Plan A is still Jose Reyes, but the Mets already have formulated Plan B.
If Reyes is not re-signed, the Mets may try to compensate for that loss of offense by attempting to make Daniel Murphy the full-time second baseman, according to an organizational source.
Murphy, whose 2011 season ended with a strained MCL sustained while playing second base, would have a chance to team with shortstop Ruben Tejada as the Mets’ new double-play combination.
“If Jose leaves, we’re going to have to see if Murphy can play second base on a regular basis,” the source said. “We’re going to need that offense.”
It’s clearly not a perfect scenario, given that Murphy struggled defensively adapting to the position last year before moving mostly to first base after Ike Davis was injured. Murphy hit .320 with six homers and 49 RBIs in 391 at-bats.
But he was playing second base on Aug. 7 when the Braves’ Jose Constanza slid into his left knee as Murphy covered the bag. A year earlier, he tore a ligament in his right knee while playing second base for Triple-A Buffalo.
If Reyes were to re-sign, Tejada would likely see most of the action at second, with Murphy used in a utility role that could include occasional turns in the outfield.
The organization still values Justin Turner, who spent most of last season as the starting second baseman. Regardless of what happens with Reyes, it seems the Mets are ready to slide Turner into a utility role. The source indicated Turner could be asked to learn the corner outfield positions in spring training.
It remains unlikely the Mets would try to acquire a shortstop if Reyes departs. The team is high on the 22-year-old Tejada, who hit .284 with 36 RBIs in 328 at-bats last season.
The Mets still have not abandoned hope that Reyes can be re-signed, despite strong overtures by the Marlins toward the shortstop in recent days. The Brewers, Nationals, Tigers and Phillies are among the other teams with varying levels of interest in Reyes.
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson will arrive today at the GM meetings in Milwaukee most interested in finding bullpen help.
Alderson has made rebuilding the bullpen his No. 1 offseason priority other than trying to re-sign Reyes.
The search for a new closer could include Joe Nathan, Jonathan Broxton and Brad Lidge, but likely won’t involve bigger-ticket players such as ex-Mets Heath Bell and Francisco Rodriguez.