Murton's PT next year

[RegulusBlue]

Sweet Lou is in. Great...

 

But what happens to Murton if we get Carlos Lee, which looks very likely, and if we get Soriano, but put him in the OF? Is Jones still gonna receive the free pass he got last year and get to start all the time against lefties?

 

I am distraught about this, because we are developing a good player in Murton, but we may bring guys to start over him, stunting a promising career. Here are the scenarios that I can live with:

 

1) We don't get Lee, Murton is the LF.

 

2) We get Lee, and Murton platoons with Jones while spelling Lee and pinching. Hopefully 350-450 AB.

 

3) Lee and Jones start, Murton takes over in CF, or takes RF and Jones goes to center.

 

This team WILL become less fun to watch and be worse overall if Murton is not an appreciable part of the team. I just hope that Murton buys Piniella a big box of chocolates in ST. Luckily, we don't have a manager who will just sit him for reasons that don't apply to baseball, such as resistance to summer heat.

 

PS- Lou just said he doesn't like to wait for the three-run homer. Gross.

[Balsa]

Hey! I'm in the Church of Murton!

[Hacking Out Machine]

3) Lee and Jones start, Murton takes over in CF, or takes RF and Jones goes to center.

.

 

I am also a big fan of Murton, but he provided absolutely no evidence that he can hold down center field...even in Wrigley. Bad breaks on balls...even misjudged a few. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here...Matt's barely adequate in left. I can't see him playing every day in center, at least not for long. Ditto for Jones. A Lee/Jones Murton outfield would be among the worst defensively in the league, and Jones and Murton at this point are league average offensive players. A shoddy defensive outfield like that would have to be way way way above average offensively to compensate, like a hypothetical Sheffield/Garciaparra/Lee or something like that.

[hardcorecubfan]

3) Lee and Jones start, Murton takes over in CF, or takes RF and Jones goes to center.

.

 

I am also a big fan of Murton, but he provided absolutely no evidence that he can hold down center field...even in Wrigley. Bad breaks on balls...even misjudged a few. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here...Matt's barely adequate in left. I can't see him playing every day in center, at least not for long. Ditto for Jones. A Lee/Jones Murton outfield would be among the worst defensively in the league, and Jones and Murton at this point are league average offensive players. A shoddy defensive outfield like that would have to be way way way above average offensively to compensate, like a hypothetical Sheffield/Garciaparra/Lee or something like that.

 

Which Murton did you watch? Of the three he seemed to have the greatest learning curve for Wrigley. His fielding pecentage is better than Jim Edmonds and better than Jones, with the upside of youth, speed and learning the field he could be a great one.

[CubColtPacer]

3) Lee and Jones start, Murton takes over in CF, or takes RF and Jones goes to center.

.

 

I am also a big fan of Murton, but he provided absolutely no evidence that he can hold down center field...even in Wrigley. Bad breaks on balls...even misjudged a few. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here...Matt's barely adequate in left. I can't see him playing every day in center, at least not for long. Ditto for Jones. A Lee/Jones Murton outfield would be among the worst defensively in the league, and Jones and Murton at this point are league average offensive players. A shoddy defensive outfield like that would have to be way way way above average offensively to compensate, like a hypothetical Sheffield/Garciaparra/Lee or something like that.

 

Which Murton did you watch? Of the three he seemed to have the greatest learning curve for Wrigley. His fielding pecentage is better than Jim Edmonds and better than Jones, with the upside of youth, speed and learning the field he could be a great one.

 

I also think Murton is better for Wrigley, but only because his strengths play better into Wrigley than a person like Jones. Jones is much better going back towards the wall and struggles sometimes coming in, while Murton has a great deal of trouble near the wall but can make the plays in his range everywhere else. Of course, Murton's arm is better because it's more accurate (I think Jacque's arm is actually stronger, but who can tell when his throws go into the ground or 10 feet over the catcher's head).

[hardcorecubfan]

I do believe PETA is after Jacque for killing a couple of gophers out there in the field with those hard throws into the turf

[jaxxradio]

If the Cubs are smart, they will leave Murton alone and let him get his 600 AB's per season.

 

I got to know him when we were in West Tenn and believe me when I tell you, he has tremendous work ethic as well as talent. The loft in his swing is going to be good for 25-30 homers every year very soon. He'll also be a .300 hitter year in and year out.

[Derwood]

I wouldn't categorize Carlos Lee to the Cubs as "very likely" as most reports have him signing with the Astros

[RichHillIsABeast]

If the Cubs are smart, they will leave Murton alone and let him get his 600 AB's per season.

 

I got to know him when we were in West Tenn and believe me when I tell you, he has tremendous work ethic as well as talent. The loft in his swing is going to be good for 25-30 homers every year very soon. He'll also be a .300 hitter year in and year out.

 

We finally get a worthwhile position player out of our system (ok, ok, via Boston) and some people want to replace him with a high priced FA (Carlos Lee) who arguably won't provide better production.

 

I agree with you that Murton is going to hit for more power. It's there. He really started getting the ball in the air more the second half instead of little dinkers in the infield. Nice adjustments there by the Big Murt.

 

His hustle is much appreciated and his defense improved markedly this season. Will he be a Gold Glover? I doubt it, but he'll be above average if he keeps working hard. It's nice when one of your outfielders can hit the cutoff man too. :lol:

[A New Era]

Mark my words down. If the Cubs do not keep Murton in LF it will be the stupidest mistake they could ever make this off-season. Players like Murton (and Duncan for the Cards) are the young studs you want to keep because they are ready to produce and save you alota dough.

[Monco]

Upgrade at 2nd,short,center and right. Let Murton play.Crying about lack of power is silly.Why does a left fielder have to hit 35 homers?

[minnesotacubsfan]

Upgrade at 2nd,short,center and right. Let Murton play.Crying about lack of power is silly.Why does a left fielder have to hit 35 homers?

 

cuz nobody else can

[frostwyrm]

Upgrade at 2nd,short,center and right. Let Murton play.Crying about lack of power is silly.Why does a left fielder have to hit 35 homers?

 

cuz nobody else can

 

Murton is a solid player who makes $400K. You can use the savings to pay for your 35 homers elsewhere.