Brian Cashman Hints That Yankees Aren't Interested In Daniel Murphy
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's highly unlikely that Daniel Murphy will play for the Mets in 2016.
The same can be said for the Yankees, for that matter.
"I think if we're going to pursue something, we have two offensive-profile players already at that position," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said at the GM Meetings in regard to second base. "So I think if we did any changing there it would be seeking more balance of both sides of the ball."
Cashman was alluding to Rob Refsnyder and Dustin Ackley when he mentioned the Yankees' "two offensive-profile players."
Murphy is a strong hitter, but he's a liability defensively.
The Mets offered the free-agent infielder a $15.8 million qualifying offer last week, and he's expected to reject that and look for a long-term deal. If Murphy signs with another club, New York will receive a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds in next year's draft.
The 2014 All-Star broke into the majors with the Mets in 2008. He hit .281 with 14 home runs and 73 RBIs this past season. The left-handed hitter exploded in his first taste of the postseason, going 19-for-58 (.328) with seven home runs, 11 RBIs, 13 runs scored, two doubles, six walks and a stolen base.
He set a major league record by homering in six consecutive playoff games and was named the MVP of the NLCS after the Mets swept the Cubs to advance to the World Series.
The 30-year-old is a versatile fielder, though he's error-prone. In 2015 he played 69 games at second base, 42 games at third base and 17 games at first base. His defensive shortcomings were exposed in the Mets' five-game loss to the Royals in the Fall Classic.
He also has a reputation for making poor decisions on the basepaths.