Just Mets

On Tuesday, Sandy Alderson said in San Diego the team wasn’t considering shifting the infield alignment around again as the club was concerned about the negativity which could ensue, and constant flux is not conducive for success.

48 hours later, the Mets are in fact shifting their infield alignment.

Daniel Murphy will start at third base, and will start at third base until David Wright returns, Terry Collins said from Phoenix on Thursday.

Collins said they considered shifting Wilmer Flores to third base, but ultimately decided moving Murphy to third was the better choice.

That doesn’t mean Flores will stay at shortstop – the club could eventually move him to third at some point in the future.

“Dan Murphy has proven he can play second base. But I also believe Dan Murphy is as good a third baseman as there is in this league,” Collins explained of the switch. “I’ve seen it in living color. I’ve seen this guy’s reactions. He’s got a strong arm. He’s got good hands. He’s got good reactions. So I feel very, very comfortable with him at third base. And I think we’re better off there.”

Murphy evidently volunteered to move to third base, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.

This was probably the move they should’ve made originally, although Tejada’s play at third base didn’t kill them outside of a hiccup last night. Murphy’s best position is third base, and Ruben Tejada has made a noble effort at third base, but is really not a third baseman.

In the end, it’s probably better to play with one person arguably out of position rather than three, especially on the infield with a pitching staff which mostly induces ground balls. Besides, if the team is planning on incorporating Dilson Herrera at second base, Murphy needs to move to third, anyway.