Even though the New York Mets jumped out to an early lead in the NLCS against the Cubs, the fact that Daniel Murphy is the hottest hitter on earth might not keep him in a Mets uniform the next baseball betting season. He has hit five home runs in the playoffs so far, against some of the best pitchers in the game – two off Clayton Kershaw and one each off Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester and Zack Greinke. However, he becomes a free agent after the playoffs, and his iffy defense could make him a liability in the DH-free National League.
Closer Look at the MLB Betting News and Rumors Around The Dugout
Daniel Murphy is rewriting #postseason history. Watch him hit his 5th HR in as many games >> https://t.co/6FesDBYKUE pic.twitter.com/CGgmd0PIEj
— New York Mets (@Mets) October 21, 2015
According to the New York Daily News’ Kristie Ackert, two team sources have said that Murphy is not in future plans for the Mets, despite these amazing home runs. Before the postseason started, it was expected that Murphy would move on. However, it looked like this terrific run might cause a change. However, Dilson Herrera and Wilmer Flores cost less at second base. The Mets could give Murphy a qualifying offer. If he refuses it, they get a draft pick in between Rounds 1 and 2 if he signs somewhere else. That would lower his market value. He could stick with the Mets as a costly insurance policy for David Wright and Lucas Duda. Here are some of the other rumors swirling around Major League Baseball as the two League Championship Series rage on:
CBSSports.com reported last weekend that Zack Greinke is opting out of the last three seasons of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, due to pay him $71 million. This report also indicates that he can expect contract offers that go five years and pay him more than $125 million. This doesn’t mean that Greinke won’t stay in Chavez Ravine, though. According to Joel Sherman with the New York Post, Greinke might not go to the biggest contract, and the Dodgers are likely to be one of the aggressive suitors since their rotation isn’t that solid after Clayton Kershaw.
St. Louis Cardinals slugger Jason Heyward is likely to leave town, even though the team needs more offense if they plan to stay competitive with the Cubs and Pirates in that loaded NL Central. GM John Mozeliak has indicated some interest in having Heyward come back but has also said that Heyward does not fit the traditional profile of a power slugger. According to ESPN Insider Jim Bowden, signing Heyward should be a matter of priority, but the team seems to disagree so far.
Dusty Baker, who managed the Giants, Cubs and Reds to postseason appearances, is looking for another gig. He is old school, which means that the analytics-minded GMs may be loath to bring him in. However, as the Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Fay points out, Dusty is “very good at getting the most out of his players. Baker has the unique ability to have players like him and fear him a bit at the same time.” This could be a terrific fit in Washington, where Nationals manager Matt Williams lost control of his clubhouse down the stretch.
