Y’know Spring Training is supposed to be a fun and exciting to watch. It’s also supposed to be a time when you really can’t get angry or upset because the games and stats don’t count.
That’s how I felt until yesterday’s press conference when Terry Collins announced that Daniel Murphy, aka “The Butcher”, was going to be the Opening Day Second Baseman.
That’s when the T.V. remote went flying across the room and I announced to the empty house I was sitting in that I just witnessed the first mistake of the 2012 season.
I’m tired of this story. Years ago I wrote about how the Mets were killing themselves putting Oliver Perez on the mound every fifth start. I hated Perez with every fiber of my soul and wrote about it every chance I could. I now again I find myself writing the same type of story -this time it’s about the incompetence of their second baseman. The only difference is: I like Daniel Murphy.
I love the way he approaches the game.
I love his work ethic
I love the way he hits.
And obviously so do the Mets.
But I don’t care whether is Tim Teufel or Roberto Alomar, no one can teach Murphy how to play second base at the major league level. I said it last year and I’ll say it again. Either Daniel Murphy is going to get hurt playing the position or he is going to hurt someone else due to his lack of baseball skills. He hurt himself last year being out of position around the bag- you think that a couple of weeks with Tueful is going to change that?
Hey, I hope I’m wrong.
But if you know baseball, and if your a Met fan so I know you do, than you know just as much as I do that this kid can’t play the infield!
Why is it that every year the Mets have to have an experiment going at one position?
I hope they have a back up.
Because the one from last year is now at Short Stop.
What do you think? Are you ready for another year of this?
11 comments
trs86
2/22/2012-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
Well his only value to the Mets is either at 2B or through trade. I guess they like his makeup enough to risk injury instead of trading him.
MetsFan4Decades
2/22/2012-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
SA did comment they hoped they didn’t sacrifice defense for the sake of offense. I can only assume he was talking about Murphy and Duda, although he didn’t mention names.
Since they don’t have a better option right now, I’m assuming if Murph is a defensive disaster by the time that becomes more than obvious one of either Havens or Valdespin will be ready.
Stick
2/22/2012-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
What they say now and what they actually do opening day don’t have to be the same thing. Just because the plan at the moment (I guess you could say the pre-camp depth chart) is that he will be playing 2B, I still think he has to earn (keep?) the job by proving he can do it.
if not, i want to see Havens just take the job and keep it for years to come.
NJstuckinTX
2/22/2012-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
Yes, slightly out of position, but criminal slides, both of them. I think he will be adequate at the position and will either be traded or be parked at 3B at some point.
Hopefully the blazing inferno of hits known as Havens makes Murph have to relearn the OF again…
Stick
2/22/2012-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
i got no proplem with Murphy as a bat off the bench, jack of many trades master of none.
kingman 26
2/22/2012-2:23pm at 2:23 pm (UTC -4)
I largely agree, as a guy who had his season ended by slides two straight years really should not be out there at 2B again.
And really, Murph is a 1-tool player. He hits for average, with some doubles thrown in.
No real power, few walks, zero speed and terrible instincts, no arm, and a mediocre fielder all over the place.
So, I think the Mets have him out there for his bat, but also because the fan base clearly likes him, and they will need all of that they can get this year.
But really, a guy like Murphy is not worth having as a starter unless he hits .320/.350+ with at least 12 HR and 40 doubles.
Every aspect of his game aside from hitting singles and doubles ranges from average to terrible.
darknova306
2/22/2012-3:16pm at 3:16 pm (UTC -4)
Completely agreed. I think people overrate the hell out of Murphy.
NJstuckinTX
2/22/2012-10:18pm at 10:18 pm (UTC -4)
Big Murph wants to have a chat with you.
oleosmirf
2/22/2012-5:31pm at 5:31 pm (UTC -4)
Murphy at 2B is the only logical move until Reese Havens arrives (which could be anywhere from April to never)
I’m sure he’ll slide over to 3B and 1B in favor of Turner, whenever Ike or Wright are out of the lineup…
Paul
2/22/2012-10:15pm at 10:15 pm (UTC -4)
Daniel Murphy will either figure out how to play an acceptable second base and be a valuable asset to the Mets, or he will hang on in the majors for a few years as a pinch-hitter who has a bunch of gloves in his locker to use as a last resort.
There’s not much to lose – who are your other second base options? Justin Turner is not a good fielder either, and he doesn’t hit as well as Murphy. Ronny Cedeno doesn’t hit at all. Reese Havens hasn’t played above Double-A and gets hurt more often than Murphy.
kingman 26
2/23/2012-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
Nah, if he can hit .320, he’ll have a long career, as a 1B or DH somewhere.