Report: Mets turn focus to Murphy, Walker

The New York Mets will now explore a number of contingency options to fill their void at second base following a fruitless pursuit of Ben Zobrist, the two-time All-Star who landed a four-year deal with the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.

The reigning division champions are interested in bringing back Daniel Murphy, who rejected the club's $15.8-million qualifying offer, but only if he's open to a deal no longer than three years, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Selected by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2006 draft, Murphy has spent his entire career in Queens, and blasted a career-high 14 homers with a .770 OPS in 2015 to help the club return to the postseason for the first time in nine years. His postseason power surge carried the Mets to the World Series, too, but his defensive foibles in the Fall Classic helped the Kansas City Royals earn their first championship in 30 years.

The Mets' search for a second baseman has spilled over to the trade market, as well, as the club is interested in Neil Walker of the Pittsburgh Pirates, though they remain skeptical a deal will materialize, according to Puma. Walker, a free agent next winter, regressed a bit last season following a career-year in 2014, but still hit .269/.328/.427 with 16 homers in 151 games for Pittsburgh.

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