The All-Star second baseman is expected to be dealt this offseason.
New York Mets' second baseman Daniel Murphy is coming off an All-Star season, but his days in New York may be numbered, as ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin reports that Mets' team officials are heavily interested in trading Murphy this winter.
The 29-year-old Murphy is coming off a season in which he hit .289/.332/.403 with a 110 wRC+ and 2.8 WAR. He is a well above-average offensive second baseman, owning a 108 wRC+ for his career, but his defense is limited, as he cost the Mets roughly 11 runs in the field this year according to defensive runs saved.
Murphy made $5.7 million in 2014, and is eligible for arbitration for a final time this offseason. With just one year of club control remaining and an expected 2015 salary exceeding $8 million, Murphy has been deemed expendable by the organization. And while the club could still make a push to extend Murphy, the team has thus far had "no inclination to engage" in extension talks.
As Rubin notes, the Mets are looking for a power-hitting outfielder in a return package for Murphy. New York could also consider dealing Murphy at next summer's trade deadline, as the supply-and-demand would likely be more in their favor. However, the Mets expect to compete in 2015, which would make it difficult to justify dealing away an established part of their lineup in-season.
The Mets do have numerous options to replace Murphy. Wilmer Flores, Dilson Herrera, and Matt Reynolds are among the in-house choices. Flores and Herrera both spent time in the majors this season, while Reynolds, a 2012 second round selection, hit .343/.405/.454 in 543 plate appearances split between Double and Triple-A.