All kidding aside, anywhere Murphy is besides the batter box is a nightmare. Sometimes, the way he plays first base I’m convinced that he’s either going to get hurt or hurt someone else. Yea I understand that this kid could really hit but the Mets have a real problem here. What’s going to happen when Ike Davis comes off the DL? Where are the Mets going to put Murphy? I hope they’re not considering second base because that would be a big mistake.
The Butcher, as I have named Murphy, seems to make an error either on the base pads or playing defense at least once every three games.
The last two have been back to back and you could make the argument that it cost the Mets both games.
I understand that playing first base is a position that sometimes requires very little thought, the ball gets hit to the shortstop and Murphy puts his glove out. But when David Wright is having some problems slinging that ball across the diamond and Murphy has an issue catching it after it bounces TWICE to get to him(during the last Marlin series), I think maybe Murphy should come off the bench and just hit for the pitcher. Let’s not mention the time when he almost hurt himself or Izzy when he misplayed a grounder and dove into first base.
I think the problem is simple: the Mets like Murphy- everyone likes Murphy but Murphy can’t play the field. Like Kieth Hernandez said last night, Murphy has no “baseball instincts” and it’s going to cost the Mets some games.
I just don’t want to see Murphy taking Justine Turner’s spot at second base. I like Turner and he can play.
Thoughts?
And by the way, I’m referring to Dan Murphy as the Butcher from this point on.
11 comments
Anonymous
8/2/2011-1:00pm at 1:00 pm (UTC -4)
Go Big Murph (patent pending) has the 3rd best batting average in the league. On a team that no longer has Beltran, has Bay (insert whatever joke you deem appropriate here), has the Regressed Pagan, “Mr. Longball” Thole and Turner (who isn’t really hitting like a champ these last few weeks), there is absolutely no way you can put Murph’s bat on the bench.
If Ike isn’t damaged, Murph would be playing 2B close to most days. When Ike comes back, you move Murph to 2B. I actually think you’ll limit the defensive impact he has on the game with him at 2B vs 1B. Turner is a nice guy and has done well, but I am not convinced he is an everyday player. Barring Murph learning how to catch, I can’t see any other place for the young lad to play… unless you want to get silly and trade Wright away for King Felix and shift Murph over to 3B. That was a joke people, remain calm.
And Murph’s play last night, while it was bonehead-esque, did not cost the team the game. That I lay on Izzy, and his “I’m not hurt” act and then letting up hit after hit and then the infamous bomb. Yeah, if Murph throws to Turner and then Turner gets the guy out, 1B would have been open, they probably walk Stanton and then… Who knows. Maybe the next guy strikes out like Izzy did, or maybe he’s pitched to differently because the bases are loaded. Either way, if that guy ran the bases right in the first place, it still would have been bases loaded with Stanton at the plate.
Adam "Prismo"
8/2/2011-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
While you certainly can’t say Murphy completely cost the game (Izzy game up the hits, and even if the play was made – it was still a tied game the Mets would have to find a way to win), he significantly contributed to the Mets downfall last night. Moreso, it seems like we’re seeing a boneheaded play for Murphy almost every game. He’s just so much more suited to be a DH…
Anonymous
8/2/2011-1:25pm at 1:25 pm (UTC -4)
2B and give him a tutor.
Adam "Prismo"
8/2/2011-3:55pm at 3:55 pm (UTC -4)
I agree with Ojeda, you can’t teach someone basic baseball instincts. It’s futile.
Anonymous
8/2/2011-4:02pm at 4:02 pm (UTC -4)
every player is a package. most have some flaws. You just do the best you can to work around them, and decide if the overall result is worth living with the flaws.
And at least at 2B, his bat could be well above average, making it easier to live with an occasional adventure in the field!
Adam "Prismo"
8/2/2011-4:04pm at 4:04 pm (UTC -4)
Occasional, huh? Seems like it happens at least once per game.
Anonymous
8/2/2011-4:59pm at 4:59 pm (UTC -4)
unfortunately without much home run power, he has little value as a trade candidate to an American League team as a DH.
Murph reminds me a lot of Gregg Jeffries who learned to play passably at a couple of positions. Right now I have him penciled in at 2B for next season unless the Mets decide to move Ike and his mystery foot to RF.
Adam "Prismo"
8/2/2011-6:29pm at 6:29 pm (UTC -4)
Murphy’s line this year: .320/.362/.451
Average DH Hitter’s line: .264/.329/.442
To me, that shows that Murphy has incredible value as a DH, where he would clearly be an above average player at the “position.”
Anonymous
8/2/2011-6:54pm at 6:54 pm (UTC -4)
He’d be fine as a DH, for sure. But most teams search for the prototype. A big reason those numbers are what they are right now is because prototype guys like Guerrero and Dunn have been horrible.
Won’t stop teams from going that route, though.
In any event. Murphy’s numbers might be inflated right now while he’s on one of his streaks. I hope they look this way at the end of September.
Anonymous
8/2/2011-7:05pm at 7:05 pm (UTC -4)
I think Murphs eventual and best use is going to be super sub/bench guy. He’s too cheap to trade away and he doesn’t have the power that the traditional DH types have. So, I’m not sure anyone would pay a decent amount to acquire him. Hence, he’ll be the swiss army knife on this team. Kevin Mitchel, circa 1986, minus the anger, badassed-ness and power. So, re-reading that, he’s probably nothing like Mr. Mitchell.
Anonymous
8/2/2011-10:33pm at 10:33 pm (UTC -4)
Didn’t Dave DeButcher play for the Knicks?