Dilson Herrera was promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas and was immediately inserted into Friday night’s lineup as the second baseman, shifting Daniel Murphy to third base for the time being?
The reason the Mets promoted Herrera, according to Sandy Alderson on Friday, was to attempt to improve the team’s middle infield defense in lieu of displacing Wilmer Flores at shortstop, to which there are currently no immediate options available.
The plan, according to Terry Collins on Friday, is to shift Murphy back to second base when David Wright is activated from the disabled list, which could mean Herrera will be optioned back to Triple-A Las Vegas.
But could that plan stick?
On Friday, I wondered if the Mets would consider re-pairing Murphy back with Flores as the middle infield combination up the middle, suggesting the experiment with Flores could come to an end if he does not show immediate improvement at shortstop.
He committed one throwing error on Friday night, and could have easily been charged with another.
Well, both Alderson and Collins said on Friday they remain committed to Flores at shortstop, and are not immediately seeking alternatives to him.
The fact remains unless the Mets shift the 40-man roster (which is currently full) and take a chance on another unproven commodity in Matt Reynolds, there really are no stable alternatives for the Mets to turn to in-house. The belief is that for now, Herrera is an upgrade defensively to Daniel Murphy at second base, which compounds the problem with Flores’ glove to a lesser degree.
Having said that, the Mets clearly realize the importance of their middle infield defense drastically improving. And according to Andy Martino of the Daily News, if Herrera shows he belongs in the short-term, the Mets would consider dealing Murphy now, even if it meant taking a lesser package in return for him.
During Spring Training, Murphy told reporters the Mets have not engaged his agents about the possibility of a new contract, although he said he would love to remain with the Mets beyond this year – he can be a free agent at the end of the season.
However, in talking with organizational people for well over a year now, there hasn’t been a single person who has mentioned Murphy’s name in the context of the future of second base for the Mets.
In the case of Herrera, Mets people have raved about him since acquiring him from the Pirates in August, 2013 in exchange for John Buck and Marlon Byrd. In a small sample late last summer, he showed the power, speed, and overall athleticism they are excited about, albeit he was a little raw.
On the flip side, while Murphy’s glove is problematic, he’s still an excellent hitter and a veteran, both of which are valuable to a team eying a big prize in 2015. He’s also a vocal leader on and off the field, which also has tremendous value specifically for a younger team like the Mets. Jettisoning those qualities from the roster could certainly have ill effects on their pursuit of a winner, and something they would have to seriously consider.
Then again, if Herrera plays like the star the Mets believe he can and will be, they can’t bury him in Triple-A, either.
Just Mets 
One response to “Dilson Herrera could stick at second base, but what about Daniel Murphy?”
It’s hard not to like Murph. I like him a lot and not just because of what he does on the field, but because of all he’s been through with the Mets. He’s been asked to change positions multiple times and gives 110% effort to do what is asked of him.
I would really like Murph to be part of the Mets potential run at the postseason, but should they consider trading Murph I think the A’s could be good potential trade partner. Not to mention they would be a great fit for Murph. The A’s like versatile players who can field multiple positions and he’d fit in well with the A’s attitude and style of play.
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