Murphy! Get on the Tools of Ignorance and get behind the dish!
I’m putting a fork in the Daniel Murphy Second Base Experiment. I thought that maybe the Experiments would end when Omar left but perhaps this might end them all once and for all. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again-this experiment does not work and it should be scrapped immediately. You all know why right? Because it’s only a matter of time before it gets real ugly and this past weekend was only a small taste of it.
Bottom line, I’d sacrifice offense any day of the week for kid who can pick go in the hole or turn a 4-6-3 double play. To hell with it, I’m agreeing with my fellow writer Rusty and putting Castillo as Second.
But let’s get to Murphy because everyone likes him and so do I-just not as a second baseman.
The purpose of this article is to find a position for Daniel Murphy. Let’s approach this logically. The outfield is completely off limits. He can’t judge a fly ball and is way too much of a liability. That leaves the infield and we all know that second, third, first and short are out and so I’m going to throw this out there as a crazy as it sounds and yet a last ditch effort to save this kid and keep him in baseball.
Catcher.
Jorge Posada was a second basemen who became a catcher, why can’t Murphy? His arm is strong, he’s definitely faster and he has the mind set to work at it in the minors. There is no reason why he can’t put on the Tools of Ignorance and get behind the dish. I think Murphy has the fortitude and with a little help, can get help calling a good game. You think I’m nuts right? Where would you put him? You like him at second? I can pick a high school senior off a good baseball team that can move better. And you know I’m right don’t you…
I say, leave Murphy in AAA and let him work on catching, what do the Mets have to lose?
They’ve experimented with everything else and IT HASN”T WORKED YET!
If this fails they can always try to make him a Lefty Specialist-I’m sure they’ll be a spot once Perez leaves.
38 comments
njstuckintx
3/14/2011-9:21am at 9:21 am (UTC -4)
Right now, the best option for the Mets is to take Murphy and ship him off to an AL team where he can play some 1B / 3B and DH from time to time.
And I don’t see where the 2B experiment has failed for him yet. He made a couple of errors, yes, but I don’t think we had expectations of Robbie Alomar-esque defense from Murph at 2B.
Castillo will prob be the starting 2B and there are 6 million sunk cost reasons for that.
And if the best Murph becomes is a great option off the bench as well as a sub for Wright and Ike and other positions in a pinch, then you take it for what it is.
Dirtysanchez
3/14/2011-9:35am at 9:35 am (UTC -4)
Unfortunately, I think Collins already said that he sees 2b as an “offensive position”, which gives murph a natural leg up on the competition.
The Mets are trying to make their version of Mark Derosa…thats all this boils down to. I dont think Murph will be the everyday 2bman but rather a super utility guy like they said they wanted. The real question is who is going to win the starting job. Has to be a combo of both offense and defense but slightly more defense
saltygary
3/14/2011-9:50am at 9:50 am (UTC -4)
I really haven’t had a chance to follow any games this spring… If I take everyone at their word and he can’t play defense, then should he even be considered a MLB player?
I feel bad for Castillo. He wants to play and his body won’t let him anymore and now he is going to get crushed by the fanbase. Who else is there to lash out against besides maybe Beltran? Fans won’t go after the kids or guys like Wright and Reyes. Everyone’s frustrations are going to funnel right to second.
kingman 26
3/14/2011-9:56am at 9:56 am (UTC -4)
I think Murph should be a super-sub like the others say.
He can pinch-hit, pinch-run for some guys, and play 1B, 2B, 3B, and LF in a pinch.
njstuckintx
3/14/2011-9:57am at 9:57 am (UTC -4)
And he’s cheap.
hazmet
3/14/2011-5:51pm at 5:51 pm (UTC -4)
Take the super part out and you’ve got a deal. Just plain sub.
TRS86
3/14/2011-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
Why is it that people expect Murphy to change positions to a spot he has never played and not commit errors?
By the way, remember most have written off this season anyway. Why not let Emaus and Murphy platoon and see what you have with them? OK, they cost us a game with an error. So what? 78 instead of 79 wins? I am willing to bet that if you platoon Murphy and Emaus at 2B that their combined WAR will be higher than Castillo’s.
Seriously, we are placing a kid at 2B with little experience and expecting him to look natural and not commit errors? And people think this town is ready for rebuilding mode?
njstuckintx
3/14/2011-10:12am at 10:12 am (UTC -4)
Go Big Murph!
Ceetar
3/14/2011-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
I agree with this. I mean, we knew he wasn’t a “Natural” at this. But he’s a hard worker and I think he’s capable of becoming barely passable at just about anything. (Catcher and pitching included if they really were going that route)
But will it happen halfway through Spring Training? No, probably not. But that doesn’t mean we should scrap the next three weeks of practice. It doesn’t mean he’ll get the job. It’s not even a given that he’ll make the team or that his bat is really worth anything.
there is a similar point in Moneyball. I’m drawing a blank on the guy’s name (Was it Scott hatteberg? might’ve been) he was a backup catcher with the Sox, but had hand surgery and couldn’t throw much anymore. Oakland picked him up (That’s what Moneyball is about afterall, charity cases) and converted him into a 1Bman. Even in April he said he was scared the ball would be hit at him, but with practice (and a good bench coach) he got better and more confident.
Not that that means anything really about Murphy, but sometimes it takes more than 2 weeks to learn a position.
kistics
3/14/2011-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
I agree. I don’t care if he commits an error in ST. If it takes entire ST and April for him to get comfortable, I’m okay with that too. I just think added contribution from his offense out-weighs his lack of contribution defensively.
IMO Terry needs to make a decision quickly, so that Murphy and Emaus can get their reps in as much as they can. I know Castillo has played okay this spring, but if you’re going to eventually cut him why not do it early.
oleosmirf
3/14/2011-4:21pm at 4:21 pm (UTC -4)
i agree with this 100% although I have no faith the Wilpons will sign off on cutting a guy they are already paying 6.25 mil when he is performing the best during ST.
hazmet
3/14/2011-6:51pm at 6:51 pm (UTC -4)
Especially whether we like it or not he’s winning the 2B competition.
stickguy
3/14/2011-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)
Murphy already has as much (or more) range than slappy. And at this point, I don’t even see slappy as a go that can go pick it in the hole. More like wave as the ball goes through the hole.
The DP stuff I still say gets overblown. There aren’t that many super tough (iow, out of the ordinary) DP opportunities in a game to make that the primary focus. will he botch a few? Maybe. Will he hit about 40 more doubles and 15 more HRs than Castillo? Absolutely.
the positioning is the easier part to deal with. That is mental, not physical. They have plenty of coaches, just spend a couple hours per day working on scenarios until it becomes 2nd nature. And tell Ike to yell at him to move if he is in the wrong spot! But again, how many wins can he possibly cost them by lining up wrong on a cut off throw?
I agree with TRS. murphy/emaus (or turner) splitting time, with Hu doing some defensive “closing”, will put up a significantly higher WAR than Luis playing every day. Castillo can’t even break into positive figures anymore. He is the definition of worthless. So what the hell, since so many people upset about it also think they won’t come close to 80 wins, why play the useless guy with no upside in his walk year? Take the learning curve growing pains instead.
stickguy
3/14/2011-12:09pm at 12:09 pm (UTC -4)
oh, the catcher idea is actually a good one. something to try if he ends up in the minors or in the off season, if 2B doesn’t work out!
I still would be happy to have Murphy on the bench as a super sub type, getting plenty of Abs. He has had some big PHs in his time here.
Mr North Jersey
3/14/2011-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
If I have to pick between another year of Castillo and Murphy I choose what’s behind curtain #3.
I don’t know if either of those two is what I want.
I would lean more to Murphy only because he is younger has shown more pop has what looks to be a great attitude. But I still have reservations on how good he can hit and I know he wont be winning any gold gloves at 2b so if he slumps and cant field I am going to puke.
It sucks all I can do is hope that Havens / Tejada have a good season and are called up if whoever gets the 2b job struggles and can finally hold down the position for the next 4 to 5 years.
stickguy
3/14/2011-1:39pm at 1:39 pm (UTC -4)
I just don’t think they need to give the job to Castillo just because the other guys floating around having proven that they deserve to get it. If that is really the case, scrap around and find another option to tide them over.
and really, they don’t have to pick 1 guy in ST and live with him the whole year. If it means mixing/matching a bit, so be it.
I do agree that right now, it seems that every option is just keeping the position warm until a “real” 2B option is ready to step in (Havens most likely). I will give him 3 weeks in April to get there, like Ike did!
stickguy
3/14/2011-2:56pm at 2:56 pm (UTC -4)
How about this for a scenario. The FO, being reasonably intelligent (though some in the blogsphere will not concede that point…) know that Castillo has no upside, will be mediocre at best, and the already riled fans will turn on them if he is on the opening day roster. But, since likely no one ever bites on a trade, they are willing to release him at the last minute.
But, instead of handing the job to one of the other guys (that haven’t looked like they deserve it), they wait for someone interesting to hit the end of ST waiver wire.
One guy that comes to mind (having just read the philly paper at lunch!) is Josh Barfield. Former top prospect, plays a good (OK? Pretty good?) 2B. Been limited the last few years, somewhat due to injuries. But still fairly young. In Phillies camp as a NR invite, and very possible he gets squeezed out in a numbers crunch.
And probably there are others like this. So, why not snag one late in ST when they are out there, and ditch Castillo then?
There really is no rule that says one of the 4/5 guys in camp has to get the job, or that if they all suck it has to go to Slappy McGimpington by default!
CaseStreet
3/14/2011-2:56pm at 2:56 pm (UTC -4)
The platoon will be interesting but I’m putting money on Tejada raking in AAA and starting at 2B next year. No reason Tejada can’t continue to improve with the bat, he’s too young.
Sorry, but I’d rather have a slick defender at 2B than an average hitter any day of the week.
Of course, Reyes will be back, too.
stickguy
3/14/2011-2:59pm at 2:59 pm (UTC -4)
actually, Havens will rake in AAA and be playing 2B sometime this year, certainly by next.
Tejada can’t be playing 2B, since he will be playing SS after Reyes leaves because they don’t have enough money to sign him.
Could work out, since likely havens and tejada get plenty of time together this year, learning to play MI together!
CaseStreet
3/14/2011-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
Blasphemy. Stop reading the papers.
njstuckintx
3/14/2011-3:16pm at 3:16 pm (UTC -4)
Would that make the entire starting lineup for 2012 home grown?
Pagan, Havens, Wright, Davis, Duda, Bay, Thole, Tejada. Bay counts as a homegrown, doesn’t he?
stickguy
3/14/2011-3:44pm at 3:44 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t count Bay, since he was not drafted by the Mets, and did not graduate from their system. He just kind of passed through! But pretty close, since every one of them played in the minors for the Mets before making it to MLB!
even if you take out tejada and put Reyes back in, still the same deal!
njstuckintx
3/14/2011-3:51pm at 3:51 pm (UTC -4)
OK, Bay traded away, Fmart in RF, Duda in LF.
Pretty amazing (or sad) depending on if someone pissed in your cornflakes or not, but for all that people destroyed the Mets organization, it keeps pumping out players. not Quite Hansens or Heywards, but they seem capable.
kingman 26
3/14/2011-3:56pm at 3:56 pm (UTC -4)
Well, let’s see these homegrown guys lead us to a finish better than 4th then we can see them get some respect!
njstuckintx
3/14/2011-3:56pm at 3:56 pm (UTC -4)
True enough. True enough.
stickguy
3/14/2011-4:06pm at 4:06 pm (UTC -4)
well, every system can pump out guys to play in MLB. The problem is, if you want to be really good (and have a nice run of big years) you need to get some of those studs.
You can always pick up an average/mediocre/filler guy from another teams farm if you run short, but good luck finding a cheap young stud on the open market!
hazmet
3/14/2011-5:56pm at 5:56 pm (UTC -4)
Question: If Delgado didn’t get hurt giving Murphy his only place to play in 2009 to get the 1 year of experience we keep holding in his favor would he even be in the discussion for a position on the team? I don’t think so. He would have been shipped back to the minors in 2009 and probably still be trying to find a position to play. I’m tired of fawning over Murphy nice guy or not. He should have learned to field a position than having the arrogance as a kid of saying “my position is hitter”. If he wants to learn second go do it in AAA. I’d rather have no hit Tejada at this point if it means getting rid of Luis.
kingman 26
3/14/2011-6:04pm at 6:04 pm (UTC -4)
Well, you sure make a strong case.
And it is not like he is Pujols or ARod or even Ike at the plate or anything.
For me personally, I feel like effort and hustle were lacking last year; that is why I root for Murph.
But you really make a lot of sense here; as usual.
metsfan4decades
3/14/2011-6:08pm at 6:08 pm (UTC -4)
I hear what you’re saying but isn’t this more the fault of the previous minors development team and not Murphy’s? Isn’t it their job to determine what position he’s best suited for and get him the playing time to make sure?
It’s not like he’s going to walk into the clubhouse and tell them ‘hey, I want to catch, can someone get me a catcher’s mitt?’
hazmet
3/14/2011-6:44pm at 6:44 pm (UTC -4)
Totally agree with you on his minor league development. I almost completed the last post with “he probably would have been left to develop as an outfielder in the minors and have been better off now.” So I hear ya on that point. But, he is about to be 26 in a couple of weeks, it’s not like he’s 22 or 23. Yeah he lost all last year but c’mon he’s 26, in his 1 year he hit .266 with 12 HR’s, and 63 RBI’s. His breakout year at Bing he hit .308 with 13 HR’s & 67 RBI’s. So what’s his ceiling at 26 without a position in the bigs:.285-.290, 15 HR’s & Maybe 80 RBI’s. Nice player but without a glove and over 25 I’ve seen enough. Let him learn 2B or whatever position of the year at Buffalo. Seriously, I think hearing give him a catcher’s mit has sent me over the edge. Like what did Thole ever do to deserve having to think Murph is now going to learn to catch. ey yi yi.
stickguy
3/14/2011-8:22pm at 8:22 pm (UTC -4)
well, in a perfect world, Murphy is a bench bat/ jack of all trades sort. Not a starter. Pagan too.
Of course, in a perfect world, there is no chance that Castillo could make the team either.
hazmet
3/14/2011-9:02pm at 9:02 pm (UTC -4)
Yup. I do like your perfect world scenario. I just keep coming back to the only guy I trust at second is Tejada, even though he’s not a hitter yet and who knows if he will be. I think I want to see me some Willie Harris at 2B now and try to have him outshine Luis to get Castillo out of here.
stickguy
3/14/2011-9:06pm at 9:06 pm (UTC -4)
right now, I would rather take the big picture view. Instead of tejada up, let him get some time at SS in AAA and work on the finer points of the game. They can get the same production most likely out of Luis Hernandez.
metsfan4decades
3/14/2011-5:56pm at 5:56 pm (UTC -4)
Over on MLBTR:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/03/amaro-phillies-are-maxed-out-rumors-are-bs.html#disqus_thread
Amaro: Phillies Are Maxed Out, Rumors Are “B.S.”
If Utley’s injury problems continue, I know where they can get a second baseman on the cheap.
stickguy
3/14/2011-8:24pm at 8:24 pm (UTC -4)
Like I commented over there, Amaro just needs to pick up the phone and make the call. any semi-warm, and the mets will ship castillo over and pick up the salary on him too.
hazmet
3/14/2011-7:24pm at 7:24 pm (UTC -4)
Look on the bright side at least our 2B battle for an incumbent isn’t as bad as the Yankee’s battle to fill out the back of their rotation. Jeez, Nova & Garcia are failing and Mitre & Joba have strained side muscles. Not sure if oblique or not. Bet they wish they had Young and Capuano competing for the back of their rotation. I guess now they’re hoping on Colon. Wow, ouch. Hey, cash we gotta Leftie available if you like.
stickguy
3/14/2011-8:25pm at 8:25 pm (UTC -4)
not as much as if the Phils do it, but man, the yankees completely falling apart at the seems would be a nice bonus for this year!
hazmet
3/14/2011-9:03pm at 9:03 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, it’s not looking to good over there but they always seem to come out smelling like roses. Here’s to hoping this year will be different.