According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, the Los Angeles Dodgers were close to acquiring New York Mets infielder Daniel Murphy during last week’s Winter Meetings. While the trade eventually fell through, Gurnick hears that the Dodgers may make another run at Murphy this winter. Along with the Dodgers, the Tigers, Blue Jays and Padres have all expressed interest in Murphy this offseason.
Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti told reporters that he was close to making a deal to upgrade his roster at the Winter Meetings. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, Colletti said that the trade fell through when the other club involved was able to “satisfy its need elsewhere without trading the player he wanted”.
The Mets made a flurry of moves last week to sure up the back end of their bullpen. Also during these moves, New York acquired center fielder Andres Torres from the Giants. Gurnick speculates that the Dodgers and Mets may have been discussing a deal involving Tony Gwynn Jr. for Murphy before New York partnered with San Francisco.
Gurnick says that Murphy fits the mold of the type of player the Dodgers have been seeking this winter, versatile and affordable. LA has already added free agents Jerry Hairston Jr. and Adam Kennedy this offseason.
Like Hairston Jr. and Kennedy, Murphy has the ability to play multiple positions. Since joining the Mets in 2008, Murphy has played first, second and third base as well as left field.
Murphy has also proven useful at the plate. The 26-year-old is a career .292/.343/.441 hitter and posted a line of .320/.362/.448 over his 109 games for the Mets in 2011.
Earlier this offseason it was reported that the Blue Jays, Padres and Tigers all had expressed interest in Murphy. Detroit especially coveted the versatile Murphy, as they reportedly view him as a replacement for Brandon Inge at third base.
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