Who bats second?

[98navigator]

I posted this earlier within another thread but I think this should be revisited because the word coming from Lou today is different than what we've heard previously...

 

Piniella said Sunday he's considering using Jones in the No. 2 slot, which would mean the lineup could begin with Soriano, followed by Jones, Lee, Ramirez and Floyd. That's a power-hitting quintet that compares favorably with some of the best American League lineups, even without a designated hitt

 

Trib

 

Also here:

 

Expect to see some interesting lineups this spring. The only spots set are Alfonso Soriano first, Derrek Lee third and Aramis Ramirez fourth. Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Jacque Jones could bat second or fifth, depending on what outfield combination he comes up with.

 

"Look, what's going to determine all these things is what happens in center field," Piniella said.

 

If Jones is in center, Cliff Floyd in left and Soriano in right, Jones could bat second and Floyd fifth. If Soriano is the starting center fielder, then the Cubs have to figure out who's starting in the corners.

 

"We'll have a much better idea in the middle of Spring Training," Piniella said. "I have some ideas, but they're just ideas."

 

Cubs.com

 

It reminds me of LaRussa putting Encarnacion in the number two spot. Jones might hit well there because he'd get a lot of fastballs but it's more likely to be hit or miss. :lol:

[radarluv1]

uggh. no mention of murton there.

[Mizzou]

I actually like the idea of Jones hitting second.

 

I hate the fact that Floyd is even being talked about as a starter. The fact that Murton isn't penciled in for the everyday job is just silly stupid.

[b_wiggy_66]

I think Barrett or Murton would be better in the 2 hole. Maybe if Jones was there he would run more on the bases.

 

I'm not really happy that they were talking about the OF and made no mention of Murton at all

[bsucubsfan]

Murton and his obp gives the cubs the best option there. At the very least he'd move soriano over for lee and aram to drive him in. Jones' high strikeout rate doesn't give us good flow to start the game. Let jones hit 7th with no pressure on him. I'd put barrett in the 2 hole before jones.

[Soul]

Piniella said Sunday he's considering using Jones in the No. 2 slot, which would mean the lineup could begin with Soriano, followed by Jones, Lee, Ramirez and Floyd. That's a power-hitting quintet that compares favorably with some of the best American League lineups, even without a designated hitter.

 

The slow, deliberate process of benching Matt Murton has officially begun.

 

 

Don't worry; when Floyd pulls up lame in mid-April Lou will be forced to play Matty.

[98navigator]

I don't think they're excluding Murton. From what I've read and heard, Lou will have a number of lineups. I think this is exclusively for the days when both Floyd and Jones start. The whole thing is dependent on Soriano playing CF because if he can't, Jones and Floyd will rarely play on the same day. That is, if Murton is the primary starter... This also assumes that Jones can't play CF.

 

The only certainty in Cubs camp is there are no sure things.

 

Manager Lou Piniella said Alfonso Soriano would start in center field, but he might have to switch to a corner spot.

 

Jacque Jones might bat second, but he might hit down in the lineup. Cliff Floyd might platoon with Matt Murton in left, or they might play together on the corners.

 

Nothing is set in stone, and the musical chairs in the outfield will depend on whether Soriano can handle center.

 

Trib

Edited February 19, 2007 by 98navigator

[Danny82]

I actually like the idea of Jones hitting second.

 

I hate the fact that Floyd is even being talked about as a starter. The fact that Murton isn't penciled in for the everyday job is just silly stupid.

 

Is it really "stupid" when Floyd is two years removed from a near MVP-like season?

 

Well, I guess they could still trot out Soriano, Murton, and Floyd until Floyd breaks a fingernail.

[Soul]

I actually like the idea of Jones hitting second.

 

I hate the fact that Floyd is even being talked about as a starter. The fact that Murton isn't penciled in for the everyday job is just silly stupid.

 

Is it really "stupid" when Floyd is two years removed from a near MVP-like season?

 

 

Yes, because Floyd's chances of staying healthy diminsh dramatically if he is starting.

[WrigleyField 22]

This is discouraging :?

[Mizzou]

I actually like the idea of Jones hitting second.

 

I hate the fact that Floyd is even being talked about as a starter. The fact that Murton isn't penciled in for the everyday job is just silly stupid.

 

Is it really "stupid" when Floyd is two years removed from a near MVP-like season?

 

Well, I guess they could still trot out Soriano, Murton, and Floyd until Floyd breaks a fingernail.

I don't know if you're being serious, but yeah it's incredibly stupid.

 

Floyd was 26th in MVP voting in 2005. Grudz was 27th in 2003... see my point?

 

Saying that he had a "near MVP like season" two years ago means next to nothing for a guy that can't stay healthy.

[CubColtPacer]

I don't think they're excluding Murton. From what I've read and heard, Lou will have a number of lineups. I think this is exclusively for the days when both Floyd and Jones start. The whole thing is dependent on Soriano playing CF because if he can't, Jones and Floyd will rarely play on the same day. That is, if Murton is the primary starter... This also assumes that Jones can't play CF.

 

The only certainty in Cubs camp is there are no sure things.

 

Manager Lou Piniella said Alfonso Soriano would start in center field, but he might have to switch to a corner spot.

 

Jacque Jones might bat second, but he might hit down in the lineup. Cliff Floyd might platoon with Matt Murton in left, or they might play together on the corners.

Nothing is set in stone, and the musical chairs in the outfield will depend on whether Soriano can handle center.

 

Trib

 

Hmmm-it seems like they have decided that it's basically 3 equal players for 2 spots. Murton may not have a guaranteed starting job, but neither does Jones or Floyd. That is definitely going to be an interesting situation to watch as it progresses throughout the season. I'm not too worried about it though-they all should be good players, so production should hopefully be good no matter which two they run out there.

[Danny82]

I actually like the idea of Jones hitting second.

 

I hate the fact that Floyd is even being talked about as a starter. The fact that Murton isn't penciled in for the everyday job is just silly stupid.

 

Is it really "stupid" when Floyd is two years removed from a near MVP-like season?

 

Well, I guess they could still trot out Soriano, Murton, and Floyd until Floyd breaks a fingernail.

I don't know if you're being serious, but yeah it's incredibly stupid.

 

Floyd was 26th in MVP voting in 2005. Grudz was 27th in 2003... see my point?

 

Saying that he had a "near MVP like season" two years ago means next to nothing for a guy that can't stay healthy.

Next to nothing? If he still has the ability to hit 34 HR with a .360 OBP over 550 at bats, I see no reason not to get him an ample amount of at bats.

 

I'm sorry, I don't care what you say, but it's not "stupid" to talk about a guy with that kind of ability to be starting.

[Mizzou]

I actually like the idea of Jones hitting second.

 

I hate the fact that Floyd is even being talked about as a starter. The fact that Murton isn't penciled in for the everyday job is just silly stupid.

 

Is it really "stupid" when Floyd is two years removed from a near MVP-like season?

 

Well, I guess they could still trot out Soriano, Murton, and Floyd until Floyd breaks a fingernail.

I don't know if you're being serious, but yeah it's incredibly stupid.

 

Floyd was 26th in MVP voting in 2005. Grudz was 27th in 2003... see my point?

 

Saying that he had a "near MVP like season" two years ago means next to nothing for a guy that can't stay healthy.

Next to nothing? If he still has the ability to hit 34 HR with a .360 OBP over 550 at bats, I see no reason not to get him an ample amount of at bats.

The dude is 34 years old and couldn't stay healthy last year. Yeah, it'd be awesome if he would reproduce the numbers that he put up two years ago, but it's pretty unlikely to happen. And it's pretty stupid to start him over Murton, who is only going to get better.

[David]

I actually like the idea of Jones hitting second.

 

I hate the fact that Floyd is even being talked about as a starter. The fact that Murton isn't penciled in for the everyday job is just silly stupid.

 

Is it really "stupid" when Floyd is two years removed from a near MVP-like season?

 

Well, I guess they could still trot out Soriano, Murton, and Floyd until Floyd breaks a fingernail.

 

"near MVP-like?" Even that is a bit of a stretch.

 

He hit .273/.358/.505

 

Pretty solid, not bad at all, but nowhere near MVP like. In fact, if that's anywhere near MVP-like, then Jacque Jones' 2006 wasn't too far off either.

 

And yes, it's dumb, because Murton is young and has a lot of potential as a hitter and has already realized a good enough deal of it for us to be able to believe he is the real thing. He's patient (exactly what this team needs), and has shown signs of developing power.

 

Floyd was brought here to be the 4th OF, if he's anything more than that at Murton's expense, it would be a mistake.

[inari]

Murton hitting second is the best option, but I just don't think that's going to happen. Between Jones and DeRosa, I'd easily pick Jones.

 

Soriano

Jones

Lee

Ramirez

Murton/Floyd

Barrett

DeRosa

Izturis

 

That's pretty decent.

[Danny82]

You'd easily pick the option who had the lower OBP by over 20 points last year?

[BigbadB]

Murton is clearly the best choice. He has patience to draw the walk. He hits the ball to all fields, which makes him a great hit and run candidate with runners on base, and he makes great contact. He would probably be excellent at hitting the holes with Soriano running.

 

DeRosa would be the 2nd best option. Jones would probably be the third best. If Theriot won a starting job, he might be the best overall.

 

I wouldn't bat Barrett 2nd. When Lee and Ramirez are cranking doubles, I want someone with a little more speed than the guy crouching behind the plate all day scoring from 1st.

 

Since Murton won't play all that often compared to someone like DeRosa, I'd probably prefer DeRosa. I'd like consistency at the top of the order.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Murton should be the only option as a #2 hitter.

[PrimeTime]

I don't know whether Jones batting second is a good thing or bad thing.I could see why they want him there since hes a lefty so your first 4 hitters aren't all righties.The 2 hole is all about OBP though.If he can see good pitches,work the count and get on someway.Fine.Bit its JJ and I don't see it happening.I don't get why they dont talk about solid contact hitters who always get on base like Murton or Barret for the 2 hole.

[UMFan83]

No wonder the Cubs are so bad. Their best players (Murton and Hill) don't even get a chance to play. What a crock of crap

[A New Era]

No wonder the Cubs are so bad. Their best players (Murton and Hill) don't even get a chance to play. What a crock of crap

 

What? When did this happen? Can I borrow your time machine please? 8-)

[David]

No wonder the Cubs are so bad. Their best players (Murton and Hill) don't even get a chance to play. What a crock of crap

 

Overreact much?

 

AFAIK, they haven't even played a Cactus League game yet.

[Jehrico]

I don't think that would be a very good idea at all...

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/cubs.asp?id=282629

 

Murton's name is not mentioned anywhere for the 2-spot. Barret's is though, I could handle that. He also lists DeRosa (as expected), and Izturdis (blech) as other potential #2 hitters.

 

One neat blurb from the article:

 

Early arrivals: All position players are due to report today. Of players on the 40-man roster, only Aramis Ramirez, Ronny Cedeno, Daryle Ward and Brian Dopirak hadn’t been here as of Sunday.

 

“It’s unbelievable, isn’t it?” Lou Piniella said. “I’ve never seen, all these years that I’ve been managing a baseball team or even playing, that there have been so many players here so quick. It’s sort of different, but it’s really good. It’s really good to see.”

[soapy]

I was just reading that as well. Yuck. I guess I'm really not sure why Murton isn't the leading candidate for the 2-spot, unless they don't think he's going to be (primarily) the everyday LFer. Yuck, again.

 

Jones could work in the 2-spot if it was in a platoon situation. His .358 OBP against RHP last year is at least respectable (although from 2004-2006 it's down to .339).

 

At this point, I'm hoping Lou is just throwing out pretty much every name and is just kind of thinking out loud. I'll try not to get too worked up over this, for now. Lou may take more of a liking to Murton once he gets a chance to work with him.