The Mets beat writers all had posts about Daniel Murphy recovering from his strained knee ligament in Florida, then going to Triple-A Buffalo when he comes off the disabled list. The plan is for Muphy to play first base immediately just to get some at-bats. Then they’re going to work with him on becoming a utility player.
The odd thing is that you don’t see many 25-year-old utility players out there. It’s usually older players that have been around for a while doing that job.
I wouldn’t be happy about it if I was Murphy. That really cuts into his earning potential. Utility players are typically the lowest paid players on a team. His long-term earning potential in the Major Leagues is cut significantly by being pigeon-holed as a utility player. I’m sure he seems himself differently than the Mets organization does.
If Murphy comes back to the bigs after transforming himself into a utility player, who’s roster spot is he going to take? Frank Catalanotto and Fernando Tatis would be the obvious players to go. They’ve both been rotting on the Mets bench in April. Catalanotto has 20 at-bats this season and Tatis has 29.
Does anyone really think he can play anywhere in the field other than first base? We’ve all seen what he can do in the field. He was an utter disaster in left field in 2009. And that’s putting it mildly. Expecting him to become a utility infielder that can hold his own in the field anywhere other than first is ridiculous.
This is the plan for a 25-year-old? Leave him rotting on the Mets bench. I really question this strategy. Frankly, I just don’t see a role for Murphy on this team. I think the Mets are trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. It’s not going to work.
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