Second baseman Daniel Murphy was the only All-Star for the New York Mets in 2014 and has been consistently solid over the past four seasons. However, it appears the team will not offer him a contract extension and instead let him hit free agency after the 2015 season.
A source within the Mets' organization told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com that the team doesn't have any in-season contract extension talks planned with Murphy. The fact that talks were nonexistent during the offseason further suggests a partnership beyond 2015 is unlikely, especially since the Mets have a number of middle infield prospects that are ready to hit the big leagues soon.
Murphy will make $8 million this upcoming season and if he has another good campaign it's likely he'll be due for another raise, which probably doesn't attract the Mets since their payroll is only about $90 million in one of the biggest markets in baseball. According to Marc Carig of Newsday, the Mets are also wary of making the 29-year-old a qualifying offer, which would be between $15-$16 million next offseason.
Is Murphy's possible departure paving the way for prospect Dilson Herrera?
It was also mentioned that shortstop Wilmer Flores and prospect Matt Reynolds could be candidates for the second base job after this year, but those two are primarily shortstops, while Herrera is a second baseman and played in 18 games for New York last season as a 20-year-old. He was called up after slashing .340/.406/.560/.967 with 50 runs scored, 10 home runs, 48 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 61 games at Double-A Binghamton. He played every game at second base with the Mets as Murphy was injured/moved to third because of the injuries to David Wright.
Here's what Baseball America has to say about Herrera in 2014, who is ranked as the team's No.3 prospect:
"Evaluators tagged him for average power and he has 51 extra-base hits this season among his 169 knocks, including 33 doubles. Just 5-foot-10, 150 pounds, Herrera generates his extra-base pop with super-quick hands and above-average bat speed, combined with an aggressive swing. Herrera uses his core and strong lower half to gain leverage and make hard contact."
We've seen how the Mets built their pitching staff through their farm system, so it won't be surprising if they do the same with their position players. Look for Herrera to get more time on the big league roster in 2015 and beyond.
