GimmeShelter Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 NYPOST Mets blog: PORT ST. LUCIE -- Jerry Manuel livened up a sleepy news conference once again today, casually mentioning that the planned left-field platoon of Daniel Murphy and Fernando Tatis is likely to be just Murphy instead. Not only that, but Manuel also said Ryan Church is not guaranteed the full-time starting job in right field after a concussion-marred 2008 season and could end up platooning with Tatis. And if that weren't enough, Manuel revealed that he thinks Murphy is a better hitter than Church, which means Murphy could bat ahead of Church in the lineup this season. Whew. Manuel said the left-hand hitting Murphy impressed him enough with his ability to hit lefties in a two-month audition last season to start the Murphy on a full-time basis in left. "I don't want him to get into a strictly platoon situation," Manuel said of Murphy. "I think he's a little better player than that. And with Church being a left-handed hitter, I kind of see Murphy being a better hitter right now at this time. So Tatis could [play in right field]. It all depends on how they're doing. If they're not getting hits, then they're not going to play - development or whatever. They've got to perform." Backing the statement up about Murphy getting most of the starts in left is Manuel's noticeable use of Tatis as the backup third baseman and first baseman so far in camp. Tatis has done very little work in the outfield during the first week. "I look at Tatis as, if you've got eight guys, he'd be the 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morrissey Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Interesting, why not make him earn the spot? What if he has a horrible spring? We're not talking about a player with much of a track record. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFuture Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 murph is a hitter, just need to see his defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adb280z Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I like it, I hate platoons with young players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeebers Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Interesting, why not make him earn the spot? What if he has a horrible spring? We're not talking about a player with much of a track record. Murphy looks like he's a hitter and lefties didn't really bother him last year in a limited opportunity, but Manuel did say, who ever hits will be in there, whether it be Church or Murphy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GimmeShelter Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Interesting, why not make him earn the spot? What if he has a horrible spring? We're not talking about a player with much of a track record. Manuel's words from the article. I kind of see Murphy being a better hitter right now at this time. So Tatis could [play in right field]. It all depends on how they're doing. If they're not getting hits, then they're not going to play - development or whatever. They've got to perform." If he doesn't hit he won't have the everyday job. If Manuel like's him and based on what the kid did last year, I see no issue with giving him a confidence boost by saying it's his job as of now. It's not like he hit .228 after being called up last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdropOFvenom Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I like. Saw no reason for Murphy to need a platoon anyways. Murphy hit .305/.363/.481 against Lefties in the minors last year, then hit .400/.462/.700 against them in the Majors (Granted this was only 12 PA). Tatis then brings the Right Handed Bat off the bench most games, helping to balance the bench. I'm not crazy over his take on Church, in that I feel he's needed Defensively out there in Citi Field. I don't mind giving him some games off against the Tougher Lefties out there, especially on the Road, but I don't think he needs a strict platoon situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Ryan Church I always liked-if over his concussions he should be the starter full time in right. Murphy has an idea at the plate- very rare for a young hitter-lets go younger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Jet Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Ryan Church I always liked-if over his concussions he should be the starter full time in right. Murphy has an idea at the plate- very rare for a young hitter-lets go younger. I wouldn't mind Church and Murphy manning the corner OF spots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Something that can be overlooked also is Church is a good defensive outfielder- can save runs that way also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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