Met Recall Dilson Herrera

The Mets late Thursday announced they are recalling Dilson Herrera from Las Vegas. This could be the beginning of the end for fan favorite Daniel Murphy.

In the short term, Murphy will move to third base, where Eric Campbell has been struggling to replace the injured David Wright. Campbell is a very good role player; he is exposed as a starter.

Herrera is the real deal; he had three home runs and 11 RBIs (although he batted just .220), in 18 games in his September cameo last season. He was tearing up Triple-A this year, batting .375 with a homer and 11 RBIs in 19 games.

If Herrera continues his torrid hitting, it would be difficult to send him down once Wright is ready to return. The Mets will not simply bench Murphy, but it could hasten his departure from Flushing. It is unlikely the Mets will sign Murphy long-term when he is a free agent after the season. So perhaps the Mets could trade him now for an area of need, such as a high quality reliever. Or maybe he can be packaged with one of the excess starters for their true need — a shortstop who can field as well as hit.

Herrera is obviously the second baseman of the future. The Mets probably did not think that future would start until next year. But if Herrera shows he is ready now, why wait?