Murton getting benched again for lesser player

[papabear58]

Last I checked, Murton hasn't been benched. Just sayin'.....but by all means, go on with the hyperbolic ranting

 

 

#-o ouch, that had to hurt

[brinoch]

Except that apparently Murton's now in a 50/50 platoon with Floyd. They've both started 4 games, and have about the same number of AB. Just saying, you know, since mentioning the fact that Murton's in a platoon is hyperbolic ranting.

[jersey cubs fan]

People don't seem to understand that 2006 happened and Floyd is no younger.

 

Floyd hasn't flat out destroyed the ball in quite a long time.

[NewUserName]

The Cubs are really not World Series contenders this year. I know the Cardinals backed into one last year but you would have to consider that the exception not the rule. I see no reason to play Cliff Floyd on a semi-regular bases unless it is in RF. Matt Murton should just be allowed to play regularly to help his development or to see if he is worth keeping in LF.

[Banedon]

Murton isn't exactly impressing me with his batting so far this year. I really like him, and I want to see him as the regular LF, but he needs to find the patience that he had last year, because this swinging at the first pitch crap isn't cutting it.

[Schwarber Fan]

Murton = 1 AB with game on the line and he swings at all 3 pitches and pops out

 

Floyd = 2-4, big single in 9th

 

I'm sticking with Cliff until Matt proves me otherwise...

[b_wiggy_66]

I'm starting to jump off the Matt Murton Bandwagon. He has looked lost at the plate all year thie year. Everyone on here, including myself, loved his patience. Well, that patience is not there anymore. He has had many bad looking swings and swung at three garbage pitches in the 9th today. I like our lineup better right now with Floyd in the lineup. We need all the power we can get with the way this offense has been playing.

[CubinNY]

I'm starting to jump off the Matt Murton Bandwagon. He has looked lost at the plate all year thie year. Everyone on here, including myself, loved his patience. Well, that patience is not there anymore. He has had many bad looking swings and swung at three garbage pitches in the 9th today. I like our lineup better right now with Floyd in the lineup. We need all the power we can get with the way this offense has been playing.

 

You shouldn't be surprized when a guy who doesn't get regular playing time struggles. You also shouldn't be surprized when a young player attempting to hang on in the bigs overcompensates and starts trying to hit his way into the starting line up. A platoon is never a good situation for a younger player. Once a guy gets labeled in baseball the label sticks. I'm sure Muton doesn't want to get the "platoon" player label. It will haunt him forever.

[NewUserName]

Murton = 1 AB with game on the line and he swings at all 3 pitches and pops out

 

Floyd = 2-4, big single in 9th

 

I'm sticking with Cliff until Matt proves me otherwise...

 

Do you really think this for the long term betterment of theteam

[Andy]

Murton = 1 AB with game on the line and he swings at all 3 pitches and pops out

 

Floyd = 2-4, big single in 9th

 

I'm sticking with Cliff until Matt proves me otherwise...

 

Do you really think this for the long term betterment of theteam

Ok, seriously, I love Murton, but it's not like we're holding back a sure-thing, .320/35/110 type player. Murt is what he is - a solid .300 hitter who can take a walk (at least until this year) and has 20-25 home run power. I'm not going to complain if Floyd keeps producing. I want to see Murton play, but if Floyd can put up the numbers, then fine. I really don't care where we get the numbers as long as we get them.

[Derwood]

Murton = 1 AB with game on the line and he swings at all 3 pitches and pops out

 

Floyd = 2-4, big single in 9th

 

I'm sticking with Cliff until Matt proves me otherwise...

 

Do you really think this for the long term betterment of theteam

 

how long term are you talking? The Cubs are (supposedly) built to win now, so no, I don't want a struggling-yet-promising hitter in the lineup over an aged-yet-producing veteran if it costs an already struggling offense runs

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Current lines

 

Floyd: .313/.353/.438/.791

Murton: .267/.313/.267/.580

 

Murton's line if he hits a double in his first AB tomorrow: .313/.353/.400/.753

Floyd's line if he goes 0 for 4 in his next start: .250/.286/.350/.636

 

Let's have this conversation about who's producing and who's struggling when they've actually gotten a chance to play.

[NewUserName]

Murton = 1 AB with game on the line and he swings at all 3 pitches and pops out

 

Floyd = 2-4, big single in 9th

 

I'm sticking with Cliff until Matt proves me otherwise...

 

Do you really think this for the long term betterment of theteam

 

how long term are you talking? The Cubs are (supposedly) built to win now, so no, I don't want a struggling-yet-promising hitter in the lineup over an aged-yet-producing veteran if it costs an already struggling offense runs

 

We are not built to win this year. If we were in the American league we would be lucky to be a .500 team. This is the same old pie in the sky chasing mediocrity crap that the Cubs have done for years. Bringing in past prime players to block young talented players time is what mediocre teams do. This is exactly the same kind of stuff that we hated about Dusty.

 

Also I wouldnt go as far as saying hitting .250 in 4 games in struggling. If we are going to use that mentality than Barrett needs to be benched also. Murton earned his time last year. A .800 ops in his first almost regular season. Only the stupid Cubs would even bring in a player to take time away from a young player who had that kind of first season. I dont see them taking time away from Jock. Why not? Whats the difference between him and Murton. AGE. Until the Cubs let young players play without hindering them with MEDIOCRE at best veterans they are not going to win a Championship.

[Derwood]

Murton = 1 AB with game on the line and he swings at all 3 pitches and pops out

 

Floyd = 2-4, big single in 9th

 

I'm sticking with Cliff until Matt proves me otherwise...

 

Do you really think this for the long term betterment of theteam

 

how long term are you talking? The Cubs are (supposedly) built to win now, so no, I don't want a struggling-yet-promising hitter in the lineup over an aged-yet-producing veteran if it costs an already struggling offense runs

 

We are not built to win this year. If we were in the American league we would be lucky to be a .500 team. This is the same old pie in the sky chasing mediocrity crap that the Cubs have done for years. Bringing in past prime players to block young talented players time is what mediocre teams do. This is exactly the same kind of stuff that we hated about Dusty.

 

Also I wouldnt go as far as saying hitting .250 in 4 games in struggling. If we are going to use that mentality than Barrett needs to be benched also. Murton earned his time last year. A .800 ops in his first almost regular season. Only the stupid Cubs would even bring in a player to take time away from a young player who had that kind of first season. I dont see them taking time away from Jock. Why not? Whats the difference between him and Murton. AGE. Until the Cubs let young players play without hindering them with MEDIOCRE at best veterans they are not going to win a Championship.

 

Goony, is that you?

[CubColtPacer]

Murton = 1 AB with game on the line and he swings at all 3 pitches and pops out

 

Floyd = 2-4, big single in 9th

 

I'm sticking with Cliff until Matt proves me otherwise...

 

Do you really think this for the long term betterment of theteam

 

how long term are you talking? The Cubs are (supposedly) built to win now, so no, I don't want a struggling-yet-promising hitter in the lineup over an aged-yet-producing veteran if it costs an already struggling offense runs

 

 

 

Also I wouldnt go as far as saying hitting .250 in 4 games in struggling. If we are going to use that mentality than Barrett needs to be benched also. Murton earned his time last year. A .800 ops in his first almost regular season. Only the stupid Cubs would even bring in a player to take time away from a young player who had that kind of first season. I dont see them taking time away from Jock. Why not? Whats the difference between him and Murton. AGE. Until the Cubs let young players play without hindering them with MEDIOCRE at best veterans they are not going to win a Championship.

 

First off, Floyd is not necessarily mediocre at best. Against right-handed pitching, he could be very dangerous (of course, the injuries could continue to cause him to decline as well). So far, his swings have shown him to be closer to the former, although the numbers haven't been completely there yet.

 

Second, there is one fundamental difference between Jacque and Murton besides age. Jacque plays a position that the only other players who can play it are infielders. Murton, however, plays a position that 3/5 of the bench can also play, including their most dangerous guy off the bench who can only play LF. Therefore, Jacque is going to see a good amount of playing time because there simply aren't that many options for RF if he doesn't play there. If they felt Murton could play RF, I'm sure they would start him against some right-handers there just like they are starting him against some of the right-handers in LF.

[abuck1220]

Murton = 1 AB with game on the line and he swings at all 3 pitches and pops out

 

Floyd = 2-4, big single in 9th

 

I'm sticking with Cliff until Matt proves me otherwise...

 

wow.

[NewUserName]

Murton = 1 AB with game on the line and he swings at all 3 pitches and pops out

 

Floyd = 2-4, big single in 9th

 

I'm sticking with Cliff until Matt proves me otherwise...

 

Do you really think this for the long term betterment of theteam

 

how long term are you talking? The Cubs are (supposedly) built to win now, so no, I don't want a struggling-yet-promising hitter in the lineup over an aged-yet-producing veteran if it costs an already struggling offense runs

 

 

 

Also I wouldnt go as far as saying hitting .250 in 4 games in struggling. If we are going to use that mentality than Barrett needs to be benched also. Murton earned his time last year. A .800 ops in his first almost regular season. Only the stupid Cubs would even bring in a player to take time away from a young player who had that kind of first season. I dont see them taking time away from Jock. Why not? Whats the difference between him and Murton. AGE. Until the Cubs let young players play without hindering them with MEDIOCRE at best veterans they are not going to win a Championship.

 

First off, Floyd is not necessarily mediocre at best. Against right-handed pitching, he could be very dangerous (of course, the injuries could continue to cause him to decline as well). So far, his swings have shown him to be closer to the former, although the numbers haven't been completely there yet.

 

Second, there is one fundamental difference between Jacque and Murton besides age. Jacque plays a position that the only other players who can play it are infielders. Murton, however, plays a position that 3/5 of the bench can also play, including their most dangerous guy off the bench who can only play LF. Therefore, Jacque is going to see a good amount of playing time because there simply aren't that many options for RF if he doesn't play there. If they felt Murton could play RF, I'm sure they would start him against some right-handers there just like they are starting him against some of the right-handers in LF.

 

How come a RH RF was not brought in then? Ward is certainly a waste of time in Floyd is on the team. Surely we could have gotten a 34 past prime RH that could play RF. This kind of move would have made the Cubs better this season. Like I said only the Cubs or any other mediocre thinking team would bring in a player that will take time away from their best young player who had a .800 ops in his first season.

 

Also it really doesnt make a difference how good Floyd is this year. Like I said we are not going to win the WS anyway. Floyd being good this year will only mean he is taking Murtons ABs next year also.

[VanceJergins]

How are so many people saying Murton can't take a walk anymore? That is ridiculous. He's had 16 ABs and had 1 BB. Lee has 33 ABs and 2 BBs. I can understand being frustrated with the way a team starts a season, but acting like a young playing has lost his game because of 16 ABs when he's not playing regularly is a bit much.

[Tracer Bullet]

Murton = 1 AB with game on the line and he swings at all 3 pitches and pops out

 

Floyd = 2-4, big single in 9th

 

I'm sticking with Cliff until Matt proves me otherwise...

 

Each day's lineup should be based entirely on performance the day before. That's why Lee and ARam have been trying so hard to keep their hit streaks going. They know if they go 0-for just once, there butt is on the pine, where it should be.

 

[/sarcasm]

[frostwyrm]

Murton = 1 AB with game on the line and he swings at all 3 pitches and pops out

 

Floyd = 2-4, big single in 9th

 

I'm sticking with Cliff until Matt proves me otherwise...

 

I've seen some short term thinking here but this is ridiculous. You're actually advocating letting a single at bat dictate who should play.

[Andy]

How are so many people saying Murton can't take a walk anymore? That is ridiculous. He's had 16 ABs and had 1 BB. Lee has 33 ABs and 2 BBs. I can understand being frustrated with the way a team starts a season, but acting like a young playing has lost his game because of 16 ABs when he's not playing regularly is a bit much.

This is one situation where the old adage "stats don't show you everything" is actually true. Lee has only 2 walks but clearly has shown patience at the plate and a willingness to work the count and wait for his pitch. It just happens he's getting "his pitch" more often than not (hence his .424 batting average).

 

Murton on the other hand is swinging at the first pitch more often than not. He's beating the ball into the ground (.267 SLG? You kidding?). He's not waiting for his pitch at all like we know he's capable of doing. Chalk that up to feeling pressure from Floyd's PT if you want, but he's not the Murton of 05 or 06 right now.

[jersey cubs fan]

(.267 SLG? You kidding?)

 

Seriously? You're commenting on his SLG right now? That's the same as Jacque Jones, who has started everyday and doesn't appear to be anywhere close to losing his job. That's basically one single worse than Soriano right now.

 

 

The absurdity in the Murton critiques is just beyond ridiculous right now. The guy hasn't played. He's been given the least amount of opportunities of any supposed regular, and is basically being used similar to how Ryan Theriot has been used. He's had one instance where he's started back to back games, and was substituted out after 2 at bats in that 2nd game.

[CubColtPacer]

(.267 SLG? You kidding?)

 

Seriously? You're commenting on his SLG right now? That's the same as Jacque Jones, who has started everyday and doesn't appear to be anywhere close to losing his job. That's basically one single worse than Soriano right now.

 

 

The absurdity in the Murton critiques is just beyond ridiculous right now. The guy hasn't played. He's been given the least amount of opportunities of any supposed regular, and is basically being used similar to how Ryan Theriot has been used. He's had one instance where he's started back to back games, and was substituted out after 2 at bats in that 2nd game.

 

All they are doing is responding to the people who are very upset that Murton is not starting every game-they are just saying that Floyd is deserving of plenty of playing time as well, and to do that, they have to point out Murton's struggles so far this year.

[jersey cubs fan]

All they are doing is responding to the people who are very upset that Murton is not starting every game-they are just saying that Floyd is deserving of plenty of playing time as well, and to do that, they have to point out Murton's struggles so far this year.

 

No they aren't. They are justifying that he's barely playing at all. Again, complaining about a lack of playing time isn't complaining about a not getting all the playing time. Just like complaining about a poor pitching performance isn't complaing about a lack of a perfect game.

[CubColtPacer]

All they are doing is responding to the people who are very upset that Murton is not starting every game-they are just saying that Floyd is deserving of plenty of playing time as well, and to do that, they have to point out Murton's struggles so far this year.

 

No they aren't. They are justifying that he's barely playing at all. Again, complaining about a lack of playing time isn't complaining about a not getting all the playing time. Just like complaining about a poor pitching performance isn't complaing about a lack of a perfect game.

 

There were at least 8-10 people complaining Friday night about Murton not playing in only his 2nd game that he didn't start. This thread was started when Murton had started 4 out of the 6 games decrying his lack of playing time.