October 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy (28) hits a two run home run in the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs in game four of the NLCS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy is bracing for the realistic possibility that 2015 was his swan song in New York.
Murphy, 30, who batted third in manager Terry Collins’ lineup, and cleanup hitter Yoenis Cespedes are free agents.
It’s possible the Mets, who advanced to the World Series on the strength of Murphy and their young starting pitching, will field a lineup with three or four new starters in 2016.
Murphy hit seven home runs in the playoffs and set a record with homers in six games in a row, but was just 3 for 20 in the World Series and made a critical error to contribute to the Game 4 rally by the Kansas City Royals.
The Mets are reportedly prepared to offer Murphy a qualifying offer, but at 30, the lure of a multi-year deal is likely to trump the $15.8 million one-year contract.
–Don Mattingly was introduced as the 14th manager in Miami Marlins franchise history — including eight skippers, counting interims, since 2010.
Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said he is confident Mattingly will be the team’s “long-term solution.”
The 54-year-old Mattingly and the Los Angeles Dodgers parted ways after the playoff loss to the New York Mets. The Dodgers won the National League West for the third time in his five seasons with the team.
Mattingly signed four-year deal after agreeing last week to become the Marlins’ new manager.
“I plan on being here at least 10,” Mattingly said at Monday’s news conference.
–New Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro was formally introduced, and during the news conference at Rogers Centre he named Tony LaCava as the team’s interim general manager.
The Blue Jays hired Shapiro, the former Cleveland Indians general manager, on Aug. 31 to replace Paul Beeston as of Nov. 1. Beeston retired after 31 years with the Blue Jays.
–The St. Louis Cardinals exercised the 2016 club option on left-hander Jaime Garcia.
By picking up the option, the Cardinals will pay Garcia $11.5 million next season, rather than a $500,000 buyout. The club also holds a separate $12 million option (with $500,000 buyout) for 2017.
Garcia, 29, was 10-6 with a 2.43 ERA in his 20 starts in 2015,
The Cardinals declined their 2016 club option on right-hander Jonathan Broxton. They also announced that infielder Pete Kozma and catchers Ed Easley and Travis Tartamella were outrighted off the team’s 40-man major league roster.
