Murton?

[Backtobanks]

Why are so many of you down on Murton? It seems to me that all I'm reading is platoon him, trade him, or make him the 4th OF. I think Murton has shown that he could hit at every level he has played at. He's not necessarily a power hitter, but his numbers from last year would project to 20-25 HRs over a full year. I realize that he was "protected" from some RH pitchers last year, but he didn't put up all of those great numbers in the minors by facing only LH pitching. Between Murton and Cedeno, I think the Cubs have 2 young players who will have long and solid careers and need to be given the chance to show their stuff. Of course, if the Cubs can get someone like Dunn only by including someone like Murton, then I understand.

[JStaff17]

I agree, give the kids a chance to produce. If they flop, we still have room payroll wise to make a trade during the season, etc. Also, if we want to keep our pitching staff in tact for the long haul, we'll have to pay them. A couple of "cheap", productive position players goes a long way in allowing that to happen.

[Electron Blue]

I don't think people are down on him.

 

The trade idea I've seen him involved in include someone like Adam Dunn, which would make Murton seem pretty useless to use. And the platoon idea, personally I wouldn't go for it, but the stats don't lie -- he has had had trouble against righties. Nevertheless, I want him in LF every day in '06

[soapy]

Why are so many of you down on Murton? It seems to me that all I'm reading is platoon him, trade him, or make him the 4th OF. I think Murton has shown that he could hit at every level he has played at. He's not necessarily a power hitter, but his numbers from last year would project to 20-25 HRs over a full year. I realize that he was "protected" from some RH pitchers last year, but he didn't put up all of those great numbers in the minors by facing only LH pitching. Between Murton and Cedeno, I think the Cubs have 2 young players who will have long and solid careers and need to be given the chance to show their stuff. Of course, if the Cubs can get someone like Dunn only by including someone like Murton, then I understand.

 

I wouldn't advocate platooning him just for the sake of platooning him. I would say, however, if the Cubs picked up someone like Gonzo or Floyd, I'd be more then happy with him platooning. He will probably succeed, but he's not as much of a lock as someone like Floyd to put up really nice numbers. Now, if you're talking about making him a 4th OF behind people like Burnitz, Holla, Mabry etc. then that's different.

[goonys evil twin]

I think you're reading it wrong if you think people are down on Murton.

 

People are being realistic with Murton. I, and many others, would be more than happy to see him given a full time chance to start, all season long. And I expect him to put up reasonable numbers for a rookie LF, probably somewhere in the upper 700 OPS range, possibly a bit over 800. A good lineup can easily find space for a $350,000 rookie to put up numbers in that range.

 

The problem is the Cubs don't have a good lineup. They have too many other questionable bats, and possibly some really bad ones. Because of this, and because Cedeno is also a rookie likely to be introduced to the lineup, and that Dusty can run-off a rookie in no time flat, I'm thinking this Cubs team would be better off getting more guaranteed production, and possibly replacing Murton, either full or part time, if that's the case.

[CarolinaCubFan]

I'm excited to see Murton in 06. We've got a young LF who as progressed rather well so far, but he is an unknown who may get his break. We could have a young, cheap LF putting up a line of 25-30 HR's and a .360ish OBP, or we could have 10 HR's and a .330 OBP. If he claims LF in Spring Training and could finish 06 with a line near 30/.360, I'd be thrilled. A perfect fit for this team with the big guns in the infield.

 

Either way, I'm just excited we are getting to see a kid get a shot.

[BigbadB]

I'm excited to see Murton in 06. We've got a young LF who as progressed rather well so far, but he is an unknown who may get his break. We could have a young, cheap LF putting up a line of 25-30 HR's and a .360ish OBP, or we could have 10 HR's and a .330 OBP. If he claims LF in Spring Training and could finish 06 with a line near 30/.360, I'd be thrilled. A perfect fit for this team with the big guns in the infield.

 

Either way, I'm just excited we are getting to see a kid get a shot.

 

I don't mean to burst your bubble, but I think the likelihood that Murton is your everyday leftfielder next year is probably at about 20% odds at best.

 

Hendry seems intent on trading Patterson and Walker, and he still has an extra arm or two in the bullpen he can deal between Ohman, Novoa and Wellemeyer. Between those guys I just listed and a prospect or two, Hendry WILL find someone that turns Murton into a platoon at best.

 

Dusty has no faith in rookies. Cedeno and Murton might both be given plenty of playing time, but I doubt you see them in the same line up together very often. Unless they are both just creaming their competition silly.

 

I could have seen Murton win the job all by himself if Hendry signed Giles or Furcal, or traded for Tejada. But, with Neifi now looking more and more like he's going to be a big factor in the offensive scheme next year, Jacque Jones being Jacque Jones, Hendry will feel the need to give the outfield a boost somehow. I mean, Jerry Hairston is currently the 4th outfielder. Yikes! Think about that. If Murton or Jones sprain an ankle, the outfield will be Murton, Pierre, Hairston. Ughh.

 

I'm hoping that Hendry has taken my advice (I know he reads me daily :D at NSBB) and has decided that Huff wasn't worth what Tampa wanted, and that just before Spring Training breaks, Tampa will be asking for a Neifi Perez chewed piece of gum in exchange for the Cubs taking all or most of Huff's 7.5m for 2006. But, Tampa better hurry or Hendry won't have 7.5m to spend.

 

Anyway, Dusty might put Cedeno and Murton out there at the same time if he gets enough pressure from Hendry. Once. But, out of spite Dusty will do it just long enough to show negative results just so he can play "his" boys.

 

I would have loved to have seen Murton AND Cedeno playing everyday in 2006. But, in order to do it and make it work, the Cubs would have needed to add players that make Murton and Cedeno's offensive production look generic in comparison. With the players added, the Cubs can't afford generic numbers from Murton and Cedeno. They would need above average production, something that is not very fair to ask of a rookie.

[BigbadB]

I'll add one more thing. When (I use WHEN rather than IF because I think adding another outfielder is inevitable) Hendry does add another outfielder, it will be Murton who gets platooned, not Jones.

 

Jones is viewed as an everyday starter by Hendry and Dusty. He was basically an everyday starter with the Twins. We (NSBB) see his horrible splits against lefty starters, but Dusty sees a veteran who has been an everyday starter for years who is also making starter money.

[rawaction]

I'll add one more thing. When (I use WHEN rather than IF because I think adding another outfielder is inevitable) Hendry does add another outfielder, it will be Murton who gets platooned, not Jones.

 

Jones is viewed as an everyday starter by Hendry and Dusty. He was basically an everyday starter with the Twins. We (NSBB) see his horrible splits against lefty starters, but Dusty sees a veteran who has been an everyday starter for years who is also making starter money.

 

He probably also sees a former leadoff hitter with speed. He'll hit 2nd.

[BigbadB]

I'll add one more thing. When (I use WHEN rather than IF because I think adding another outfielder is inevitable) Hendry does add another outfielder, it will be Murton who gets platooned, not Jones.

 

Jones is viewed as an everyday starter by Hendry and Dusty. He was basically an everyday starter with the Twins. We (NSBB) see his horrible splits against lefty starters, but Dusty sees a veteran who has been an everyday starter for years who is also making starter money.

 

He probably also sees a former leadoff hitter with speed. He'll hit 2nd.

 

Yep. I think he'll hit 2nd as well, and whoever Hendry gets to get the bulk of the playing time in LF will either go between Lee and Ramirez if he's a lefty, or will hit 5th behind Ramirez if it's a righty.

[soapy]

whoever Hendry gets to get the bulk of the playing time in LF will either go between Lee and Ramirez if he's a lefty, or will hit 5th behind Ramirez if it's a righty.

 

Okay, so let's turn this discussion a bit (while sticking with the Murton theme).

 

At what point is it acceptable to put Murton into a platoon?

 

Example: If Shawn Green ended up on the team (yeah, yeah, NTC), would you platoon him with Murton? I think I'd personally platoon him with Jones in that scenario (Green plays RF the days Murton plays). I think I could accept that.

 

What about Gonzo? It's a much bigger risk, IMO. He is really getting up there. I didn't realize until recently that he is 38 yrs old. Having Murton spell Gonzo and Jones on a regular basis might be a good idea (especially considering Gonzo's age).

 

The whole Arizona thing is kind of in my head because of their plethora of OF.

 

Of course, the biggest kicker in this whole scenario is I'd just assume have Green in RF and Murton in LF with Jones in a galaxy far, far away.