The hero of the NLCS will most likely playing for a different team next season.

Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy turned down the Mets qualifying offer of $15,8 million dollars for a one year deal. This means that when Murphy signs with a new team, the Mets will receive a compensatory draft pick.

The Mets can still resign Murphy, but I doubt it will happen.

Lots of analysts think Murph will get a 4-5 year deal, at or above the $15 million dollar a year range.

Will the Mets miss Murphy? The answer is yes and no. They'll miss his bat, his lefty swing in the batting order and his batting average.

They WILL NOT miss his defense. Yes, the Mets would not have been in the World Series if not for Daniel, but his defense cost them at least one game while there. He's made some of the goofiest/unexplainable miscues I've seen on the diamond. I wrote a giant blog last year about why the Mets should trade Murphy, and a lot of the points I made back then still apply.

1. His defense is only going to get worse. MLB players don't miraculously get faster and more coordinated after the age of 30.

2. His power, which was on display in the NLCS, was SUCH an aberration that the Mets would have VASTLY overpaid for his past success.

3. I think the Mets have great options that are ready for the major leagues. Dilson Herrera, Gavin Cecchini and Matt Reynolds can all fill the spot at second. Then the Mets can take the money they save with Murphys contract and spend it elsewhere (Heyward please?)

Daniel Murphy deserves every penny he gets in free agency, and I'll miss him on the Mets. But there's always a time to move on, and now is that time.

Thanks for the memories, Murph! I hope you sign in the AL and you're an all star the rest of your career.

 

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