Murton/Bynum platoon implied by Dusty

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If Murton hits .375 against lefties, why not sit him once in a while? It might give him some more motivation, and that's not a bad thing. This team sucks, and is hopeless, so what does it matter?

 

Because the team sucks and is hopeless is exactly the reason he shouldn't sit. So the kid has struggled against righties. What's the best way for him to get better, watching Freddie Bynum give it a try?

[CubinNY]

And you don't allow sucky veterans to play while benching the kid. That serves no purpose to the team.

 

That's the craziest thing of all, it tops the cake.

 

I could almost understand if the Cubs were bringing up some young stud, but Fast Freddy Bynum? Are you kidding me?

 

Just when I think it can't get worse, it does.

[Derwood]

As many, many announcers have said on many, many Cubs broadcasts:

 

"Kids don't make it to the majors by just hitting lefties in the minors"

[Ding Dong Johnson]

And you don't allow sucky veterans to play while benching the kid. That serves no purpose to the team.

 

The part that kills me is that Murton has a lot more experience than Freddie. Not to mention more success...

[goonys evil twin]

And you don't allow sucky veterans to play while benching the kid. That serves no purpose to the team.

 

That's the craziest thing of all, it tops the cake.

 

I could almost understand if the Cubs were bringing up some young stud, but Fast Freddy Bynum? Are you kidding me?

 

Just when I think it can't get worse, it does.

 

I'm not just talking about Bynum. He's been nothing short of terrible this year, but he's only a couple years older than Matt with little experience. His pass from Dusty is his speed and versatility, two things that have described some of the worst Cubs players in the Dusty era. But it's telling when the first position player demotion of the season happens to a guy like Murton, while Pierre hasn't seen the least bit of pressure to improve his game, and Neifi keeps getting more and more playing time the worse he plays.

[srbin84]

I've always dismissed Mike North's accusations that Dusty is a racist, but when you think about the comments he has made and add to that the fact that unexplained playing time distributions like this exist all over the diamond; it's hard not to consider it.

[BigbadB]

I've always dismissed Mike North's accusations that Dusty is a racist, but when you think about the comments he has made and add to that the fact that unexplained playing time distributions like this exist all over the diamond; it's hard not to consider it.

 

I don't wish to expand on this particular quote, though I wouldn't rule it out, entirely.

 

But, has anyone noticed how much better the Cubs are this year now that their day schedule workload is much lighter? :roll:

 

Remember that excuse?

[anemic offense]

This Dusty topping his stupidity stuff is getting out of hand. He wants to bench one of our better players (which isn't saying much right now), for the worthless Freddie Bynum. Then factor in the fact this team has nothing to gain and a lot to lose by this move. And some (not here) wonder why our "kids" don't develop. Unreal.

 

I think Dusty needs to take a look around the league to find guys who didn't start on fire once they came to the league. A guy by the name of Travis Hafner rings a bell, as well as half of the Indians lineup. How's a guy suppose to hit righties if he's not given the chance to do so? I could understand if we had a good platoon option and were actually in the race, but this is out of it.

 

There mayyyy be a silver lining in all of this. With Bynum the Cubs will have the chance to suck so bad that even Hendry won't be able to ingnore the fact the Cubs need to peddle all their tradeable players for young prospects. Then again I'm not going to hold my breath.

[Warren Brusstar]

He wants to bench one of our better players

 

I agree with the general sentiment here that playing Freddie Bynum against right handed pitchers is absolutely inexcusable. He has absolutely zero chance of ever being even a replacement level corner outfielder. That said, characterizing Murton as one of our "better players" is ludicrous. His OPS against RHP is under .600. That's laughably bad. Now, because this team isn't going anywhere, the Cubs should be using the rest of this season to confirm that Murton can't hit RHP. And if posts a sub-.600 OPS over the course of 500 PA against RHP, the Cubs would be perfectly justified in deciding that they need to go in another direction in LF for 2007.

[cubfan1955]

If they stick Murton in a platoon it is a clear signal that they have given up on him. I'd say it's an attempt to get his numbers up so they can trade him by the deadline for an A ball pitcher you've never heard of before and you won't hear of again. It sucks for the fans but it's probably the best thing that could happen to Murtons career.

[YearofDaCubs]

I've always dismissed Mike North's accusations that Dusty is a racist, but when you think about the comments he has made and add to that the fact that unexplained playing time distributions like this exist all over the diamond; it's hard not to consider it.

IMO, he is a racist. He was totally out of line with his comments about the sun and what color skin you have. If he was white he would be fired right now.

[RynoRules]

I've always dismissed Mike North's accusations that Dusty is a racist, but when you think about the comments he has made and add to that the fact that unexplained playing time distributions like this exist all over the diamond; it's hard not to consider it.

IMO, he is a racist. He was totally out of line with his comments about the sun and what color skin you have. If he was white he would be fired right now.

 

Undeniably true. Imagine if Torre said Jeter was a little better during day games than Giambi is b/c Jeter is half African-American. Pink slip.

I've always dismissed Mike North's accusations that Dusty is a racist, but when you think about the comments he has made and add to that the fact that unexplained playing time distributions like this exist all over the diamond; it's hard not to consider it.

 

I don't wish to expand on this particular quote

Fine, I'll do it. I can get away with it better than you can. You're established. I don't even have a username.

 

With someone who has as many antiquated baseball theories as Dusty Baker, I wouldn't rule "I like players that look like me" out.

[Scott G. F.]

My theroy is he hates red heads that look like Damian Lewis from "Band Of Brothers"

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/faces/images/damian_lewis.jpg

 

http://minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2005/09/21/4JrJmNJ2.jpg

[Flames24Rulz]

Yet another reason to boycott watching the Cobs.

[SoonerCubFan]

If they stick Murton in a platoon it is a clear signal that they have given up on him. I'd say it's an attempt to get his numbers up so they can trade him by the deadline for an A ball pitcher you've never heard of before and you won't hear of again. It sucks for the fans but it's probably the best thing that could happen to Murtons career.

 

I'd suggest that if they stick Murton in THIS platoon it would mean that they're on the same path as others they have given up on. I would still opine that if they had gotten or get a high OPS corner OF a platoon or Murton with Jones would be optimal for the team AND Murton's more gradual and solid progression.

[E.J.]

Can the Trib just sell already? I've gotten so tired of this organization and how it's run.

[SoonerCubFan]

He wants to bench one of our better players

 

I agree with the general sentiment here that playing Freddie Bynum against right handed pitchers is absolutely inexcusable. He has absolutely zero chance of ever being even a replacement level corner outfielder. That said, characterizing Murton as one of our "better players" is ludicrous. His OPS against RHP is under .600. That's laughably bad. Now, because this team isn't going anywhere, the Cubs should be using the rest of this season to confirm that Murton can't hit RHP. And if posts a sub-.600 OPS over the course of 500 PA against RHP, the Cubs would be perfectly justified in deciding that they need to go in another direction in LF for 2007.

 

Exactly, although I'd still like to see them go get an impact corner OF for now and the future and let Murton platoon with Jones for as long as Jones is here. If not, definitely Murton needs all the PT.

[cubfan1955]

If they stick Murton in a platoon it is a clear signal that they have given up on him. I'd say it's an attempt to get his numbers up so they can trade him by the deadline for an A ball pitcher you've never heard of before and you won't hear of again. It sucks for the fans but it's probably the best thing that could happen to Murtons career.

 

I'd suggest that if they stick Murton in THIS platoon it would mean that they're on the same path as others they have given up on. I would still opine that if they had gotten or get a high OPS corner OF a platoon or Murton with Jones would be optimal for the team AND Murton's more gradual and solid progression.

Sadly, Hendry did not sign Jock for 3 years to platoon.

[oldcubsfan]

I've always dismissed Mike North's accusations that Dusty is a racist, but when you think about the comments he has made and add to that the fact that unexplained playing time distributions like this exist all over the diamond; it's hard not to consider it.

 

I don't wish to expand on this particular quote

Fine, I'll do it. I can get away with it better than you can. You're established. I don't even have a username.

 

With someone who has as many antiquated baseball theories as Dusty Baker, I wouldn't rule "I like players that look like me" out.

 

Maybe it's because he can't hit now and isn't driving in any runs.

[YearofDaCubs]

I've always dismissed Mike North's accusations that Dusty is a racist, but when you think about the comments he has made and add to that the fact that unexplained playing time distributions like this exist all over the diamond; it's hard not to consider it.

 

I don't wish to expand on this particular quote

Fine, I'll do it. I can get away with it better than you can. You're established. I don't even have a username.

 

With someone who has as many antiquated baseball theories as Dusty Baker, I wouldn't rule "I like players that look like me" out.

 

Maybe it's because he can't hit now and isn't driving in any runs.

And Juan Pierre, Freddie Bynum, and Neifi Perez are?

[E.J.]

Murton has to figure out how to hit that inside pitch with some sort of authority. Teams are getting him out all day and night by pitching him inside. He's just hitting that pitch weakly on the ground to the left side over and over again. Until he makes an adjustment he's going to keep struggling.

 

Still pretty crappy that an organization who is going nowhere this year would sit a developing rookie because he's struggling. Why not give him playing time to see if he can figure it out? It's not like he's taking at-bats away from a player who's better.

[Wheelimus]

If Matt Murton isn't going to play everyday, send him down to Iowa to actually get regular playing time. Then you can play Everyday Freddie and Angel Pagan when he gets in left.

 

We're out. Murton needs to play everyday to continue to develop and become a good ballplayer. If your idiot manager won't do that, then you have to demote the kid Hendry.

 

Hopefully the guys at Iowa can bring back the patient guy who was doing pretty damn good.

[Andy]

After another crap game by Murt I'm honestly wondering if Bynum will be getting all the starts in LF from now on.

[srbin84]

After another crap game by Murt I'm honestly wondering if Bynum will be getting all the starts in LF from now on.

 

I don't want Bynum in the outfield. He's Dubois-esqe out there and that's the nicest way I could put it.