Daniel Murphy’s postseason likely marked his last days with the Mets after the second baseman declined the team’s $15.8 million qualifying offer on Friday.
While Murphy can still sign with the team that drafted him in 2006, team officials expect the 30-year-old to ink a multi-year deal elsewhere. If he does agree to a deal with another team, the Mets will receive a compensatory draft pick.
Murphy is expected to be able to fetch at least a four-year deal for more than $50 million.
The chances of Murphy accepting an offer were never good, especially after he turned the playoffs into his own free-agent pitch, storming through the first two rounds before faltering in the World Series against the Royals, when his error on Eric Hosmer’s grounder allowed the tying run to score in what ended up being a crushing loss in Game 4.
None of the 34 players who previously had been given qualifying offers had accepted one before this year, but three did on Friday, with Colby Rasmus returning to the Astros, Matt Wieters to the Orioles and Brett Anderson to the Dodgers.
The Mets have alternatives at second base, with 21-year-old Dilson Herrera a possibility to take over. They also could shift Wilmer Flores to second and leave Ruben Tejada at short, but Tejada is no lock to be tendered a contract as Matt Reynolds has emerged as a potential shortstop candidate.
Another wild card is Ben Zobrist, who long has had the Mets’ attention.
The 34-year-old free agent can play multiple positions and hits for power, and because he was traded by the Athletics to the Royals during the season, he was not eligible to receive a qualifying offer and therefore won’t cost a draft pick.
Like Murphy, Zobrist showed he was capable of being at the top of his game in October, playing well in all three rounds as the Royals won their first title in 30 years by beating the Mets in five games.
If Murphy does depart, his offense will be tough to replace.
He had a career-high 14 homers during the regular season and then went 16-for-38 in the postseason before a disappointing World Series. Murphy homered in six straight playoff games, but then had just three hits in the World Series, with seven strikeouts.
“I like it here and I’d like to come back,” Murphy said after the World Series loss. “We’ll have to see. I’ll make plenty of money [anywhere].”
The Mets signed infielder/outfielder Ty Kelly to a minor league contract Friday. The 27-year-old started 2015 with Triple-A Memphis (Cardinals) and hit just .203 in 79 games before being claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays in July. He spent the rest of the season with Triple-A Buffalo, hitting .264 with a homer and 12 RBIs in 38 games.