Murton = Liability

[dnana86]

Murton's OPS (.721) is currently the third worst mark in the entire national league (with only Preston Wilson and an awful Cliff Floyd trailing him). He's been a giant liability this season and it's looking more and more like he's nothing more than a platoon player. For the all the criticism Jacque Jones gets, he's at least been the most productive of the three outfielders.

[Pinktermite]

I'm afraid I have to agree. I like Matt, great guy, but he's got no punch in his bat like the rest of these guys. He's just part of an anemic Cubs attack that can't do what it needs to do to score runs. I will say, however, that he does have a decent obp, and if someone were there behind him to drive him in, then he'd look better. But he needs to provide better RBI and power numbers to justify staying in the lineup, though he may as well stay in the lineup, we don't have anyone to replace him with.

[erik316wttn]

It's his first full year in the lineup. Cut him some slack.

 

He may be trying to do too much, because God knows the rest of these losers can't hit.

[beer man]

How is it when players do too little, some apologist says cut them a break, they are trying to do to much?

 

That does look good on a resume sent to the Cubs.

[Pinktermite]

I'm not knocking the guy, I'm just saying that I don't think he has the power numbers, but he's clearly one of the better guys we have right now. Maybe I was a little harsh. And with ABs comes power, so I digress and will not attempt to knock a guy that at least will take a walk once in a while

[rocket]

Murton was never a high power guy, and to expect that out of him in his first full season isn't right. His main job is to provide some OBP, and his .356 OBP is respectable.

[Pinktermite]

He isn't part of the problem. Now I feel guilty for making it sound like I don't like the guy. I think my aggression towards the Cubs mental retardation on the part of management has caused me to insult the only guy in the outfield that is doing his job. Matt, can you ever forgive me?

[BigbadB]

Murton=major league minimum

 

Neifi Perez= 8x Murton's salary

Rusch= 9x Murton's salary

Jacque Jones=18x Murton's salary

 

 

Shall I continue?

[rynefan]

Well, Matt is getting chances he might not normally get if the Cubs had more options. Let's see what he does with his chances the rest of the year. I really liked Corey, too, and that didn't work out so well. I think Matt has great potential, and if the season is probably already tanked, might as well let him try.

[Southpaw191679666239]

Murton=major league minimum

 

Neifi Perez= 8x Murton's salary

Rusch= 9x Murton's salary

Jacque Jones=18x Murton's salary

 

Amen.

[Shavo]

Despite his current effort, I am sure Matt could be a 280/350+/750 guy in a few years. His ceiling might be 15-20 homers. Edited May 20, 2006 by Shavo

[KaiserCesar]

In an ideal world, Murton is platooned with Jones in LF or RF while a very productive corner outfielder takes the other position.

 

This isn't an ideal world. The Cubs overall problem on offense in the majors and even in the minors is a lack of plate discipline. Matt Murton is one of many solutions that are needed to start to bring this ballclub on the right track. There is no suitable replacement and you aren't going to trade anything of value to improve this team for this year. So, you use this as a developmental year and hope he can produce. It is still a small sample size so far and you can see room for improvement. Power develops last, he's still 24. So things look good for a guy who has a good approach to hitting.

 

Also, Pierre seems to be clogging up the top of the order with his presence despite being awful. With Murton's lack of power thus far, but good plate discipline, he'd be an ideal candidate to bat 1-2. I think it would be great to see him put up there and not shove Pie into the leadoff spot.

[Backtobanks]

Murton's OPS (.721) is currently the third worst mark in the entire national league (with only Preston Wilson and an awful Cliff Floyd trailing him). He's been a giant liability this season and it's looking more and more like he's nothing more than a platoon player. For the all the criticism Jacque Jones gets, he's at least been the most productive of the three outfielders.

 

I remember quite a few posters wanted the Cubs to sign Preston Wilson for RF.

[JeffH]

(Insert name of Cub player or member of Cub management team) = Liability

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Hitting for power was the big concern with Murton. I thought he'd hit a little more than he is right now(I predicted .340/.420 OBP/SLG for him), and maybe he still will with a hot streak and summer days at Wrigley with the wind blowing out. That said, considering his .721 OPS comes with a .356 OBP right now, I'm hesitant to call him a liability all things considered. Edited May 20, 2006 by Transmogrified Tiger

[rynefan]

I think that Murton would be a great No. 2 hitter. He could potentially be a Sandberg-like hitter one day. You never know. But probably never have that defensive prowess.

[KaiserCesar]

I think that Murton would be a great No. 2 hitter. He could potentially be a Sandberg-like hitter one day. You never know. But probably never have that defensive prowess.

 

I like his defense so far, he just has a nice LF arm, nothing more. He pretty much fits the description of "solid" for most parts of his game

[CubinNY]

Murton is not the problem. In fact, he is one of the bright spots along with Marshall and Cedeno. Probably the only bright spots right now.

[ToupeeOnFire]

Obviously Murton has been less than great, but he's young, cheap, actually will take a pitch from time to time, and isn't afraid of clogging the bases. When you are a team as bad as the Cubs, thats when you play the kids and put up with the growing pains. Murton is the type of hitter we need more of and hopefully he'll start driving the ball. God only knows what Baker and Clines have in store for him.

[Productive Outs]

Murton is not the problem. In fact, he is one of the bright spots along with Marshall and Cedeno. Probably the only bright spots right now.

 

barrett?

 

i like cedeno, but i think his .691 OPS and 5/25 KK/BB ratio are getting too much praise

[katway]

Murton has a great approach to hitting. He still has time to find a power stroke. With his aproach, he's very likely to develope into a Mark Grace type hitter with 15 to 20 homers and lots of doubles. He's also the kind of hitter that would do real well batting in front of a power hitter (not true for most hitters in our lineup) since he is a smart situational hitter and the current lineup just doesn't give him that kind of opportunity to shine. It's a little early to give up on him.

[BigSlick]

Murton's OPS (.721) is currently the third worst mark in the entire national league (with only Preston Wilson and an awful Cliff Floyd trailing him). He's been a giant liability this season and it's looking more and more like he's nothing more than a platoon player. For the all the criticism Jacque Jones gets, he's at least been the most productive of the three outfielders.

 

Then lead him off.

 

problem solved.

[rocket]

Murton's OPS (.721) is currently the third worst mark in the entire national league (with only Preston Wilson and an awful Cliff Floyd trailing him). He's been a giant liability this season and it's looking more and more like he's nothing more than a platoon player. For the all the criticism Jacque Jones gets, he's at least been the most productive of the three outfielders.

 

I remember quite a few posters wanted the Cubs to sign Preston Wilson for RF.

 

Preston Wilson for 1 year or Jacque Jones for 3?

[BigSlick]

Murton=major league minimum

 

Neifi Perez= 8x Murton's salary

Rusch= 9x Murton's salary

Jacque Jones=18x Murton's salary

 

 

Shall I continue?

 

BBB, you have sickened me.

 

Excuse me while I throw up.

[Sammy Sofa]

In a perfect world, Murton would be platooning with Jacque against lefties while the Cubs have Cabrera rocking our socks off in LF.

 

But this is not that world.

 

Yeah, Murton isn't lighting the world on fire, but he gets on base and is incredibly patient. It's his first full year and he has MASSIVE potential...it's not like he's pulling a Corey and going from one good partial season to total suck. I'm willing to give him a shot. Had Hendry done his job and gotten another big hitter to bolster this lineup before the season started, Murton getting into his groove wouldn't be even this big a deal. This is a crappy situation for a rookie to come into his own.