HOUSTON — Daniel Murphy can certainly relate to the challenge the Mets’ newest infield transformation is facing.

Looking back almost twenty years, Murphy was a third baseman on the rise in the team but wouldn’t get the opportunity to play there for the Mets. This was because David Wright had already solidified his position as a key player for the team. It was evident to the team’s management that Murphy, with his impressive left-handed hitting skills, needed to be assigned a different position.

The Mets, after various experiments, finally settled on second base. Murphy lasted five full seasons at the position — long enough to become part of the franchise’s lore with his October 2015 power barrage. With a homer in six straight games, he set a postseason record in helping the team reach the World Series.

Now it’s Brett Baty’s turn. The 25-year-old third baseman shifted to second base this spring after Jeff McNeil was sidelined due to an oblique strain and will receive a look there for at least the first few weeks of the season. It’s an opportunity for Baty to show team brass he can still belong, even with his natural position blocked by Mark Vientos’ emergence last season.