Heading over to Mets-Nats, where we will have an afternoon of live-tweet goodness (follow @lohudmets) and postgame discussion. Just wanted to touch base on Daniel Murphy, who blew several double plays last night, and Lucas Duda, who missed a very catchable ball.
If both players fail to improve defensively, they still have a chance to be net positives for the Mets. Both have bats that profile well at their respective positions.
Duda would not appear to have much room for growth. He is not a fast man, and positioning can only do so much in the outfield. Murphy, however, has played an excellent first base, and the biggest difference between the two positions- that is, why most good defensive 1B would struggle at 2B- is a huge difference in range necessary. Well, Murphy clearly has the range to play the position.
Then there’s turning the double play. And obviously, that’s still a work in progress. But I would argue that turning it is a skill he can work on. Duda can’t give himself the ability to get to spot X on a fly ball faster, though he can work at the periphery (better jump, recognition, etc.).
All this is a way of saying: Mets have what they have in Duda. I think the jury is very much still out on Murphy.
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Murphy will eventually end up at third base, his most natural position, once the Mets admit that they’re not giving Wright a similar long term contract as Zimmerman recently got and they trade him for pitching.