Bruce Miles Piece on the Big Murt

[Amazing_Grace]

Also, a very good article Bruce. OBP is still not a conventional stat in baseball? That's incredibly sad. They probably think K/BB, P/PA, and WHIP are complete gibberish.

 

I'm more and more impressed by Lou Piniella's awareness of different aspects of the game, and respect for different approaches. Perhaps we've all been too conditioned by Dusty Baker and Don Baylor to think that all "old-school" baseball guys are ignorant bafoons incapable of rational thought.

[danonwaveland]

Bruce,

There's a lot of optimism -- even giddyness -- on this board. At this point in the spring, it may be a little early to forecast the season, but are you optimistic about the team's chances this year?

Thanks for excellent journalism and for being a friend of this site.

[NCCubFan]

At first I misread the thread title and thought it said Big Hurt. :D

[CuseCubFan69]

Very nice article Bruce. If Murton continues to do the things he's capable of good things will happen for him and the team.

 

Does anyone know how Murtons stats compare to Lou's when he played?

[cbbryan]

I really think Murton could blossom into a very important player to this team - I doubt he'll ever be a superstar, but he should be consistently good to very good. And that's a type of player you love to have around, cause they're unlikely to get too expensive - I think it's in the best interests of the Cubs to do everything they can to nurture his growth here.

 

Murton's upside = .900 OPS.

 

I think he'll likely end up as Mark Grace plus 10 more homers a year. I'll take that in a heartbeat.

 

This is similar to how I see Murton. I don't know that the kid will develop into a HOF player, but he can be a great secondary player on a team like Gracie was. Solid player, put up decent numbers, and play solid defense. Grace was probably a better defender at his position then Murton is. Grace would have won a gillion Gold Gloves if it weren't for J.T. Snow.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

There's a lot of optimism -- even giddyness -- on this board. At this point in the spring, it may be a little early to forecast the season, but are you optimistic about the team's chances this year?

Thanks for excellent journalism and for being a friend of this site.

 

I share that optimism, even if cautiously so. Lou seems genuinely to believe this is as much talent as he's had as a manager. I'm confident he'll put productive lineups together. The health of the pitching staff will determine much as will Ted Lilly being able to throw innings and keep the ball down and Jason Marquis to bounce back. I'm not among those counting Marquis out. I gues spring training really is a time of optimism.

[tkenm356]

Lou seems genuinely to believe this is as much talent as he's had as a manager.

 

Even more than when he had A-Rod, Griffey, Buhner, Martinez, and Johnson on his team?

 

I figure that'd be a tough act to follow, but if he believes that then that is mighty encouraging

[Wheelimus]

Bruce, have you heard anything solid on how short Marquis' leash is going to be? Such as, what if Angel Guzman is forcing the issue, or Neal Cotts, Wade Miller, etc., and Marquis starts right off with 6.00 ERA. Any clue just how many starts he's going to get to "turn it around"?

 

Thanks

[nilodnayr]

Bruce,

There's a lot of optimism -- even giddyness -- on this board. At this point in the spring, it may be a little early to forecast the season, but are you optimistic about the team's chances this year?

Thanks for excellent journalism and for being a friend of this site.

 

I share that optimism, even if cautiously so. Lou seems genuinely to believe this is as much talent as he's had as a manager. I'm confident he'll put productive lineups together. The health of the pitching staff will determine much as will Ted Lilly being able to throw innings and keep the ball down and Jason Marquis to bounce back. I'm not among those counting Marquis out. I gues spring training really is a time of optimism.

 

I think it was Joe Sheehan who said that he believes the success of the cubs season may come down to the ability of the pitchers to keep the ball in the yard. I know we want to "throw more strikes", but we all know we will probably lead the league again in walks given, so we are going to let guys get on base. If we can keep the ball in the yard, we should have a really good chance.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Frankly, I'd like to see Floyd, Murton and Jones get about equal PT during the year, that would be roughly 2/3 of a season plus PH duty, so about 425 ABs each. They should be able to live with that.

 

Murton--best OBP and defense

Floyd--best SLG

Jones--most consistent hitter strictly against RHP

 

Each has their merits, none is an All-Star, none is a slug. Murton is the best baserunner of the three. But overall, I don't think he's so much better than the other two to merit full-time duty. He can always convince Lou otherwise with performance on the field, but I think the 3-way split would work well for everybody.

[Wheelimus]

They're just going to have to work with their environment. Winds blowing out, a righties on the mound, and Floyds jumping up and down like it's Christmas? Play him. Rainy conditions and his joints are achy? Bench him.

 

Same thing, lefty on the mound? Murton. Winds blowing in and we need every baserunner we can get? Murton. Pitcher who is just going to fall apart when Matt takes the 15th pitch in the at bat? Murton. Pretty much any situation where Matt is going to succeed? Play the kid.

 

And, when you get to that point where the winds blowing out with the righty on the mound and both Matt and Cliff are jumping up and down like it's Christmas, well, lets look at Jacque's numbers when that time comes. Nice problem to have. :D

 

I'd like to see Matt sniff 500 AB's, Jacque less, and Floyd you're always going to take it game by game anyway.

[snoodmonger]

Bruce, have you heard anything solid on how short Marquis' leash is going to be? Such as, what if Angel Guzman is forcing the issue, or Neal Cotts, Wade Miller, etc., and Marquis starts right off with 6.00 ERA. Any clue just how many starts he's going to get to "turn it around"?

 

Thanks

 

I'm curious, too. I assume the answer is "not quite as shot as we'd all like," given the money they threw at him. I hope Marquis pitches well and it's not an issue, but if he doesn't I hope it isn't an Estes situation where he gets to stay in the rotation for no good reason.

[oldcubsfan]

Bruce,

There's a lot of optimism -- even giddyness -- on this board. At this point in the spring, it may be a little early to forecast the season, but are you optimistic about the team's chances this year?

Thanks for excellent journalism and for being a friend of this site.

 

I share that optimism, even if cautiously so. Lou seems genuinely to believe this is as much talent as he's had as a manager. I'm confident he'll put productive lineups together. The health of the pitching staff will determine much as will Ted Lilly being able to throw innings and keep the ball down and Jason Marquis to bounce back. I'm not among those counting Marquis out. I gues spring training really is a time of optimism.

 

Bruce, heard you on the radio this morning raving about Izturis's defense. How valuable do you think that will be for this staff?

[SAMMYWHO]

Bruce, have you heard anything solid on how short Marquis' leash is going to be? Such as, what if Angel Guzman is forcing the issue, or Neal Cotts, Wade Miller, etc., and Marquis starts right off with 6.00 ERA. Any clue just how many starts he's going to get to "turn it around"?

 

Thanks

 

I'm curious, too. I assume the answer is "not quite as shot as we'd all like," given the money they threw at him. I hope Marquis pitches well and it's not an issue, but if he doesn't I hope it isn't an Estes situation where he gets to stay in the rotation for no good reason.

 

Help me remember, who should of replaced Estes in the rotation? Would it of been big Z?

[Magnetic Curses]

Bruce,

There's a lot of optimism -- even giddyness -- on this board. At this point in the spring, it may be a little early to forecast the season, but are you optimistic about the team's chances this year?

Thanks for excellent journalism and for being a friend of this site.

 

I share that optimism, even if cautiously so. Lou seems genuinely to believe this is as much talent as he's had as a manager. I'm confident he'll put productive lineups together. The health of the pitching staff will determine much as will Ted Lilly being able to throw innings and keep the ball down and Jason Marquis to bounce back. I'm not among those counting Marquis out. I gues spring training really is a time of optimism.

 

Bruce, heard you on the radio this morning raving about Izturis's defense. How valuable do you think that will be for this staff?

 

since neifi is rated similar defensively, i doubt that it will be a big enough improvement to really be noticed. that goes for cedeno as well.

 

just my 2 cents.

[snoodmonger]

Bruce, have you heard anything solid on how short Marquis' leash is going to be? Such as, what if Angel Guzman is forcing the issue, or Neal Cotts, Wade Miller, etc., and Marquis starts right off with 6.00 ERA. Any clue just how many starts he's going to get to "turn it around"?

 

Thanks

 

I'm curious, too. I assume the answer is "not quite as shot as we'd all like," given the money they threw at him. I hope Marquis pitches well and it's not an issue, but if he doesn't I hope it isn't an Estes situation where he gets to stay in the rotation for no good reason.

 

Help me remember, who should of replaced Estes in the rotation? Would it of been big Z?

 

a young guy, but not Z, who was already starting. I think i was pushing for Juan Cruz at the time. Estes did come up big in that start at the end of the season.

[CubColtPacer]

Bruce,

There's a lot of optimism -- even giddyness -- on this board. At this point in the spring, it may be a little early to forecast the season, but are you optimistic about the team's chances this year?

Thanks for excellent journalism and for being a friend of this site.

 

I share that optimism, even if cautiously so. Lou seems genuinely to believe this is as much talent as he's had as a manager. I'm confident he'll put productive lineups together. The health of the pitching staff will determine much as will Ted Lilly being able to throw innings and keep the ball down and Jason Marquis to bounce back. I'm not among those counting Marquis out. I gues spring training really is a time of optimism.

 

Bruce, heard you on the radio this morning raving about Izturis's defense. How valuable do you think that will be for this staff?

 

since neifi is rated similar defensively, i doubt that it will be a big enough improvement to really be noticed. that goes for cedeno as well.

 

just my 2 cents.

 

Are you implying that Cedeno played well defensively last year? I would definitely disagree with that if you were. I think he has more defensive potential then he showed last year, but he struggled there for long stretches of time.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Bruce,

There's a lot of optimism -- even giddyness -- on this board. At this point in the spring, it may be a little early to forecast the season, but are you optimistic about the team's chances this year?

Thanks for excellent journalism and for being a friend of this site.

 

I share that optimism, even if cautiously so. Lou seems genuinely to believe this is as much talent as he's had as a manager. I'm confident he'll put productive lineups together. The health of the pitching staff will determine much as will Ted Lilly being able to throw innings and keep the ball down and Jason Marquis to bounce back. I'm not among those counting Marquis out. I gues spring training really is a time of optimism.

 

Bruce, heard you on the radio this morning raving about Izturis's defense. How valuable do you think that will be for this staff?

 

since neifi is rated similar defensively, i doubt that it will be a big enough improvement to really be noticed. that goes for cedeno as well.

 

just my 2 cents.

 

Are you implying that Cedeno played well defensively last year? I would definitely disagree with that if you were. I think he has more defensive potential then he showed last year, but he struggled there for long stretches of time.

 

Ronny made some brilliant plays last season, but the routine stuff gave him problems. He has the potential to be very much above average defensively at SS. The skills are there. The consistency is not.

[CubColtPacer]

Bruce,

There's a lot of optimism -- even giddyness -- on this board. At this point in the spring, it may be a little early to forecast the season, but are you optimistic about the team's chances this year?

Thanks for excellent journalism and for being a friend of this site.

 

I share that optimism, even if cautiously so. Lou seems genuinely to believe this is as much talent as he's had as a manager. I'm confident he'll put productive lineups together. The health of the pitching staff will determine much as will Ted Lilly being able to throw innings and keep the ball down and Jason Marquis to bounce back. I'm not among those counting Marquis out. I gues spring training really is a time of optimism.

 

Bruce, heard you on the radio this morning raving about Izturis's defense. How valuable do you think that will be for this staff?

 

since neifi is rated similar defensively, i doubt that it will be a big enough improvement to really be noticed. that goes for cedeno as well.

 

just my 2 cents.

 

Are you implying that Cedeno played well defensively last year? I would definitely disagree with that if you were. I think he has more defensive potential then he showed last year, but he struggled there for long stretches of time.

 

Ronny made some brilliant plays last season, but the routine stuff gave him problems. He has the potential to be very much above average defensively at SS. The skills are there. The consistency is not.

 

I would definitely agree that Ronny has the talent to be excellent defensively if he could just improve his consistency.

[Magnetic Curses]

Bruce,

There's a lot of optimism -- even giddyness -- on this board. At this point in the spring, it may be a little early to forecast the season, but are you optimistic about the team's chances this year?

Thanks for excellent journalism and for being a friend of this site.

 

I share that optimism, even if cautiously so. Lou seems genuinely to believe this is as much talent as he's had as a manager. I'm confident he'll put productive lineups together. The health of the pitching staff will determine much as will Ted Lilly being able to throw innings and keep the ball down and Jason Marquis to bounce back. I'm not among those counting Marquis out. I gues spring training really is a time of optimism.

 

Bruce, heard you on the radio this morning raving about Izturis's defense. How valuable do you think that will be for this staff?

 

since neifi is rated similar defensively, i doubt that it will be a big enough improvement to really be noticed. that goes for cedeno as well.

 

just my 2 cents.

 

Are you implying that Cedeno played well defensively last year? I would definitely disagree with that if you were. I think he has more defensive potential then he showed last year, but he struggled there for long stretches of time.

 

Ronny made some brilliant plays last season, but the routine stuff gave him problems. He has the potential to be very much above average defensively at SS. The skills are there. The consistency is not.

 

I would definitely agree that Ronny has the talent to be excellent defensively if he could just improve his consistency.

 

i'm saying that defense is not going to be a problem, nor was it last year, so it's not worth discussing, imo.

[CubColtPacer]

Bruce,

There's a lot of optimism -- even giddyness -- on this board. At this point in the spring, it may be a little early to forecast the season, but are you optimistic about the team's chances this year?

Thanks for excellent journalism and for being a friend of this site.

 

I share that optimism, even if cautiously so. Lou seems genuinely to believe this is as much talent as he's had as a manager. I'm confident he'll put productive lineups together. The health of the pitching staff will determine much as will Ted Lilly being able to throw innings and keep the ball down and Jason Marquis to bounce back. I'm not among those counting Marquis out. I gues spring training really is a time of optimism.

 

Bruce, heard you on the radio this morning raving about Izturis's defense. How valuable do you think that will be for this staff?

 

since neifi is rated similar defensively, i doubt that it will be a big enough improvement to really be noticed. that goes for cedeno as well.

 

just my 2 cents.

 

Are you implying that Cedeno played well defensively last year? I would definitely disagree with that if you were. I think he has more defensive potential then he showed last year, but he struggled there for long stretches of time.

 

Ronny made some brilliant plays last season, but the routine stuff gave him problems. He has the potential to be very much above average defensively at SS. The skills are there. The consistency is not.

 

I would definitely agree that Ronny has the talent to be excellent defensively if he could just improve his consistency.

 

i'm saying that defense is not going to be a problem, nor was it last year, so it's not worth discussing, imo.

 

I think defense at SS was a problem last year, and I think it will be a big upgrade this year. How much impact will that have on the team? I honestly don't know.

[USSoccer]

Keep in mind Izturis' injuries of late may have an appreciable effect on his defensive ability.

 

That and he's beyond terrible with the bat. His offensive lack of production will offset any defensive benefits he'll possibly provide.

 

What I'm saying is given our in house SS options, he's probably the 3rd best option in my world.

[CubColtPacer]

Keep in mind Izturis' injuries of late may have an appreciable effect on his defensive ability.

 

That and he's beyond terrible with the bat. His offensive lack of production will offset any defensive benefits he'll possibly provide.

 

What I'm saying is given our in house SS options, he's probably the 3rd best option in my world.

 

Maybe so, but the sad thing is that Izturis will still most likely be an upgrade both offensively and defensively over the Cubs SS's in 2006.

 

Edit: Another thing-the fact that people who are watching Izturis in spring training and are "raving" about his defensive skills, including apparently Bruce, tells me that he hasn't lost that much if at at all from the injuries defensively. How he responds with the bat, and if he continues his offensive progression before the injuries will be the big key.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce, have you heard anything solid on how short Marquis' leash is going to be? Such as, what if Angel Guzman is forcing the issue, or Neal Cotts, Wade Miller, etc., and Marquis starts right off with 6.00 ERA. Any clue just how many starts he's going to get to "turn it around"?

 

Thanks

 

They haven't begun to think in those terms yet.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

There's a lot of optimism -- even giddyness -- on this board. At this point in the spring, it may be a little early to forecast the season, but are you optimistic about the team's chances this year?

Thanks for excellent journalism and for being a friend of this site.

 

I share that optimism, even if cautiously so. Lou seems genuinely to believe this is as much talent as he's had as a manager. I'm confident he'll put productive lineups together. The health of the pitching staff will determine much as will Ted Lilly being able to throw innings and keep the ball down and Jason Marquis to bounce back. I'm not among those counting Marquis out. I gues spring training really is a time of optimism.

 

Bruce, heard you on the radio this morning raving about Izturis's defense. How valuable do you think that will be for this staff?

 

The pitchers already seem to like him. If he stays healthy, he can contribute greatly that way. The key is to make the routine plays.