Daniel Murphy: Declines qualifying offer

Daniel Murphy declined his qualifying offer from the Mets on Friday and will remain a free agent, Adam Rubin of ESPN NY reports.

It’s really bittersweet isn’t it? After Daniel Murphy rejected a qualifying offer on Friday, it’s highly unlikely he will resign with the Mets. The long-ball total represented a career high as Murphy placed more emphasis on pulling the ball at the request of Mets hitting coach Kevin Long. Thanks for the memories, Murph. The Atlanta Braves are shopping shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who is signed through 2020, but have asked for one of the Mets’ top four starting pitchers. The 6-foot-5 left-hander moved up to Double-A Arkansas last season, and is expected to be in a big league rotation soon.

The 30-year-old homered in a record six straight postseason games but then slumped in the Series, hitting. He batted just. 238 with a. 314 on-base percentage.

If Murphy departs, the Mets have internal options to start at second base in prospect Dilson Herrera and Wilmer Flores.

Simmons is arguably the best defensive shortstop in baseball, winning the Gold Glove in 2013 and 2014. Because the signing club loses a top pick, the market has slowed for a few less-than-prime free agents. Zobrist, though, will be courted by many teams and it could take a lucrative multi-year offer to land him.

“That’s obviously a big factor – whether (Murphy is) back or not – because financially and roster-wise he’s a big part of who we were and what we need moving forward”, Mets Assistant General Manager John Ricco told reporters at the GM meetings, according to ESPNNewYork.com. He has been dependable in the field and at the plate, but will be a free agent next winter.

They were the first to accept qualifying offers since the system began as a tool to give teams protection from losing star players. We have to see what happens there.