Daniel Murphy is still available, but likely headed nowhere.
Just to remind the Mets of his value heading into Thursday’s 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline, the scrappy second baseman offered one last demonstration Wednesday.
Murphy’s three-run homer was at the forefront, helping the Mets beat the Phillies 11-2 at Citi Field to claim a series victory.
Murphy’s bat makes him a commodity for a team in need of lineup help, but the Mets are in no hurry to make a deal involving their most consistent hitter, without a significant return. A club insider termed it highly unlikely Murphy will be traded before the deadline, as the player’s value to the Mets continues to outstrip his worth to others.
But the Mets eventually will have to make a decision on Murphy, who is due a significant raise in 2015 from the $5.7 million he is making this year. He can potentially become a free agent after next season.
“You always want to be part of the future,” Murphy said after finishing 3-for-5 with three RBIs. “You want to be part of the solution. There are a lot of guys playing well in this clubhouse right now.”
The Mets (52-56) are neither buyers nor sellers heading into the final day to make non-waiver deals. The expectation is they will stand pat and perhaps make a waiver deal in August if there is an opportunity.
But manager Terry Collins can certainly understand the trade buzz that has surrounded the All-Star second baseman in recent weeks.
“If I was a team on the other side that needed a middle infielder, I would call here, too,” Collins said. “So I don’t blame [general manager] Sandy [Alderson] for listening and if we can get better, there may be something done, but Dan Murphy is an important part here and we know it. We’re trying to win games here also.”
Zack Wheeler (6-8) wasn’t sharp early on, but managed to last 6 ²/₃ innings in which he allowed two earned runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
It was a sixth straight start for Wheeler in which he permitted two earned runs or less. In each of his previous five, he had allowed only one earned run.
The Mets broke open the game with a five-run outburst in the seventh, which included reliever Jeurys Familia delivering an RBI single. Lucas Duda hit a two-run homer in the eighth that accounted for the Mets’ final scoring. The blast was Duda’s team-leading 19th of the season.
An inning earlier, Duda delivered an RBI single against lefty Mario Hollands. For the Mets, it was a positive sign: Duda entered batting only .153 in 59 at-bats this season against left-handers.
“I have confidence in myself that I can hit lefties,” Duda said. “Right now I’m going through a bit of a rough spell.”
Duda can succeed against lefties, according to Collins, as long as he takes a conservative approach at the plate.
“I saw that when he was coming up in the organization,” Collins said. “Lucas Duda can hit lefties and right now I think there is that stereotypical thing that because of where he hits in the lineup that he’s got to drive balls against everybody. I just want him to get hits.”
Murphy’s three-run homer in the fifth got the Mets rolling against Kyle Kendrick (5-11). After Juan Lagares scored from third on a wild pitch, Murphy went to the opposite field and cleared the left-field fence, giving the Mets a 4-1 lead.
Just don’t ask Murphy about his anxiety level heading to the trade deadline.
“When is it, [Thursday]?” Murphy said. “I’ll be hanging out with my son and my wife. I’ll be fine.”