WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Nationals won the NL East after signing Daniel Murphy away from the Mets to a three-year, $37.5 million contract.
Murphy batted .347, missing out on the NL batting title by one point. He led the league in doubles (47), slugging percentage (.595) and OPS (.985), and built a bond with Bryce Harper. Once again he will be a force to be reckoned with and although Murphy is no longer a Met, he has a special place in his heart for longtime teammate David Wright.
“Trying to win and playing hard are attainable goals. Not giving away an at-bat, staying completely engaged in the field for 27 outs, that’s an attainable goal,” Murphy told The Post on Friday at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
“That’s something I got from David. David isn’t as vocal as I am, but I was able to pick his brain and learn from him. David taught me what it looked like to be a pro.’’
And because of all that, Murphy is rooting hard for his old friend as the Mets and Nats prepare to battle it out in the NL East in 2017.
“I’m excited to see that he has been able to come this far from the spinal stenosis and the [neck] surgery,’’ Murphy said. “I talked to David a little bit, I’m asking him how his girls are doing now that he has a baby girl. I’m always rooting for David. I want him to get healthy. What he means to that team and that organization it just goes beyond words. The game is much healthier when David is healthy.’’
As for his first year with Harper and the Nats, Murphy noted: “We were able to talk hitting last year and exchange some ideas. What he thought about pitchers in the division, his experiences. For instance: He’s had pretty good at-bats against Jerry [Blevins] and I struggle against Jerry. It was really cool to hear his thoughts.’’
Murphy hit 25 home runs, Harper hit 24, but saw his batting average drop to .243 as he struggled with a shoulder injury.
Harper’s locker is one locker away from Murphy and the slugger arrived in camp Friday, wearing a Cowboys cap. The Nationals lost the NLDS to the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw in five games. Murphy, who had a spectacular postseason run with the Mets in 2015, batted .438 in the series.
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