Offseason rumors suggested the New York Mets and infielder Daniel Murphy would not engage in contract extension talks during the year. It was also speculated the team would not present Murphy with a qualifying offer after the 2015 season when he becomes a free agent.
And despite his stellar postseason that's carried the team and has them up two games on the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS, rumors indicate the Mets' plans will remain the same with the veteran infielder.
"Two team sources said again Sunday that Murphy, despite his postseason heroics, is not in Mets' future plans," writes Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News.
"'He's been great, really great, one source said, 'but it changes nothing.'
"It actually could change what kind of deal he could get on the open market, but the Mets seem set on going in a different direction."
Murphy, 30, is earning himself a lot more money as he gets closer to free agency. He's batting .333/.333/.810 with five runs scored, three home runs and five RBIs in five postseason games. He had 14 home runs in 130 regular season games.
Ackert noted that the Mets are confident in prospect Dilson Herrera, who made his MLB debut in 2014 and followed that up with 31 games this year, to become their future second baseman beginning in 2016. If that's not the case right away then shortstop Wilmer Flores could play the position until Herrera is ready.
However, depending on the team's offseason plans with Yoenis Cespedes, there's still a chance Murphy gets the qualifying offer. It's all contingent on whether or not New York will make a big push for the in-demand outfielder.
"The Mets have long seemed content to let Murphy leave, have Wilmer Flores, Dilson Herrera or Matt Reynolds cheaply assume second and not even extend the $15.8 million qualifying offer to recoup a draft pick if he signs elsewhere," writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. "But if the Mets have also come to believe Murphy will get at least a [Chase] Headley-esque contract (four-years and $52 million), then they must qualify him because, at worst, he would be valuable as a one-year, $15.8 million player for 2016 if he accepts the offer. More likely, he would refuse because he knows there is a market for him and the Mets get the pick."
Murphy batted .281/.322/.449 with 56 runs, 14 home runs and 73 RBIs this season and will likely have many suitors on the market.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Mets' offseason plans in the next month or so.
