Mets roundtable discussion, part four: Should Daniel Murphy start at first base in 2010? - - NJ.com

Part four of the blogger Q&A from NJ.com. Nothing new from sizzlechest5. Here's today's question:

Could you live with Daniel Murphy starting at first base if the Mets sign Matt Holliday or Jason Bay to play left field? If not, what should the Mets do at first base?

about 2 years ago Eric Simon 72 comments 0 recs |

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Er yeah

apparently you have to shut this blog down immediately Eric, so bye everyone.

by deadspy3 on Nov 19, 2009 1:54 PM EST reply actions

Bummer, man

Well we had a good run.

by Eric Simon on Nov 19, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

I believe that you have to turn the blog keys over to this guy:

I’d rather see th Mets add Roy Halladay and Vernon Wells from Toronto (best way for us to add Halliday is to agree to take Wells and his big contract) Then add Pineiro. If possible then we try and pry away Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego.

Now that’s some analysis that joeyp can believe in!

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 19, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

And he does...

What a relief! this is the first time in 4 days Mets fans with actual analysis are chiming in. Please stick around guys! I’ve heard those vernon wells rumors, but his stats have fallen off the last couple of years, plus he had wrist surgery recently. The Jays would have to be forced to pick up part of his contract. The safer bet would be Bay. I’m not banking on Halladay, because you can only imagine what their asking price will be. I know, you’re thinking two-man pickup so that we have to eat Wells’ contract, but I don’t like that idea. Well, we’ll see what Minaya can do.

But who are we to comment. We’re just stupid bloggers who know nothing about baseball.

by The 'Ropolitans on Nov 19, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

We lack credentials.

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 19, 2009 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

I can arrange backstage pass.

by Michkin on Nov 19, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

I only want backseat passes.

If you know what I mean.

by The 'Ropolitans on Nov 19, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe that's why you lack credentials.

by Michkin on Nov 19, 2009 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

This guy is quality too:

“The idea is to field a winning BASEBALL TEAM not a rotary team.”
He’s got a point. Signing Mrs. Phelps to leave baskets with gift cards from local merchants for visiting clubs was not a good idea.

by The nye mets are my favorite team on Nov 19, 2009 8:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I’d keep him there. Yes we all know how much of a liability he was in the outfield. I dare say the worst outfielder i’ve seen on the Mets line-up in a very long time. But at first he showed improvement on his fielding and was not the giant hole he was out by the fence.
He is also a lot cheaper than Bay and Holliday. He can improve his hitting.

Keep the Irish Hammer at first. go after power outfielder and power pitcher

by the caveman on Nov 19, 2009 1:55 PM EST reply actions

Wouldn't Holliday or Bay be that power outfielder?

Not to mention the problem is it’s unlikely we can go after both.

by Gina on Nov 19, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

"He can improve his hitting"

Why should we assume that he can improve his hitting, but also assume it is set in stone that he couldn’t potentially improve as an outfielder?

by JoshNY on Nov 19, 2009 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

because it's way easier to remember every time he looked bad in the outfield

than every time he looked bad at the plate

"[The Giants] beat us down. We were beat by a grown-man team, a team we want to be like one day. They came in here and took it to us. Out-manned us, out-gunned us. ... It wasn't even close." - Raheem Morris, 9/27/09

by cjmulrain on Nov 19, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

Very brave to suggest that Delgado is a better option

If you were GM, what is the max contract you would offer to Delgado?

by TheBigStapler on Nov 19, 2009 2:03 PM EST reply actions

$1-2 million

by Eric Simon on Nov 19, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

You don't think

that Delgado would tell Omar to F off if he offered him $2 million?

You don't cheer for the Mets. You drink for the Mets.

by Kevin H on Nov 19, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

Who's going to offer much more in this market?

Hell, who’s even going to offer that.

by Gina on Nov 19, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe nobody

but he’d probably retire before taking $2 million

You don't cheer for the Mets. You drink for the Mets.

by Kevin H on Nov 19, 2009 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah I can understand that happening

But if a guys options are taking your deal or retiring do you really wanna overpay him to retire. All he can do is say no to the 1-2 million.

by Gina on Nov 19, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

I agree

he’s not worth offering more than $2 million. I just don’t think it’s realistic to get him for that little. I would think that at least one team would take a flyer on him for more than that, or he’d be too proud to take that much of a pay cut, and would just retire. If the Mets were able to bring him back cheaply, I’d be all for it though.

You don't cheer for the Mets. You drink for the Mets.

by Kevin H on Nov 19, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

does $2 mil include

bionic hips? then i’d do it, just for old time’s sake.

I.M. Forme
"When you get yourself into trouble is when you feel you have to do something, and then you get yourself in trouble." --Omar Minaya

by itsmetsforme on Nov 19, 2009 8:11 PM EST up reply actions

let him go

Delgado served us well. One of the few huge free agents the mets have signed that actually performed up to his salary i think. But that hip thing i’ve got a feeling will linger. He’s old and time for him to go. Let a younger guy step in and prove their worth.

by the caveman on Nov 19, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

He was actually acquired via trade

and was paid around $52 million for $34 million of production.

by Eric Simon on Nov 19, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

silly facts

by cjmulrain on Nov 19, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions

HAHAHAHAHHA

by MetsKnicksRutgers on Nov 19, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions

$34 million

per fangraphs.

by wobatus on Nov 19, 2009 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

I wonder if the mets front office even has any idea

What their long-term plan for Murphy is/what they expect his ceiling/floor to be.

by Gina on Nov 19, 2009 2:17 PM EST reply actions

Long term plan is:"Means-business-instructor". There is no floor, only potential to be 1B-of-the-future-until-Ike-is-ready.

by Michkin on Nov 19, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

I like Ike

but I find the him as our future answer to first base uninspiring. I’d wish they’d consider him a long-term answer to rf if they’re not going to invest in a big free agent back.

by Gina on Nov 19, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

I think he's slow

He might be able to get away with RF for a couple years, but will likely slow down as he gets older. You’re not optimistic that he has the potential to be at least an average 1st baseman?

by DoghouseBlues on Nov 19, 2009 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

I don't see

why he wouldn’t be able to fill in at RF though at times. Although slow, scouts have said he is athletic (sounds kinda contradictive though) but that can also be taken with a grain of salt. He also has a cannon though, so if we were shoved into LF like other guys who can’t patrol RF at citi (Frenchie) he could maybe be adequate. Just random thoughts

by MetsKnicksRutgers on Nov 19, 2009 3:20 PM EST up reply actions

It's not that

It’s that most reports said he was athletic enough and with a strong enough arm to play rf. And a guy with solid defense in rf and a bat good enough to be average at first base is more valuable than an average first basemen. And at least in theory the mets manage to mess simple things up though, a team with an average first basemen and an above average rf would do better than a team with an average first basemen and jeff franceour in rf.

by Gina on Nov 19, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

I meant to add

at least in theory it should be easier/cheaper to fill first base with an average player than rf with an above average one.

by Gina on Nov 19, 2009 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

Screw Murphy.

He at least plays baseball sometimes.

What the hell are they going to do with Nick Evans?

by The 'Ropolitans on Nov 19, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

I'm sure Jerry will find a new way to waste him

I still really like the Laroche/Evans idea at first with Murphy coming off the bench.

I know it won’t happen though.

by Bieser's Balk on Nov 19, 2009 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

LaRoche

Seldom discussed around here but I’m a fan.

by James Kannengieser on Nov 19, 2009 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

Laroche

Got several mentions here this summer. I posted a couple of times in June or July that the Mets should think about him to replace Delgado for the second half (knowing second half splits are usually bogus, but that guy is like clockwork, and damned if he wasn’t awesome again in the 2nd half). Most folks scoffed because of his war of words with beltran and fact he isn’t that good really over a full year, but yeah, he’s a decent platoon partner for Nick, although I think a year of Murph and Evans wouldn’t be so bad either if they can pick it up.

But the funniest thing I remember was the Laroches (someone said which one, Andy or Adam) coming up duing a game thread this summer and someone posting a pic of Chris Cooper in Orchid Thief

by wobatus on Nov 19, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions

Laroche got mentioned with Silva's source that the Mets were gonna get him

how did that one work out?

"We're investigating the investigative procedure of the investigation of Tony Bernazard"---Omar Minaya (he really didn't say it but he would"

by firejerrynow on Nov 19, 2009 6:51 PM EST up reply actions

Who is Nick Evans?

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 19, 2009 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

I can see why you don't remember him...

He doesn’t wear his grit on his sleeve

by Bieser's Balk on Nov 19, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions

He's the Mets bullpen catcher.

Oh yeah, I never put that footage on YouTube, I’ll have to dig that out.

by deadspy3 on Nov 19, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

I have now put this up on YouTube and made

it a fan shot

by deadspy3 on Nov 19, 2009 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

by The 'Ropolitans on Nov 19, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

Nicely done.

You’ve earned my Rec.

Beer is good! And stuff!

by R_Adragna on Nov 19, 2009 11:57 PM EST up reply actions

Should say

Cannot: Hit right handed pitching

You don't cheer for the Mets. You drink for the Mets.

by Kevin H on Nov 20, 2009 8:48 AM EST up reply actions

Nick who?

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Nov 19, 2009 3:32 PM EST up reply actions

Oh man, Eric, can you please add joeyp to the AA line-up

I need more of this analysis, not to mention the prose, on AA’s front page:

the number one issue facing the Mets is finding that one guy who’s going to say “get on my shoulders and ride me to the championship.”

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 19, 2009 2:52 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

That is

alarmingly sexual

by deadspy3 on Nov 19, 2009 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

Whoa...

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Nov 19, 2009 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

funny

I think that’s what David Wright says to girls he meets at the bar

by cjmulrain on Nov 19, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

well at least its better than

“It’s something that burns. It’s a bad feeling”

by Bieser's Balk on Nov 19, 2009 3:12 PM EST up reply actions

that's for girls he meets at

taco bell

I.M. Forme
"When you get yourself into trouble is when you feel you have to do something, and then you get yourself in trouble." --Omar Minaya

by itsmetsforme on Nov 19, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions

I completely agree with joeyp on this one

CPP, I’m rec’ing but please make sure joeyp gets the rec.

the number one issue facing the Mets is finding that one guy who’s going to say "get on my shoulders and ride me to the championship."

by Sokojoe on Nov 19, 2009 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

He shouldn't be too hard to find.

After all, he’s not in his basement reading spreadsheets and watching the game on computers like the rest of us. He’s out there watching the games, man.

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 19, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

Amazin Avenue as usual the voice of reason

Why would you live with a well below average 1st baseman just because you upgrade LF, espcially when there are so many affordable upgrades.

by DoghouseBlues on Nov 19, 2009 3:13 PM EST reply actions

affordable yes,

but i’d rather not block Ike. Laroche looks like he’ll get a multi-year and Johnson is way injury prone although 100 games from him would be much more valuable than 150 from Murphy. I’d be willing to offer Gado 3 mill with bout 5 in incentives

by MetsKnicksRutgers on Nov 19, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

joeyp2 is my new hero. He's my new idol.

I hope that website continues these opinion pieces indefinitely, just for the humor factor of the comments. I wonder if they know that we’re laughing at them, mostly, and not with them.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Nov 19, 2009 3:36 PM EST reply actions

Here's the best one (non-Joeyp category)

“Don’t get me wrong I love Daniel Murphy the kid has grit… something this pansey of a Met team desperately needs. This team is so full of prema-donnas they make the likes of Frank Thomas and Barry Bonds look like great team leaders”

I think Jon Gruden said the first line.

But I really love the premadonnas line — as opposed to Guy Ritchie, who’s now postmadonna

by Bieser's Balk on Nov 19, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

I lobby that website gets a regular feature for our entertainment

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Nov 19, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

Murphy wouldn't even be the starting first baseman on my beer leauge

by Scent of a Woman on Nov 19, 2009 3:56 PM EST reply actions

Yes he would.

Your name is liar because you’re telling lies right now.

"It's like the old phrase goes.....The balls in your court now Mr.Church, so you take that ball, you dribble it up the court and....................................... get a layup"
- Keith Hernandez

by nrmax88 on Nov 19, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

I'd take him. Fuck, if I can hit a two-year career average of .365, I'd take Murphy in a heartbeat.

He’s probably better at first than the two other people willing to play first, so…No more balls thrown into the trees of Prospect Park, hurray.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Nov 19, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

by itsmetsforme on Nov 19, 2009 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

Nah, he's going back to the AL

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!"

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Nov 19, 2009 9:28 PM EST up reply actions

Now I can't tell if joeyp is parody or not:

I have to admit, I don’t know much about [Halladay’s] personality. Is he an intense-type guy? If I had my choice, I would like my gritty leader to be in the starting 8, but 20 game winners sure have a way to make eveybody look great!

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 19, 2009 8:18 PM EST reply actions