After Daniel Murphy's heroics in Game 2 of the NLCS, rumors surfaced that the New York Mets do not plan to deal with him differently in the offseason. The second baseman was not (and still is not) expected to be a part of the team's future, but the Mets will at least try to get some value for him.
The latest rumors suggest they will present him with the MLB's qualifying offer in hopes of getting draft pick compensation for the veteran when he (likely) opts to sign a multi-year deal elsewhere.
"Indications are, the Mets now plan to extend a $15.8-million qualifying offer to Daniel Murphy following his spectacular postseason. But that doesn't necessarily mean their chances to keep him are any better," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. "This may well be a case of a team extending the offer so they can get the draft choice. While it's possible Mets could wind up keeping Murphy, that still seems unlikely. There are much cheaper alternatives -- Wilmer Flores and Dilson Herrera. Of course, the Mets will need a No. 3 hitter if, as expected, Murphy goes."
Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reported yesterday that although the Mets do not plan on keeping Murphy, they may still give him the qualifying offer because he's expected to garner a lot of interest on the open market this offseason.
David Schoenfield of ESPN speculates the Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers are among the MLB clubs most likely to make a run at Murphy.
The New York Yankees are also being mentioned in a various rumors due to their current situation at second base. They could also use more versatility in their infield due to the defensive concerns with third baseman Chase Headley, as Murphy is also capable of playing the hot corner.
The Mets are no longer one of those franchises willing to pay a player based on a hot run in the postseason, and being that they have cheaper options in Flores and Herrera it's clear Murphy will probably be elsewhere in 2016.
Flores, 24, batted .263/.295/.408 with 55 runs scored, 16 home runs and 59 RBIs in 137 games this season and Herrera, 21, got more MLB experience under his belt in 2015 when Murphy and David Wright were out with injuries.
If anything, expect the Mets to make a play for Yoenis Cespedes, who also may be out of their price range.
