The left-handed hitter might have been a good buy-low option for the Mets.
Outfielder David Murphy, who might have been a good fit for the Mets this winter, has signed a two-year deal with the Cleveland Indians. While an exact number hasn't yet been reported, the deal is apparently for "over $10 million."
Assuming the deal isn't wildly over that amount, it seems like a steal for Cleveland. Although Murphy had a terrible year at the plate in 2013—he hit .220/.282/.374—he's been a good hitter against right-handed pitching over the course of his career with a 113 wRC+. And the advanced metrics have liked his defense in the corners.
In a strict platoon with some late-inning innings on defense, Murphy could be a pretty great value, especially considering he likely signed for less than Marlon Byrd did with the Phillies. In our free agent profile of Murphy, Izzy Hechkoff saw him as a good option for the Mets.
Perhaps Murphy was never on Sandy Alderson's board in the first place, but fewer players on the market can't be good for the Mets.