Lou's take on the OF defense

[nilodnayr]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070226&content_id=1817199&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc&partnered=rss_chc

 

"I wouldn't call [the outfield defense] iffy, I really wouldn't," Piniella said. "Are we going to have the best outfield defense in baseball? Probably not. We're certainly more than capable of making all the plays, the routine plays, and a few extra, and that's what we're going to strive for."

 

This is exactly what we should be striving for on defense. Not spectacular, but not a problem. This is going to be a subject that gets completely overblown in the media because we don't have a proven OF and I've already read the opinion that we will have the worst OF in the league.

[ChiCubsFan]

Defense is overrated.

[PrimeTime]

Since were talking Piniella, I just found this quote from him on SportingNews.com

 

Cubs LF Matt Murton is hoping to hit more home runs than he did last season (13), but new Cubs manager Lou Piniella says Murton's focus should be elsewhere. "You have to learn to hit before you can develop your power," Piniella says. "If you can hit to the gaps, then you can build up to where you are hitting home runs."

[C.C.]

Since were talking Piniella, I just found this quote from him on SportingNews.com

 

Cubs LF Matt Murton is hoping to hit more home runs than he did last season (13), but new Cubs manager Lou Piniella says Murton's focus should be elsewhere. "You have to learn to hit before you can develop your power," Piniella says. "If you can hit to the gaps, then you can build up to where you are hitting home runs."

 

Unlike Dusty and his staff trying to get Murton to pull the ball for power.

[CuseCubFan69]

Since were talking Piniella, I just found this quote from him on SportingNews.com

 

Cubs LF Matt Murton is hoping to hit more home runs than he did last season (13), but new Cubs manager Lou Piniella says Murton's focus should be elsewhere. "You have to learn to hit before you can develop your power," Piniella says. "If you can hit to the gaps, then you can build up to where you are hitting home runs."

 

I agree Lou. Wow, a manager that actually knows what he's talking about.

[CuseCubFan69]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070226&content_id=1817199&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc&partnered=rss_chc

 

"I wouldn't call [the outfield defense] iffy, I really wouldn't," Piniella said. "Are we going to have the best outfield defense in baseball? Probably not. We're certainly more than capable of making all the plays, the routine plays, and a few extra, and that's what we're going to strive for."

 

This is exactly what we should be striving for on defense. Not spectacular, but not a problem. This is going to be a subject that gets completely overblown in the media because we don't have a proven OF and I've already read the opinion that we will have the worst OF in the league.

 

Freaky...I say that to my kids all the time.

[CubColtPacer]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070226&content_id=1817199&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc&partnered=rss_chc

 

"I wouldn't call [the outfield defense] iffy, I really wouldn't," Piniella said. "Are we going to have the best outfield defense in baseball? Probably not. We're certainly more than capable of making all the plays, the routine plays, and a few extra, and that's what we're going to strive for."

 

This is exactly what we should be striving for on defense. Not spectacular, but not a problem. This is going to be a subject that gets completely overblown in the media because we don't have a proven OF and I've already read the opinion that we will have the worst OF in the league.

 

It's possible that the Cubs do have the worst outfield defense in the league (but not the worst outfield). If they can make all the routine plays, I will be absolutely thrilled-with this outfield, I don't care about making the above and beyond plays. The whole key to the outfield defense is Soriano. If he can move very well laterally with good instincts, then the outfield will be ok, because at least Jones and Murton have decent to good range at their positions as well. If Soriano struggles a little bit moving laterally and getting to balls, then the outfield could be in trouble defensively, especially in the bigger ballparks and any times that they put Floyd/Soriano/Murton out there.

[Soul]

From what I saw last year, Murton has real difficulty judging some balls in the air -- especially when he gets near the wall. His arm is horrid. Soriano I have no idea about (which is an uncomfortable feeling), and Jones is pretty blah defensively.

 

If we can just be average out there it will be all that can be expected, IMO.

[CubColtPacer]

From what I saw last year, Murton has real difficulty judging some balls in the air -- especially when he gets near the wall. His arm is horrid. Soriano I have no idea about (which is an uncomfortable feeling), and Jones is pretty blah defensively.

 

If we can just be average out there it will be all that can be expected, IMO.

 

I definitely agree with the first part of that. Murton looks pretty good coming in, but when he gets near the wall he gets a little lost back there. I would only classify Murton's arm as average (maybe a little below, but not too much)-it's accurate and much stronger than Pierre's, although still not quite the strength you'd want for a left fielder. Overall, I think he's a pretty average fielder. Soriano as you said is a huge question mark, and Jones is hard to judge because he is pretty good at fielding, sometimes good at throwing, and sometimes absolutely awful at throwing. When you combine those 3 with having Floyd out there in the OF for 300-400 PA's (who struggles now to play LF), you have a potentially bad situation defensively.

[CuseCubFan69]

From what I saw last year, Murton has real difficulty judging some balls in the air -- especially when he gets near the wall. His arm is horrid. Soriano I have no idea about (which is an uncomfortable feeling), and Jones is pretty blah defensively.

 

If we can just be average out there it will be all that can be expected, IMO.

 

I definitely agree with the first part of that. Murton looks pretty good coming in, but when he gets near the wall he gets a little lost back there. I would only classify Murton's arm as average (maybe a little below, but not too much)-it's accurate and much stronger than Pierre's, although still not quite the strength you'd want for a left fielder. Overall, I think he's a pretty average fielder. Soriano as you said is a huge question mark, and Jones is hard to judge because he is pretty good at fielding, sometimes good at throwing, and sometimes absolutely awful at throwing. When you combine those 3 with having Floyd out there in the OF for 300-400 PA's (who struggles now to play LF), you have a potentially bad situation defensively.

 

I'm more afraid of seeing Floyd out there then anything. Soriano is a wildcard at this point and I hope he can play it at least play CF adequately enough to be effective. If he doesn't I wonder if the Cubs will push Jones out the door and pull up Pie.

[RichHillIsABeast]

From what I saw last year, Murton has real difficulty judging some balls in the air -- especially when he gets near the wall. His arm is horrid. Soriano I have no idea about (which is an uncomfortable feeling), and Jones is pretty blah defensively.

 

If we can just be average out there it will be all that can be expected, IMO.

 

Murton's arm isn't horrid. Remember the guy who doubled off Encarnacion at 1B? Murton's throw to the plate in the AJ/Barrett collision was decent and right on line, it just didn't get there in time.

 

Jones isn't blah defensively. He's actually very good, excepting the arm problems, which may have been caused by his shoulder woes.

 

Soriano has a very nice arm. He was at least ML average in LF by the end of last season. That's pretty impressive.

 

Basically, I'm not too worried about our OF defense. I think Jones will throw better, Murton will have a year's experience under his belt, and Soriano will improve each day. :D

[cheapseats]

As far as range goes, Murton, Floyd, Soriano, and Jones were all above average at their positions last year:

 

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/dialed_in/discussion/2006_national_league_gold_gloves_as_i_see_it/

 

Note that those ratings don't include throwing; that's why it's possible for Pierre to be at the top of the list.

 

Wrigley is supposed to be one of the easier parks in the league as far as CF defense, so with Soriano (or whomever) in CF, the defense should be just fine.

[sweetpeteman]

From what I saw last year, Murton has real difficulty judging some balls in the air -- especially when he gets near the wall. His arm is horrid. Soriano I have no idea about (which is an uncomfortable feeling), and Jones is pretty blah defensively.

 

If we can just be average out there it will be all that can be expected, IMO.

 

Murton's arm isn't horrid. Remember the guy who doubled off Encarnacion at 1B? Murton's throw to the plate in the AJ/Barrett collision was decent and right on line, it just didn't get there in time.

 

Jones isn't blah defensively. He's actually very good, excepting the arm problems, which may have been caused by his shoulder woes.

 

Soriano has a very nice arm. He was at least ML average in LF by the end of last season. That's pretty impressive.

 

Basically, I'm not too worried about our OF defense. I think Jones will throw better, Murton will have a year's experience under his belt, and Soriano will improve each day. :D

 

I really want to know where people get the idea that Murton's arm is horrible, because he keeps proving otherwise.

 

Also, playing CF has its advantages in being able to pick up the angle the ball is coming off the bat at a lot more quickly, and getting a better jump. I think Soriano will do fine.

[CuseCubFan69]

From what I saw last year, Murton has real difficulty judging some balls in the air -- especially when he gets near the wall. His arm is horrid. Soriano I have no idea about (which is an uncomfortable feeling), and Jones is pretty blah defensively.

 

If we can just be average out there it will be all that can be expected, IMO.

 

Murton's arm isn't horrid. Remember the guy who doubled off Encarnacion at 1B? Murton's throw to the plate in the AJ/Barrett collision was decent and right on line, it just didn't get there in time.

 

Jones isn't blah defensively. He's actually very good, excepting the arm problems, which may have been caused by his shoulder woes.

 

Soriano has a very nice arm. He was at least ML average in LF by the end of last season. That's pretty impressive.

 

Basically, I'm not too worried about our OF defense. I think Jones will throw better, Murton will have a year's experience under his belt, and Soriano will improve each day. :D

 

I really want to know where people get the idea that Murton's arm is horrible, because he keeps proving otherwise.

 

Also, playing CF has its advantages in being able to pick up the angle the ball is coming off the bat at a lot more quickly, and getting a better jump. I think Soriano will do fine.

 

I agree with you about Soriano but wait until he misjudges a flyball for the first time out there....will the press start the crap that they often do when someone is in a new position and struggle and will it effect Soriano? He may take over and steal the headlines of the Rameriz doesn't hustle theme.

[goonys evil twin]

Floyd is bad out there, but I think the rest of the crew is okay. Murton's arm troubles are way overblown. He was easily the best arm in the OF last year. While it's not a laser, it's accurate and acceptable. And that's what you expect from LF. The first, second and third concerns about your outfield should be offensive production. Defense is secondary, unless you're getting the equivalent of a little leaguer out there. As much trouble as he was last year, Jones wasn't even to the point of hurting the team defensively.

 

People have to remember that defense is not what has cost the Cubs. The #1 problem has been a lack of offense, with poor pitching a close 2nd.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Ask John Thomson about Floyd's defense. :lol:

[RichHillIsABeast]

From what I saw last year, Murton has real difficulty judging some balls in the air -- especially when he gets near the wall. His arm is horrid. Soriano I have no idea about (which is an uncomfortable feeling), and Jones is pretty blah defensively.

 

If we can just be average out there it will be all that can be expected, IMO.

 

Murton's arm isn't horrid. Remember the guy who doubled off Encarnacion at 1B? Murton's throw to the plate in the AJ/Barrett collision was decent and right on line, it just didn't get there in time.

 

Jones isn't blah defensively. He's actually very good, excepting the arm problems, which may have been caused by his shoulder woes.

 

Soriano has a very nice arm. He was at least ML average in LF by the end of last season. That's pretty impressive.

 

Basically, I'm not too worried about our OF defense. I think Jones will throw better, Murton will have a year's experience under his belt, and Soriano will improve each day. :D

 

I really want to know where people get the idea that Murton's arm is horrible, because he keeps proving otherwise.

 

Also, playing CF has its advantages in being able to pick up the angle the ball is coming off the bat at a lot more quickly, and getting a better jump. I think Soriano will do fine.

 

I agree with you about Soriano but wait until he misjudges a flyball for the first time out there....will the press start the crap that they often do when someone is in a new position and struggle and will it effect Soriano? He may take over and steal the headlines of the Rameriz doesn't hustle theme.

 

I don't think Lou will let that crap run on w/o coming to the defense of his player(s). I wouldn't want Lou pissed at me.

[CuseCubFan69]

From what I saw last year, Murton has real difficulty judging some balls in the air -- especially when he gets near the wall. His arm is horrid. Soriano I have no idea about (which is an uncomfortable feeling), and Jones is pretty blah defensively.

 

If we can just be average out there it will be all that can be expected, IMO.

 

Murton's arm isn't horrid. Remember the guy who doubled off Encarnacion at 1B? Murton's throw to the plate in the AJ/Barrett collision was decent and right on line, it just didn't get there in time.

 

Jones isn't blah defensively. He's actually very good, excepting the arm problems, which may have been caused by his shoulder woes.

 

Soriano has a very nice arm. He was at least ML average in LF by the end of last season. That's pretty impressive.

 

Basically, I'm not too worried about our OF defense. I think Jones will throw better, Murton will have a year's experience under his belt, and Soriano will improve each day. :D

 

I really want to know where people get the idea that Murton's arm is horrible, because he keeps proving otherwise.

 

Also, playing CF has its advantages in being able to pick up the angle the ball is coming off the bat at a lot more quickly, and getting a better jump. I think Soriano will do fine.

 

I agree with you about Soriano but wait until he misjudges a flyball for the first time out there....will the press start the crap that they often do when someone is in a new position and struggle and will it effect Soriano? He may take over and steal the headlines of the Rameriz doesn't hustle theme.

 

I don't think Lou will let that crap run on w/o coming to the defense of his player(s). I wouldn't want Lou pissed at me.

 

I'm sure Lou will be smart about it but I'm also sure hacks like Sullivan will run with it.