Daniel Murphy: Is 2010 the Year for Him To Shine or Fade?

Daniel Murphy may just get his chance to show that he can be an everyday first baseman for the New York Mets in 2010.

All of the Mets players, along with management and the medical staff, have a lot to prove in 2010, but perhaps it is Daniel Murphy who has the most to prove this spring.

Carlos Delgado is struggling physically in Winter Ball, according to scouts there, he is limping and does not have the range to play first base or run if he does get on base. 

Most likely, Delgado will either choose to retire or convince an American League team that he will be valuable as a Designated Hitter.

In 2009, Murphy played left field for a short time and it was deemed a failure, but when Carlos Delgado had surgery and was done for the season, it was Murphy that took the reins and played first base the rest of the season.

Murphy's natural position is third base, but unless David Wright goes down with a serious injury, there is no room for Murphy there, and most likely Murphy does not have the footwork to be a middle infielder.

Jerry Manuel has shown reservation about Murphy when facing left handed pitching, so that is why a platoon with Fernando Tatis may be considered before Opening Day.

Mets management is very impressed with Murphy's tireless work ethic, he along with David Wright actually have to be told to rest, they both overwork to a fault at times. 

He is a self-professed batting cage obsession risk, he can and will talk about batting to excess, that can be a problem as his defense needs to have equal attention for him to succeed.