The New York Mets extended a $15.8 million offer to Daniel Murphy for the 2016 season, according to the team.
The second baseman is not looking for a one-year deal for $15.8 million, so Murphy should decline and chase a multi-year deal this winter to lock up his future. To make things simple, Murphy will search for a four-year deal worth about $50 million.
Murphy hit .281/.322/.499 with 14 homers and 73 RBI over 130 games with the Mets in 2015, but was not able to get All-Star honors. In 2014, Murphy hit .289 with nine home runs and 57 RBI over 143 games, but did make the All-Star team.
The 13th round draft pick in the 2006 MLB Draft hit .313 with two homers and 17 RBI over his 49-game rookie season. The numbers have dropped a little, but the power seems to be coming around, especially after a solid 2015 season.
It is respectable to project Murphy for a .275 batting average next season with 18 home runs and 78 RBI over about 150 games played. While those are just predictions; that would make for an outstanding season for a player who has not gotten a lot of publicity until the postseason.
In the 2015 postseason, Murphy became a hero with seven homers and an MLB-record six straight games with a home run to help lead the Mets to the World Series, which they lost at the hands of the Kansas City Royals.
While it would be sad to see Murphy depart, there are options. The Mets would promote Dilson Herrera to play second, unless they find a different player for the infield opening.
Murphy has seven days (November 13) to accept or decline the one-year offer for $15.8 million. The 30-year-old is the only player to get a qualifying offer since the system started in 2012. If Murphy signs elsewhere, the Mets would receive a compensation pick in the June MLB Draft.