All off season, the Mets were touting their left field platoon of Daniel Murphy and Fernando Tatis. Now, before any sort of spring training game, Jerry Manuel has tabbed the young Murphy as the starter in left, for now.Not only did Murphy get the starting nod, but it seems Ryan Church's job might not be a lock.
Via Adam Rubin:
"I kind of see Murphy being a little better hitter right now, so Tatis could go that way," Manuel said, referring to Tatis being used in right field against southpaws. "It all depends on how well they're doing. If they're not getting hits, they're not going to play."Bottom line: Murphy will be a starter, Church might have to split time with Tatis.
Putting the left handed Murphy in the field every day will keep the right handed Tatis on the bench. Tatis would be the only righty on the bench, save for anyone making a strong push during spring training.
It's a testament to Murphy's work ethic that before even an intrasquad game (first one today), Murphy has shown that he's a pure hitter and capable enough in the field to be an everyday LF. This nod must give Murphy a ton of confidence.
On the flip side, this might set off a red light for Church, who will stick around camp with Murphy, even when everyone else has already left.
Everything is not set in stone, so if someone is not hitting, they won't be playing. Simple as that.
Joel Sherman brings up a good point in his Hardball blog.
But what this also says to me is that Fernando Martinez is on the clock from the outset of the season and if the touted prospect ever stays healthy long enough to prove he is the real deal then Church's day as a Met are going to move toward extinction.So, for now, the Mets have Murphy in left, Church in right and Tatis back on the bench. This makes sense to me.