Upgrading in LF?

[soapy]

I was thinking about this last night, and then I noticed that Bruce mentioned something similar this morning in his column (not trying to call you out, Bruce, but it triggered my thought). Why has LF become targeted as one of the major areas to "upgrade" this offseason? I would say that Murton, though not spectacular by any stretch, is probably the best outfielder the Cubs have right now and I'm a little disheartened that so many people are clamoring to replace him.

 

Let's look at the 2006 numbers:

 

Pierre: Salary = $5.75 million

.291AVG/.335OBP/.392SLG/.727OPS

 

Jones: Salary = $4.03 million

.286/.327/.487/.814

 

Murton: Salary = $337,000

.295/.360/.429/.789

 

Murton has, arguably, the best offensive production of the bunch and is far, far cheaper than the other two. The only explination I can think of for wanting to replace Murton instead of Jones is because the Cubs may not be able to find a trade partner for Jones. As for Pierre, I can only assume that people want him because he is a "leadoff hitter". I'm sorry, but none of those reasons are strong. Nor is the defense of either Pierre or Jones far supperior to that of Murton.

 

I just think some people are trying to fill the wrong holes. Murton is likely to improve, while Pierre and Jones are not. In fact, either or both are probably candidates to have a drop-off next season because of age and the fact that they are both playing above their 2005 levels.

 

Honestly, if Hendry wants to improve the outfield, he needs to get creative with a trade and/or start thinking outside the box. You don't need a small speedy centerfielder to bat leadoff.

 

Now, one thing that is specifically mentioned often is the idea of platooning Murton and Jones. Numbers for 2006.

 

vs RHP

 

Jones: .310/.355/.528/.883

Murton: .292/.348/.415/.764

 

vs RHP, Murton loses a lot in the area of SLG and thus, OPS. Even so, Jacque's numbers vs. RHP are far below that level in 2005. Even if he does repeat those numbers vs RHP in 2007, is the extra $3.5 million worth it?

 

If the Cubs are going to upgrade their offense, I think they should focus on RF or CF. If they insist on bringing back Jones, platoon him with Restovich, or pick up C. Wilson and upgrade in CF. I think Murton has earned an everyday job.

[Backtobanks]

I was thinking about this last night, and then I noticed that Bruce mentioned something similar this morning in his column (not trying to call you out, Bruce, but it triggered my thought). Why has LF become targeted as one of the major areas to "upgrade" this offseason? I would say that Murton, though not spectacular by any stretch, is probably the best outfielder the Cubs have right now and I'm a little disheartened that so many people are clamoring to replace him.

 

Let's look at the 2006 numbers:

 

Pierre: Salary = $5.75 million

.291AVG/.335OBP/.392SLG/.727OPS

 

Jones: Salary = $4.03 million

.286/.327/.487/.814

 

Murton: Salary = $337,000

.295/.360/.429/.789

 

Murton has, arguably, the best offensive production of the bunch and is far, far cheaper than the other two. The only explination I can think of for wanting to replace Murton instead of Jones is because the Cubs may not be able to find a trade partner for Jones. As for Pierre, I can only assume that people want him because he is a "leadoff hitter". I'm sorry, but none of those reasons are strong. Nor is the defense of either Pierre or Jones far supperior to that of Murton.

 

I just think some people are trying to fill the wrong holes. Murton is likely to improve, while Pierre and Jones are not. In fact, either or both are probably candidates to have a drop-off next season because of age and the fact that they are both playing above their 2005 levels.

 

Honestly, if Hendry wants to improve the outfield, he needs to get creative with a trade and/or start thinking outside the box. You don't need a small speedy centerfielder to bat leadoff.

 

Now, one thing that is specifically mentioned often is the idea of platooning Murton and Jones. Numbers for 2006.

 

vs RHP

 

Jones: .310/.355/.528/.883

Murton: .292/.348/.415/.764

 

vs RHP, Murton loses a lot in the area of SLG and thus, OPS. Even so, Jacque's numbers vs. RHP are far below that level in 2005. Even if he does repeat those numbers vs RHP in 2007, is the extra $3.5 million worth it?

 

If the Cubs are going to upgrade their offense, I think they should focus on RF or CF. If they insist on bringing back Jones, platoon him with Restovich, or pick up C. Wilson and upgrade in CF. I think Murton has earned an everyday job.

 

I think LF has been targeted because it is traditionally a power position and the Cubs need some more power in the lineup. I think Murton is a rising star and will have a long and solid career ahead of him. If the Cubs could find the power they need at a non-traditional power position (Tejada, Soriano, etc.) then they would feel more comfortable with Murton playing full time in LF. Although a trade of Jones looks unlikely, a power-hitting RF would serve the same purpose.

[mul21]

I think arguably the best option is to let Pierre go, move Jones to CF and try to get the big bat for either corner OF position with Murton staying in the everyday lineup. We all know that Hendry won't do that, but I'm not the only one thinking this would be the way to go, assuming you can pick up Soriano or Lee or whatever other bat you can get to add offense to the middle of the order.

 

I do agree with the thought that everyone is writing off Murton way too quickly. As you say, he is by far the most likely to improve his numbers next year and for years to come and it would be foolish to get rid of him for anything less than a very good every day player.

[Rob]

I'd say those of us clamoring to replace Murton are realists, and nothing more.

 

I love Matt Murton. But the fact of the matter is that Hendry is going to be GM next season, and there's no way he outright gets rid of Jacque Jones. He might, however, be open to setting up a platoon for him. In that case, Murton makes a logical platoon partner.

 

I'd take it one step further and create another platoon in left. Trot Nixon and Craig Wilson together will cost probably a bit less than a guy like Carlos Lee... and they should provide better numbers from LF. Not to mention, that gives us two guys in any game who can come off the bench and be productive. Having Wilson and Murton or Nixon and Jones sitting on the bench during any one game can be absolutely huge.

 

Just to finish the thought, Toronto would probably be open to Izturis, Pie, and a guy like Ryu for Vernon Wells. Izturis would actually be a significant upgrade to their middle infield, and Pie is the kind of cheap talent they like, while Ryu is a solid arm. And I know that's semi crazy of me to trade Pie away, but with an outfield of

 

Nixon/Wilson

Wells

Jones/Murton

 

I think we'd be in contention next year... which, to me, makes it worthwhile.

[biittner77]

The Cubs are getting below avg power from Murton in LF but are getting above avg production from Barrett at C. If the Cubs could find a 2nd baseman that can hit for some power they can put together a competitive lineup.

[Rob]

The Cubs are getting below avg power from Murton in LF but are getting above avg production from Barrett at C. If the Cubs could find a 2nd baseman that can hit for some power they can put together a competitive lineup.

 

Durham will be a FA.

 

I was about to mention that in my post above, but I'm not sure the Cubs would be willing to shell out the cash for all those OF's and Durham.

[CubColtPacer]

The Cubs are getting below avg power from Murton in LF but are getting above avg production from Barrett at C. If the Cubs could find a 2nd baseman that can hit for some power they can put together a competitive lineup.

 

Agreed with this-most teams have 2 places where they have hitters that struggle-C, and 1 of 2B, SS, or CF- a few teams don't, but pretty much every team has 1 and most teams have 2. We have the catcher position covered with Barrett-the problem is the other positions. A big bat at second would overcome that deficiency, and allow Murton to stay in left. (Let's say we added Soriano-Soriano's SLG make him a pretty good offensive LF, and Murton's OBP would make him a good offensive 2B-their positions would just be switched from the traditional roles). Find a platoon partner for Jacque, and even if he likely comes down from his numbers this year you still could be getting an 850 OPS out of RF. That offense will be much better, regardless who is starting in center at that point, and even with Izturis. Of course, you could go the other direction and try to trade for somebody like A. Jones, but I think the big hitting second baseman is much more likely.

[EricG]

Murton isn't the reason that the Cubs lost 83 games, but he isn't all-star caliber either. The Cubs need to get better at other positions before attempting to upgrade in LF. 2B, CF, SS, RF in that order.

Trading for Wells and signing Soriano makes SS and RF problems managable. Moving Jones to CF (platoon with Pagan) opens up RF. Sign CLee and move Murton to RF, but then can you afford Soriano and a lesser OF defense.

Traditionally LF is a power bat, but if you have enough power from the traditional non-power bats then it is managable to have Murton in LF.

[neely crenshaw]

you hit it on the head....murton is arguably the best of the lot.especially factoring in age and potential but he would be the guy to upgrade because we signed jones for 3 years and traded 3 prospects for pierre (and will probably resign him) so to upgrade then would be to say "we screwed up" and no one is going to take the deal-yet.

in my opinion this is the truly bad part of the jones signing. he has done very well for us...better than we thought, but having jones menas we can only hope to play 1 of either murton or pie- arguably our best 2 prospects.

[illiniguy]

Murton isn't the reason that the Cubs lost 83 games, but he isn't all-star caliber either. The Cubs need to get better at other positions before attempting to upgrade in LF. 2B, CF, SS, RF in that order.

Trading for Wells and signing Soriano makes SS and RF problems managable. Moving Jones to CF (platoon with Pagan) opens up RF. Sign CLee and move Murton to RF, but then can you afford Soriano and a lesser OF defense.

Traditionally LF is a power bat, but if you have enough power from the traditional non-power bats then it is managable to have Murton in LF.

Vernon Wells is a great centerfielder. Why not keep him there and Jaque in right in that scenario?

[Magnetic Curses]

you hit it on the head....murton is arguably the best of the lot.especially factoring in age and potential but he would be the guy to upgrade because we signed jones for 3 years and traded 3 prospects for pierre (and will probably resign him) so to upgrade then would be to say "we screwed up" and no one is going to take the deal-yet.

in my opinion this is the truly bad part of the jones signing. he has done very well for us...better than we thought, but having jones menas we can only hope to play 1 of either murton or pie- arguably our best 2 prospects.

 

jones is very tradeable, however, we will have to eat a bit of his deal.

[Wheelimus]

All the more reason to let Pierre walk and put Jacque in center, since his numbers there would be well above league average, I'd imagine.

[Backtobanks]

A reasonably cheap FA solution might be Durham at 2B and Craig Wilson in a platoon with Jones. I'm starting to have my doubts about Cedeno, but he might be a good addition to some of our young pitchers as a trade package. I do think there is a good possibility that Pierre will be back unless his demands are totally unrealistic.

[jmajew]

Just a thought but maybe Hendry signed Jones to a three year deal with the intent of using him for two years in RF til Pie is ready and then either trying to ship out Jones or letting him Platoon with Pie to start. Its a good possibility Jones wouldn't take anything less than a 3 year deal and if Hendry wanted to "improve" the team this year he may have had to give him that deal.

 

With that said the Cubs need a platoon partner for Jones for next year and a new 2b with an OBP of 350-370. Then you can resign Pierre for 3 years and keep him in center. Pierre, 2b, Lee, Ramirez, Murton, Barrett, Jones/Platoon, Izturis.

[Mizzou]

I'm going to be pretty disappointed if Murton isn't in LF next year. I see him as a Sandberg type of player that is going to improve every year.

[Rob]

Just a thought but maybe Hendry signed Jones to a three year deal with the intent of using him for two years in RF til Pie is ready and then either trying to ship out Jones or letting him Platoon with Pie to start.

 

Considering they both bat left handed, I find that idea implausible.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Signing Soriano to play second would make up for the power lost by letting Murton play left.

[Backtobanks]

Another thought on getting power from a non-power position might be getting Andruw Jones to play CF and then you can leave Murton in LF.

[frostwyrm]

Murt is too cost-effective not to start, and he also still has potential to improve. Unless you're the Yankees you need cheap production somewhere.

[cheapseats]

Murt is too cost-effective not to start, and he also still has potential to improve. Unless you're the Yankees you need cheap production somewhere.

 

Robinson Cano

2006 Salary: $381,100

[frostwyrm]

Murt is too cost-effective not to start, and he also still has potential to improve. Unless you're the Yankees you need cheap production somewhere.

 

Robinson Cano

2006 Salary: $381,100

 

Everybody likes cheap production, even the Yankees. They don't need it though.

[jmajew]

Just a thought but maybe Hendry signed Jones to a three year deal with the intent of using him for two years in RF til Pie is ready and then either trying to ship out Jones or letting him Platoon with Pie to start.

 

Considering they both bat left handed, I find that idea implausible.

 

I didn't mean a strict platoon, just share time.

[neely crenshaw]

i think we either need to trade murton for pitching or sign a power hitter in a non power spot(soriano-a.jones type) it would be a waste to make him the 4 -5th outfielder.he has a lot of upside, he should be a .300 hitter the rest of his career but he probably won't be more than a 20 hr guy. this would be ok if you didn't have a cf who won't hit 5 and a rf that won't hit but 25-30 every year. it will be difficult to contend if your outfield won't combine for 45 hrs in wrigley for the year...the other problem is that if we have an outfield like that it just magnifies the fact that dlee and aram have to be healthy and very-very productive for us to be competitive.

[gflore34]

What of letting Pierre walk, moving Jones to CF, Murton to RF and signing Carlos Lee to play LF in addition to signing Soriano to play 2B? Go with a lineup of:

 

Murton

Barrett

D. Lee

Ramirez

C. Lee

Soriano

Jones

Izturis

P

[cjbucks]

What of letting Pierre walk, moving Jones to CF, Murton to RF and signing Carlos Lee to play LF in addition to signing Soriano to play 2B? Go with a lineup of:

 

Murton

Barrett

D. Lee

Ramirez

C. Lee

Soriano

Jones

Izturis

P

 

I'm warming to the idea of letting Murton lead off but do you think their is a manager in baseball (outside of Francona maybe) who would let Murton do it?