The decision to leave Daniel Murphy at second base, after years of delay, to find out at last if he can play the position, died Thursday after little more than a week of raising my hopes.
Terry Collins said that if Ike Davis is forced to miss more than a couple of weeks, Murphy would be moved to first base. It was said in the context of refusing to move Lucas Duda under any circumstances from right field. Here’s Collins’ quote, courtesy of Adam Rubin:
“When we were concerned about the infection earlier in camp, immediately we started saying, ‘Hey, what are we going to do here if it’s a month?’ And, ‘What are we going to do if it’s two months?’” Collins said. “The thought was, ‘Hey, let’s leave Duda in right field. Let’s just leave him out there. We can put Murph over there because we’ve got middle infielders that we can play.’”
Sorry, I don’t follow.
Lucas Duda in right field, that I get. I am dubious that he can handle the position defensively, but if he’s going to, I understand. You leave him out there, rather than use him to fill a short-term problem at first base.
Which is, of course, exactly the reason to keep Daniel Murphy at second base.
Add in the reality that Duda’s bat probably will play at first base as well as right field, while Murphy’s only real chance to be a regular is at either second base or third base, and the thought process becomes entirely perplexing. I feel like the LEAVE BRITNEY SPEAKRS ALONE lady.
The Mets have Daniel Murphy at second base. Their manager has identified precisely the reason a young player learning a new position ought to stay at that position. This really shouldn’t be so difficult, people. LEAVE DANIEL MURPHY ALONE!
5 Comments
Just as a point of reference.. the “leave britney alone” video was a dude, albeit an effeminate one.
Re-arranging the dining room seatings on the Titanic. With this dismal pitching staff and defense, the Mets will need to average 8 runs a game just to finish at .450.
Completely agree. If there long term goal is to have Murphy get comfortable at second, why would they break there stride and lose what they are gaining daily.
Maybe their is a method to there madness. There trying to do the best they can with what’s their. Their has to be a weigh.
Now Ike’s got Dengi fever. Probably from playing with all these Dengis. Time to find Delgado somewhere in his hammock down in Vieques bombing range.