .441, 8 R, 8 RBI, 2 HR. As a fan you can dream that one day your team ends up with a monster of a player out of nowhere and just continues to get better with age. Where this is usually not the reality, there is always hope in sports. He has a very patient eye at the plate with on OBP of .545 and each time he steps up to the plater he tries to not only give him an opportunity to see as many pitches as possible, but afford his teammates the same luxury. The more pitches you and your team can see, the better you are going to be each and every time you come to the plate. The Mets know that they have to score a ton a runs to win the division battling Florida and Philadelphia, both who have no problems putting runs on the board.
With Murphy’s shown ability at the plate and the favorable schedule, the Mets might be riding this rookie all the way to the post season. The NL East race is tight and I am strapped in for the ride to the finish.
The phillies have no problem putting runs on the board? They just got 2-hit andf scored 1 run…again. Their offense is pathetic.
I agree they may be slumping, but they are 3rd in the league in runs scored with 588 R. They were leading the Mets in that category for the entire season until last night. Realistically, you cannot count them out with Howard and Utley in the lineup.
I really looks like Utley isnt right. The only way this team wins this division is Utley and Howard catch fire. Rollins has been a HUGE dissapointment and Burrell has cooled off big time.
Sad when Jason Werth is now your most excting hitter to watch.
Jared, I will give you your pros if Murphy and Tatis lead this team to the playoffs. Something tells me the Mets are going to be crying for a corner OF soon though – just an opinion. If you can add a Sheffield for little to nada, you do it over Dan Murphy twice on Sunday. Murphy isnt going anywhere and at least you took a shot.
Gill, I hear you. The fact remains that all of us that love sports always have hope. There are reports of Ryan Church doing baseball related activities, whatever that may be. When and if he comes back, that would make up for not making any trades. As for Sheffield, you are playing russian roulette. He is old, injury prone and not producing in a really good lineup this year when he is out there. I for one would take Church over Sheffield.
I agree your playing russian roulette, but if you dont take a chance, your going into the playoffs taking a knife into a gun-fight.
Doesnt anyone want to take a chance on a guy who is a HOF’er and has a wrold series ring. I am telling you a change of scenry will do him wonders.
He hit .265 with 25 HR and 75 RBI last season and had a .378 OBP, I would certinly take those numbers.
I see what you are saying. $14 million next year is the big turn off and I would still take a healthy Ryan Church over Sheffield. That being said, it is a shot in the dark that Church comes back healthy. He played for the first time last night and went 1-3. It is a start and if he comes back he upgrades the lineup tremendously.
Could you imagine what Sheffield would do to the team’s chemistry? We don’t need that big ego on the team. Plus, when Church comes back (being optimistic here) I’d take a semi healthy him over Sheff any day.
As for taking a chance on Sheff, why isn’t anyone taking a chance on Bonds? Cause no one wants to deal with all the baggage that comes along with either of them.
The Mets look good as is, right now. Instead of worrying about the outfield, I’m more worried about the worn out bullpen.