Player Profile: Daniel Murphy

     Daniel Murphy has probably been the Mets most consistent hitter over the past few years. He was a third baseman in the minor leagues but there was a major blockade in the name of David Wright that wasn't going to allow Murphy to play there, so he played second base. Then in 2008 when he was coming up to the majors, Luis Castillo was playing second base. Murphy was then moved to left field. He looked horrible out in left field which was capped off by a horrible miss play when Johan Santana was on the mound. In 2010 he went down for the year with a knee injury and when he came back he was a man without a position. The Mets knew that he wasn't an outfielder so they played him at first, second and third. In 2012 he become the full time second baseman. People were skeptical about his defense but his bat made for him to be in the lineup. He kept practicing at second base so he could become an average defensive second baseman. For the most part he has been able to make the plays at second base that should be made.

     Daniel Murphy's numbers are what made the Mets find his position. Over the past six seasons his slash line is .290/.333/.419, eight home runs, 32 doubles, 55 RBI, 61 runs, and 9 stolen bases. At an estimated five million dollars for this season those numbers are a great value. There have been a lot of rumors of him being traded but I think he should be traded only if he could bring back great value and there was someone else with similar numbers.

     He projects for more of the same numbers this upcoming year. He will most likely hit .286-.292 with ten homers, 75 runs and 68 RBI and ten stolen bases. With his line drive swing he hits a lot of doubles especially in Citi field. If he winds up getting traded his greatest value will be as a DH who plays second base. He will probably bat second or sixth.

     Daniel Murphy is a very underrated player. After a lot of hard work he makes the plays that a second baseman is supposed and his bat helps an offense that struggles for runs. Although he will probably wind up being traded he has been a great piece to this team.