Mets rumors: Mets expected to extend qualifying offer to Daniel Murphy

Following reports that the Mets were unlikely to re-sign Daniel Murphy, it now seems likely that the Mets will extend a qualifying offer to the hot-hitting second baseman. Should Murphy accept the offer, he would be under contract for the 2016 season at $15.8 million. If Murphy were to decline the offer and sign with another team as a free agent, the Mets would receive a compensation pick between the first and second round in the June draft.

Murphy has been a consistent presence for the Mets for over half a decade, playing in 903 games since 2008. In 3,619 plate appearances, Murphy has hit .288/.331/.424 with 62 home runs. He has saved his best for what might be his final season as a Met, hitting .281/.322/.449 with a career-high 14 home runs this year, but it has been his postseason play that has really endeared himself to Mets fans. In seven playoff games, Murphy has hit an absurd .357/.379/.929 with five home runs.

Whether or not the Mets ever had any interest in bringing back the 30-year-old second baseman, Murphy's torrid postseason play may have raised his prospective price tag, possibly increasing the likelihood that Murphy would turn down the Mets' qualifying offer.