New York Mets: Could second baseman Daniel Murphy return in 2019?

One of the biggest recent blunders made by the New York Mets was letting Daniel Murphy walk after the 2015 season. In 2019, the star second baseman is a free agent again. Could he return?

Many New York Mets fans remember Daniel Murphy best for his performance in the 2015 postseason. Murphy found his home run stroke early on in the playoffs, smacking seven home runs in nine games. By doing so, he helped get the Mets to the World Series for the first time in a decade and a half. When the season officially ended, so did his time with the Mets.

Murphy put on an amazing performance before reaching free agency. The terrific postseason helped land him a solid yet not bank-breaking three-year deal with the division rival Washington Nationals. Thus far, it has turned into a bargain for Washington.

In his first season with the Nationals, Murphy fell just shy of a batting title. This and some other statistics helped award him a second-place MVP finish. Although he wasn’t quite as amazing in 2017, Murphy still put together a stellar year worthy of envy.

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The good news for the Mets is that Murphy’s tenure with the Nationals could end soon. This is information is two-fold as Murphy has punished them regularly since departing Queens. The Nationals have some big financial commitments moving forward. Murphy may not fit into those plans.

When Murphy reaches free agency he’ll do so prior to his age 34 season. Normally, this is an age when players begin to break down. Murphy has shown no signs of falling apart with his two best seasons coming with the Nationals.

According to the offseason rumors, the Mets are currently in search of a second baseman for 2018. Murphy isn’t a possibility then but could become an option for the Mets the following year. If New York plans to contend as soon as 2019, perhaps they plug second base with a short-term option this upcoming season.

The Mets could always use Asdrubal Cabrera at second base this year and focus on finding a third baseman instead. The market for top free agent third basemen isn’t very deep, especially after the San Francisco Giants’ trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for Evan Longoria. This could lead to the Mets as a favorite to sign either Todd Frazier or Mike Moustakas.

One thing is clear with the New York Mets: they aren’t going to seriously compete in 2018. However, some smart moves may allow them to build a better club for the following year. In order to attract Murphy, they must act fast.

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The 2018-2019 free agent class will provide the Mets with more options than Murphy. Along with him, Brian Dozier and DJ LeMahieu hit the open market. So, even if they did plan to bring Murphy back and everything fell apart, they would have other players available.