Murton getting benched again for lesser player

[RichHillIsABeast]

Floyd's line is .320/.346/.400 through 26 plate appearances. That is solidly below average for a starting LF. Defensively he is mediocre at best and has no speed. He's old, fragile, and on the downside of his career. Then there's 25 year old Matt Murton, who has put up a .301/.368/.457 line through 685 MLB plate appearances. It's so classically Cub-like to go with Floyd. Besides the experience, I'm guessing it's the .320 BA that impresses. Old timey baseball dinosaurs are suckers for a high BA, even when it comes with other numbers that are below average.

 

That's nice, he's still one of the better hitters on this team. Even his outs are loud. You can't say the same for no XBH Murton and his IF dribblers.

 

Floyd hasn't cost us a run in the field and has hustled on the basepaths, beating out a DP and taking the extra base on several occaisions.

 

Floyd's OBP is currently 50 points higher than Murton's, so I'm not sure what you're getting at with the BA argument.

[Mephistopheles]

i cant believe we're looking at 26 pas lol.

 

anyways the average lf hits bout .275/.340/.440

 

 

why are you guys even looking at the stats so far? give me a break

[frostwyrm]

Floyd's line is .320/.346/.400 through 26 plate appearances. That is solidly below average for a starting LF. Defensively he is mediocre at best and has no speed. He's old, fragile, and on the downside of his career. Then there's 25 year old Matt Murton, who has put up a .301/.368/.457 line through 685 MLB plate appearances. It's so classically Cub-like to go with Floyd. Besides the experience, I'm guessing it's the .320 BA that impresses. Old timey baseball dinosaurs are suckers for a high BA, even when it comes with other numbers that are below average.

 

That's nice, he's still one of the better hitters on this team. Even his outs are loud. You can't say the same for no XBH Murton and his IF dribblers.

 

Floyd hasn't cost us a run in the field and has hustled on the basepaths, beating out a DP and taking the extra base on several occaisions.

 

Floyd's OBP is currently 50 points higher than Murton's, so I'm not sure what you're getting at with the BA argument.

 

So after 17 plate appearances in sporadic action Murton is a bum? Talk about a short leash. I'm basing my opinions on what he's done in the 650+ AB's prior to this season, as well as his age. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that if Lou continues to give Murt starts only vs. LHP and sporadic PH opportunities then his Cubs career is probably already finished if Floyd can stay healthy. Even Jim Hendry is smart enough to see that Murt is more valuable as trade bait than as the RH half of a platoon.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Floyd's line is .320/.346/.400 through 26 plate appearances. That is solidly below average for a starting LF. Defensively he is mediocre at best and has no speed. He's old, fragile, and on the downside of his career. Then there's 25 year old Matt Murton, who has put up a .301/.368/.457 line through 685 MLB plate appearances. It's so classically Cub-like to go with Floyd. Besides the experience, I'm guessing it's the .320 BA that impresses. Old timey baseball dinosaurs are suckers for a high BA, even when it comes with other numbers that are below average.

 

That's nice, he's still one of the better hitters on this team. Even his outs are loud. You can't say the same for no XBH Murton and his IF dribblers.

 

Floyd hasn't cost us a run in the field and has hustled on the basepaths, beating out a DP and taking the extra base on several occaisions.

 

Floyd's OBP is currently 50 points higher than Murton's, so I'm not sure what you're getting at with the BA argument.

 

So after 17 plate appearances in sporadic action Murton is a bum? Talk about a short leash. I'm basing my opinions on what he's done in the 650+ AB's prior to this season, as well as his age. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that if Lou continues to give Murt starts only vs. LHP and sporadic PH opportunities then his Cubs career is probably already finished if Floyd can stay healthy. Even Jim Hendry is smart enough to see that Murt is more valuable as trade bait than as the RH half of a platoon.

 

Who said he was the RH half of a platoon? All we've seen is Murton struggling and Floyd performing fairly well. What is there to complain about exactly? The guy who is producing will play. Murton is not producing right now. Will he? Of course. I'm not worried about that at all.

[frostwyrm]

Who said he was the RH half of a platoon? All we've seen is Murton struggling and Floyd performing fairly well. What is there to complain about exactly? The guy who is producing will play. Murton is not producing right now. Will he? Of course. I'm not worried about that at all.

 

Nobody said Murton's the RH half of a platoon, but it's pretty obvious that's the direction things are heading towards. And since you want to disregard 2006 numbers and bench somebody based on 17 scattered PA's then bench Soriano, who's had plenty more than 17 PA's and has sucked. Who cares what he did last year? Put Theriot in CF.

 

i cant believe we're looking at 26 pas lol.

 

anyways the average lf hits bout .275/.340/.440

 

 

why are you guys even looking at the stats so far? give me a break

 

I agree it's goofy to look at only 26 PA's, but since people are doing it I just like to point that Floyd's 26 PA's really haven't been anything special, certainly not special enough to make me disregard Murton 650+ PA's coming into this season.

[Soul]

Are we going to rehash this every time Floyd starts over Murton, all season?

 

Just want to know up front.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Are we going to rehash this every time Floyd starts over Murton, all season?

 

Just want to know up front.

 

Count on it.

[NewUserName]

Floyd's line is .320/.346/.400 through 26 plate appearances. That is solidly below average for a starting LF. Defensively he is mediocre at best and has no speed. He's old, fragile, and on the downside of his career. Then there's 25 year old Matt Murton, who has put up a .301/.368/.457 line through 685 MLB plate appearances. It's so classically Cub-like to go with Floyd. Besides the experience, I'm guessing it's the .320 BA that impresses. Old timey baseball dinosaurs are suckers for a high BA, even when it comes with other numbers that are below average.

 

That's nice, he's still one of the better hitters on this team. Even his outs are loud. You can't say the same for no XBH Murton and his IF dribblers.

 

Floyd hasn't cost us a run in the field and has hustled on the basepaths, beating out a DP and taking the extra base on several occaisions.

 

Floyd's OBP is currently 50 points higher than Murton's, so I'm not sure what you're getting at with the BA argument.

 

 

All I have to say is you can bring in past prime players and make excuses how they should play all you want. Keep it up and in another 100 years we will be talking about 200 years without a championship.

[Sosa21MVP]

Floyd's line is .320/.346/.400 through 26 plate appearances. That is solidly below average for a starting LF. Defensively he is mediocre at best and has no speed. He's old, fragile, and on the downside of his career. Then there's 25 year old Matt Murton, who has put up a .301/.368/.457 line through 685 MLB plate appearances. It's so classically Cub-like to go with Floyd. Besides the experience, I'm guessing it's the .320 BA that impresses. Old timey baseball dinosaurs are suckers for a high BA, even when it comes with other numbers that are below average.

 

That's nice, he's still one of the better hitters on this team. Even his outs are loud. You can't say the same for no XBH Murton and his IF dribblers.

 

Floyd hasn't cost us a run in the field and has hustled on the basepaths, beating out a DP and taking the extra base on several occaisions.

 

Floyd's OBP is currently 50 points higher than Murton's, so I'm not sure what you're getting at with the BA argument.

 

 

All I have to say is you can bring in past prime players and make excuses how they should play all you want. Keep it up and in another 100 years we will be talking about 200 years without a championship.

 

Yeah, I'm sure the difference between Matt Murton and Cliff Floyd is that critical. :lol:

[NewUserName]

Floyd's line is .320/.346/.400 through 26 plate appearances. That is solidly below average for a starting LF. Defensively he is mediocre at best and has no speed. He's old, fragile, and on the downside of his career. Then there's 25 year old Matt Murton, who has put up a .301/.368/.457 line through 685 MLB plate appearances. It's so classically Cub-like to go with Floyd. Besides the experience, I'm guessing it's the .320 BA that impresses. Old timey baseball dinosaurs are suckers for a high BA, even when it comes with other numbers that are below average.

 

That's nice, he's still one of the better hitters on this team. Even his outs are loud. You can't say the same for no XBH Murton and his IF dribblers.

 

Floyd hasn't cost us a run in the field and has hustled on the basepaths, beating out a DP and taking the extra base on several occaisions.

 

Floyd's OBP is currently 50 points higher than Murton's, so I'm not sure what you're getting at with the BA argument.

 

 

All I have to say is you can bring in past prime players and make excuses how they should play all you want. Keep it up and in another 100 years we will be talking about 200 years without a championship.

 

Yeah, I'm sure the difference between Matt Murton and Cliff Floyd is that critical. :lol:

 

Its an example of how the Cubs have been run all my life. Dont trust young players to preform. Bring in past prime players to compete with them. Past prime players play, youngsters sit. This is bigger than who should play between Floyd and Murton. Like I said, If we were legitimate WS contenders, I would be for this. Please do not compare us to last years Cardinals. Teams that outmatched winning WS only happens once every 20 years or so. PLAYING FLOYD WILL NOT HELP THE CUBS WIN A WORLD SERIES. Playing Matt Murton might. It is the same stupid Idea that our best pitcher since August of last year just got his 2nd start today. A guy with a ERA over 6 last year already has had 2 starts. Zambrano who got shelled in his first start against the Reds got moved up for his 3rd start. Why? Because even though Hill has produced he isnt trusted because he is young. Why isnt Murton playing even though he has produced? Why hasnt Soriano been benched? Why hasnt Izturis been benched? Why wasnt a RH hitting platoon partner for Jones brought in even though that would have been more beneficial to the team than a platoon partner for Murton. The reason is because Murton is young. The Cubs and their fans do not trust young players. Consistent winning teams bring up young players and play them. The Cubs look for reasons not to play them. So in 100 years my great great grandchildren will be talking about how its been 200 years, But Cliff Floyd put up a great season in 2007.

[B]

Its an example of how the Cubs have been run all my life. Dont trust young players to preform. Bring in past prime players to compete with them. Past prime players play, youngsters sit. This is bigger than who should play between Floyd and Murton. Like I said, If we were legitimate WS contenders, I would be for this. Please do not compare us to last years Cardinals. Teams that outmatched winning WS only happens once every 20 years or so. PLAYING FLOYD WILL NOT HELP THE CUBS WIN A WORLD SERIES. Playing Matt Murton might. It is the same stupid Idea that our best pitcher since August of last year just got his 2nd start today. A guy with a ERA over 6 last year already has had 2 starts. Zambrano who got shelled in his first start against the Reds got moved up for his 3rd start. Why? Because even though Hill has produced he isnt trusted because he is young. Why isnt Murton playing even though he has produced? Why hasnt Soriano been benched? Why hasnt Izturis been benched? Why wasnt a RH hitting platoon partner for Jones brought in even though that would have been more beneficial to the team than a platoon partner for Murton. The reason is because Murton is young. The Cubs and their fans do not trust young players. Consistent winning teams bring up young players and play them. The Cubs look for reasons not to play them. So in 100 years my great great grandchildren will be talking about how its been 200 years, But Cliff Floyd put up a great season in 2007.

 

Do you really want an answer to that question?

[Laura]

Dave van Dyck / The Tribune[/url]"] Even though Matt Murton started 122 games in left field for the Cubs last year, he is taking his decreased playing time this season like a good soldier.

 

Because of the off-season acquisition of Cliff Floyd, Murton has started only four of 10 games and is hitless in his three at-bats since starting last Sunday.

 

"You talk to anybody in this [locker] room, they would like to be on the field every day,," Murton said. "You can say you're disappointed or frustrated, but at the same time, anybody would say that. Cliff would say the same thing.

 

"So I'm really not disappointed. I'm here and part of the team … in a city like this, and when I get an opportunity, I'm going to take advantage of it."

 

Piniella is torn with the situation, taking a long pause when asked about playing time in left for Murton and Floyd.

 

"One thing I pride myself in is being fair and playing everybody," he said. "It hurts me. I told Matt [Friday], just be a little patient with me and I told him I appreciated it."

 

Part of the problem is that if it becomes a strict platoon, Murton will not get nearly as many at-bats because left-handed pitchers are not that common.

 

"You have to have a little left-handed hitting in your lineup just to balance it a little bit," Piniella said. "Look, Murton's going to get playing time. I like the kid and I like his bat."

[brinoch]

As expected. A platoon with Murton and Floyd. Thanks Hendry. Much more beneficial to the team would be a platoon with Jones. But, hey, had to go and sign a 34 year old Cliff Floyd. It's not like you're a good GM who understands that Jones can't hit lefties to save his life or anything.

 

And, Lou, "too right-handed"? Sounds like an excuse to play the veteran. Just like you did in TB. Ah, Cubs baseball, lifetimes of futility in just one franchise.

[Fred Hornkohl]

As expected. A platoon with Murton and Floyd. Thanks Hendry. Much more beneficial to the team would be a platoon with Jones. But, hey, had to go and sign a 34 year old Cliff Floyd. It's not like you're a good GM who understands that Jones can't hit lefties to save his life or anything.

 

And, Lou, "too right-handed"? Sounds like an excuse to play the veteran. Just like you did in TB. Ah, Cubs baseball, lifetimes of futility in just one franchise.

 

I know it's only 1 game...... but Jones has not started against a lefty yet this year.

[brinoch]

Oh, and in case people were wondering, I'd move Soriano back to 2B -- replacing DeRosa. I'd then play Jones, Floyd and Murton in the OF.

 

There's no reason to think absolutely linearly about things. A manager should try and play his best 8 field players. Soriano gives you the flexibility to get Murton, Floyd AND Jones in the lineup.

[brinoch]

As expected. A platoon with Murton and Floyd. Thanks Hendry. Much more beneficial to the team would be a platoon with Jones. But, hey, had to go and sign a 34 year old Cliff Floyd. It's not like you're a good GM who understands that Jones can't hit lefties to save his life or anything.

 

And, Lou, "too right-handed"? Sounds like an excuse to play the veteran. Just like you did in TB. Ah, Cubs baseball, lifetimes of futility in just one franchise.

 

I know it's only 1 game...... but Jones has not started against a lefty yet this year.

 

Fred, this season means nothing so far. But, the off-season. Well, that's a pickle, now isn't it? Where was the platoon acquisition? C'mon, Hendry doesn't understand stats or doesn't want to understand stats. They don't have a focus on it, and that's been clear for a long time.

 

There's really no defense of Hendry available on this one, as I'm sure you well know.

[Sosa21MVP]

PLAYING FLOYD WILL NOT HELP THE CUBS WIN A WORLD SERIES. Playing Matt Murton might.

 

Wow. So the Cubs World Series hopes rest on the who wins the classic good/evil battle between Cliff Floyd and Matt Murton.

 

Alright then! :lol:

[Fred Hornkohl]

As expected. A platoon with Murton and Floyd. Thanks Hendry. Much more beneficial to the team would be a platoon with Jones. But, hey, had to go and sign a 34 year old Cliff Floyd. It's not like you're a good GM who understands that Jones can't hit lefties to save his life or anything.

 

And, Lou, "too right-handed"? Sounds like an excuse to play the veteran. Just like you did in TB. Ah, Cubs baseball, lifetimes of futility in just one franchise.

 

I know it's only 1 game...... but Jones has not started against a lefty yet this year.

 

Fred, this season means nothing so far. But, the off-season. Well, that's a pickle, now isn't it? Where was the platoon acquisition? C'mon, Hendry doesn't understand stats or doesn't want to understand stats. They don't have a focus on it, and that's been clear for a long time.

 

There's really no defense of Hendry available on this one, as I'm sure you well know.

 

Not necessarily trying to defend Hendry, but maybe Piniella ?? Time will tell.

[brinoch]

PLAYING FLOYD WILL NOT HELP THE CUBS WIN A WORLD SERIES. Playing Matt Murton might.

 

Wow. So the Cubs World Series hopes rest on the who wins the classic good/evil battle between Cliff Floyd and Matt Murton.

 

Alright then! :lol:

 

No, but a 25 year-old player is likely still going to improve. A 34 year-old is very likely to regress.

 

       AVG     OBP     SLG
Floyd  0.261	0.346	0.465
Murton 0.302	0.368	0.456

 

These are three year averages for Murton and Floyd (only MLB AB's). Who would you rather have playing?

[Soul]

PLAYING FLOYD WILL NOT HELP THE CUBS WIN A WORLD SERIES. Playing Matt Murton might.

 

Wow. So the Cubs World Series hopes rest on the who wins the classic good/evil battle between Cliff Floyd and Matt Murton.

 

Alright then! :lol:

 

No, but a 25 year-old player is likely still going to improve. A 34 year-old is very likely to regress.

 

       AVG     OBP     SLG
Floyd  0.261	0.346	0.465
Murton 0.302	0.368	0.456

 

These are three year averages for Murton and Floyd (only MLB AB's). Who would you rather have playing?

 

I'd rather have both guys playing, each in the appropriate situations.

 

Murton's likely to improve, and he's also likely to be a Cub for a while. He'll get plenty of ABs, plenty of chances to improve this year, plenty of chances to contribute.

[brinoch]

PLAYING FLOYD WILL NOT HELP THE CUBS WIN A WORLD SERIES. Playing Matt Murton might.

 

Wow. So the Cubs World Series hopes rest on the who wins the classic good/evil battle between Cliff Floyd and Matt Murton.

 

Alright then! :lol:

 

No, but a 25 year-old player is likely still going to improve. A 34 year-old is very likely to regress.

 

       AVG     OBP     SLG
Floyd  0.261	0.346	0.465
Murton 0.302	0.368	0.456

 

These are three year averages for Murton and Floyd (only MLB AB's). Who would you rather have playing?

 

I'd rather have both guys playing, each in the appropriate situations.

 

Murton's likely to improve, and he's also likely to be a Cub for a while. He'll get plenty of ABs, plenty of chances to improve this year, plenty of chances to contribute.

 

I'd play Murton almost every day. He has upside whereas Floyd does not. Moreover, since Murton is likely to be a Cub for a long time, it would behoove me to develop him as quickly as possible. Otherwise, we might bring in another veteran over him. Since, you know, he doesn't have experience.

 

Since I'd play Murton almost all the time, when would you play him?

 

And what is the cost to the franchise since Murton's development will be stunted. And, how many outs do you sacrifice with Floyd's lesser OBP?

[frostwyrm]

As expected. A platoon with Murton and Floyd. Thanks Hendry. Much more beneficial to the team would be a platoon with Jones. But, hey, had to go and sign a 34 year old Cliff Floyd. It's not like you're a good GM who understands that Jones can't hit lefties to save his life or anything.

 

And, Lou, "too right-handed"? Sounds like an excuse to play the veteran. Just like you did in TB. Ah, Cubs baseball, lifetimes of futility in just one franchise.

 

Yeah, this is another complaint I have. If the org. was bound and determined to turn Matt Murton into a platoon player then they already had the guy who is screaming to be his platoon partner: Jacque Jones. If they really wanted to sign Floyd and platoon him then it's not hard to find somebody who can play LF and hit passably vs. LHP. How about Ryan Theriot? Or maybe bring back some cheap vet like Michael Restovich.

[synergy]

PLAYING FLOYD WILL NOT HELP THE CUBS WIN A WORLD SERIES. Playing Matt Murton might.

 

Wow. So the Cubs World Series hopes rest on the who wins the classic good/evil battle between Cliff Floyd and Matt Murton.

 

Alright then! :lol:

 

No, but a 25 year-old player is likely still going to improve. A 34 year-old is very likely to regress.

 

       AVG     OBP     SLG
Floyd  0.261	0.346	0.465
Murton 0.302	0.368	0.456

 

These are three year averages for Murton and Floyd (only MLB AB's). Who would you rather have playing?

 

I'd rather have both guys playing, each in the appropriate situations.

 

Murton's likely to improve, and he's also likely to be a Cub for a while. He'll get plenty of ABs, plenty of chances to improve this year, plenty of chances to contribute.

 

I'd play Murton almost every day. He has upside whereas Floyd does not. Moreover, since Murton is likely to be a Cub for a long time, it would behoove me to develop him as quickly as possible. Otherwise, we might bring in another veteran over him. Since, you know, he doesn't have experience.

 

Since I'd play Murton almost all the time, when would you play him?

 

And what is the cost to the franchise since Murton's development will be stunted. And, how many outs do you sacrifice with Floyd's lesser OBP?

 

Actually you are wrong here.....Murton is not expected to be a starting OF for the future from what I know. The two outfielders they're expecting in the future are Pie and Colvin. Once Pie comes up, he will be the CF and Soriano will move to LF. Colvin will then go to RF. This is the reason for the limited play time of Murton.

[VanceJergins]

PLAYING FLOYD WILL NOT HELP THE CUBS WIN A WORLD SERIES. Playing Matt Murton might.

 

Wow. So the Cubs World Series hopes rest on the who wins the classic good/evil battle between Cliff Floyd and Matt Murton.

 

Alright then! :lol:

 

No, but a 25 year-old player is likely still going to improve. A 34 year-old is very likely to regress.

 

       AVG     OBP     SLG
Floyd  0.261	0.346	0.465
Murton 0.302	0.368	0.456

 

These are three year averages for Murton and Floyd (only MLB AB's). Who would you rather have playing?

 

I'd rather have both guys playing, each in the appropriate situations.

 

Murton's likely to improve, and he's also likely to be a Cub for a while. He'll get plenty of ABs, plenty of chances to improve this year, plenty of chances to contribute.

 

I'd play Murton almost every day. He has upside whereas Floyd does not. Moreover, since Murton is likely to be a Cub for a long time, it would behoove me to develop him as quickly as possible. Otherwise, we might bring in another veteran over him. Since, you know, he doesn't have experience.

 

Since I'd play Murton almost all the time, when would you play him?

 

And what is the cost to the franchise since Murton's development will be stunted. And, how many outs do you sacrifice with Floyd's lesser OBP?

 

Actually you are wrong here.....Murton is not expected to be a starting OF for the future from what I know. The two outfielders they're expecting in the future are Pie and Colvin. Once Pie comes up, he will be the CF and Soriano will move to LF. Colvin will then go to RF. This is the reason for the limited play time of Murton.

 

I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous. You can't give someone limited time because you think a player thats currently in A ball will take his place. Counting on Pie is one thing, but you can't count on A ball players. And Pie will probably either take Jones' spot, or Soriano will switch to RF and Pie will go to CF, probably the latter.

[frostwyrm]

PLAYING FLOYD WILL NOT HELP THE CUBS WIN A WORLD SERIES. Playing Matt Murton might.

 

Wow. So the Cubs World Series hopes rest on the who wins the classic good/evil battle between Cliff Floyd and Matt Murton.

 

Alright then! :lol:

 

No, but a 25 year-old player is likely still going to improve. A 34 year-old is very likely to regress.

 

       AVG     OBP     SLG
Floyd  0.261	0.346	0.465
Murton 0.302	0.368	0.456

 

These are three year averages for Murton and Floyd (only MLB AB's). Who would you rather have playing?

 

I'd rather have both guys playing, each in the appropriate situations.

 

Murton's likely to improve, and he's also likely to be a Cub for a while. He'll get plenty of ABs, plenty of chances to improve this year, plenty of chances to contribute.

 

I'd play Murton almost every day. He has upside whereas Floyd does not. Moreover, since Murton is likely to be a Cub for a long time, it would behoove me to develop him as quickly as possible. Otherwise, we might bring in another veteran over him. Since, you know, he doesn't have experience.

 

Since I'd play Murton almost all the time, when would you play him?

 

And what is the cost to the franchise since Murton's development will be stunted. And, how many outs do you sacrifice with Floyd's lesser OBP?

 

Actually you are wrong here.....Murton is not expected to be a starting OF for the future from what I know. The two outfielders they're expecting in the future are Pie and Colvin. Once Pie comes up, he will be the CF and Soriano will move to LF. Colvin will then go to RF. This is the reason for the limited play time of Murton.

 

In that case it's still dumb how they're handling Murton. If he were made available for trade today I'm sure he would be perceived by multiple teams as a viable everyday player with upside and his trade value would reflect that. The opportunity cost of not trading him would greatly outweigh any benefit he would bring as a one year stopgap platoon player who only starts maybe twice a week. If your scenario is correct then Murton should have already been traded.