Daniel Murphy prepares for second base

After handing out gifts to kids Tuesday in a Santa outfit, Daniel Murphy delivered a zinger to Sandy Alderson. Wearing his shaggy beard, and clad in the oversized fat suit, Murphy remained in character when he saw the GM surrounded by reporters.

"Santa's got a box of chocolates for Sandy this year," Murphy bellowed in Alderson's direction.

The GM chuckled at the reference to his own comments of a week earlier during the winter meetings in Dallas. Back then, Alderson used the "box of chocolates" line twice, first in a sarcastic aside to the Marlins' wooing of Jose Reyes and later regarding Albert Pujols' mega-deal with the Angels.

Murphy's dry sense of humor apparently is intact, as well as his left knee, the one damaged by a Grade 2 MCL sprain last August. Murphy has suffered two season-ending knee injuries the past years - both while playing second base - but the Mets want him back there for 2012.

"I think they want me in the lineup," said Murphy, who has discussed the second-base plans with manager Terry Collins. "I've got to play defense. I ain't going to be able to just hit all year. I know the perception - I've been over there twice, I got hurt twice. So I'm going to have to be as comfortable around second base as some would say I feel I am in the batters box. I've got to make that my second home."

With a limited budget, and a gaping offensive void left by the departures of Jose Reyes and Angel Pagan, the Mets need to find a spot for Murphy - and second base seems like the last, best option. With the lengthy rehab behind him, Murphy already has been working out at the position, alternating braces on his knees. He's not sure what he'll do about wearing one during the season.

"To tell you the truth, I had a more severe injury on the MCL on the right knee [in 2010]. I felt like I was moving around like a maniac last year. I felt pretty good. I don't know what you guys saw, but I felt like I was moving around well. I said when I got hurt I feel like I know how this story ends, I'm going to be fine. It's just eight to 10 weeks I had to go to get healthy."

Despite hearing his name mentioned in trade conversations, Murphy is focusing on second base with the Mets, just as Jonathon Niese -- another subject of recent trade chatter -- doesn't anticipate being dealt anywhere. Niese, along with Justin Turner, filled the role of Santa's helper for Tuesday's holiday party and Alderson currently has him penciled in for the Mets' rotation.

"He's part of our plans for next year, absolutely," Alderson said. "But we've made it clear from the get-go that we'll talk about almost anybody. At this point, that's all it is -- talk. And I wouldn't say that it's even been significant conversation. He's still very much part of our plans."

Alderson remains on the lookout for a "swing-man" type pitcher, one that could be moved between the rotation and bullpen if the situation arises. Right now, the GM views the rotation as pretty much full, but he did backpedal a bit on Johan Santana, leaving open the possibility that the Mets' rehabbing ace may need extra time.

"We do have some question marks of course, with Santana being one of them," Alderson said. "We think he's going to be ready, but he might not be, so that's where the depth becomes important."

With the Mets non-tendering Ronny Paulino late Monday night, Alderson said it's "very possible" Mike Nickeas could be the backup catcher to Josh Thole for the coming season. The GM also said he did not see any additional moves before Christmas, with activity picking up again after the new year.

"Nothing has happened since the meetings that would suggest that anything is going to get done soon," Alderson said. "And of course we couldn't trade anybody until after the Christmas party here."

As always, Alderson showed he has a sense of humor, too.