Collins: Murphy will get better
New York Mets' Daniel Murphy, right, is tagged out by Washington Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa as Murphy attempts to return to first base on a double play during the third inning. (July 31, 2011) Credit: AP
The numbers don't betray Daniel Murphy. His .320 average and .362 on-base percentage going into Tuesday night's game were some of the best on the Mets. His nine errors, though not negligible, aren't embarrassing for an everyday player. On paper and in the boxscores, he is a quintessential ballplayer.
When Terry Collins sat down to talk to reporters before the 4-3 loss to the Marlins, however, it became increasingly clear that it's not about what looks good on paper.
After a baserunning blunder Sunday against the Nationals and a botched play in the field Monday that possibly cost the Mets the game, there is growing concern that Murphy lacks enough baseball instincts and that his offensive assets are being overshadowed by his mental miscues. Murphy, who played third for the majority of his minor-league career, has, at times, looked overmatched and lost playing first base in place of the injured Ike Davis.
"I know there are flaws," Collins said. "Murphy is going to be a very, very good player. There's going to be a process where the experience comes into play and there are certain things that show up in a game where you can't teach and you just can't practice."
The decision to rest him Tuesday night was made before Monday's game, Collins said. Murphy pinch hit in the ninth inning and hit a comebacker into a double play.
Collins said he was not inclined to have rightfielder Lucas Duda and Murphy shift positions.
"The only other place Murphy could go is second," Collins said. "That means Justin [Turner] has to come out of the lineup. When Carlos [Beltran] was traded, we pretty much said Lucas was going to get the reps in rightfield, so I'm going to stand with that."
Murphy, for his part, reveals little. Hardly the most boisterous, he was reticent when asked if he preferred any one position ("No") or if frustration is becoming a factor.
"No, not at all," he said. But why not? "Because it's baseball. We're human beings . . . Mistakes are going to happen. You try to learn from them and hope they don't happen again."
Collins remains confident the instincts will come with experience for a player who, when he was once asked what position he played, responded, "I hit third."
"With each and every day, each and every thing that happens, I think he'll get better," Collins said. "Dan Murphy is a baseball junkie and he'll be better because of this."
The numbers don't betray Murphy and neither, it seems, does his manager.
