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          New York Mets

          Free-agent-to-be Daniel Murphy: 'I feel blessed to have been a Met this long'

          • Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff WriterNov 2, 2015, 08:26 AM
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          NEW YORK -- Daniel Murphy joined the New York Mets as a 13th-round pick out of Jacksonville University in 2006.

          Nine years later, he potentially played his final game with the organization Sunday night as the Mets were eliminated by the Kansas City Royals in Game 5 of the World Series.

          A team source told ESPN.com the Mets are likely to make Murphy a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer. Still, team officials expect Murphy to decline it for a multi-year free-agent deal elsewhere this winter.

          "I like it here," Murphy said after Sunday's 7-2, 12-inning loss to the Royals. "I'd like to come back. We'll have to see. I don't think there are going to be 30 teams offering me a deal. So we'll have to see. That will probably dwindle it down."

          The Mets are comfortable moving forward with a middle-infield combination of Wilmer Flores, Ruben Tejada and prospect Dilson Herrera next season, provided team officials bring in a strong-enough outfield bat to offset the expected departure of free-agent-to-be Yoenis Cespedes.

          "That's down the road," Murphy said. "I'm not sure what next year is going to look like.

          "I've enjoyed my time here. I really have enjoyed my time. This organization has been great to me. I love the guys. I can't sing their praises enough. I thought the fans were awesome this series. I thought they brought energy. I most certainly have enjoyed it.

          "I've been in this organization since 2006. It makes me feel old to say it. I think that's like nine years, if I count and use my toes right. It's a long time. But I truly, truly have enjoyed my time in this organization. I feel blessed to have been a Met this long."

          Murphy went from National League Championship Series MVP to a World Series underperformer. He had a pair of costly errors at second base and hit .150 in the Fall Classic.

          "I didn't play as well as I wanted to," Murphy said. "That's most certainly the case. I wish I would have swung the bat better. I wish I would have made a couple of more plays. But I can't get it back now. It's unfortunate."