Murton = best 3rd string RF ever

[Warren Brusstar]

If Pie sticks with the big team then Murton is the clearest example I've ever seen of the opportunity cost of not making a trade outweighing what the player could contribute if kept. If made available Murton would be considered a viable everyday player for a lot of teams and his trade value would reflect that, so we could get a decent return for him. There's not a chance in hell he could contribute enough as a 3rd string RF to make it worthwhile not to cash in on his trade value.

 

I think you're over-estimating Murton's trade value. There simply aren't all that many teams that can afford his lack of power at a corner OF spot, and especially if he is going to play LF. I'm not sure of too many teams who would give up a decent return for him at all.

 

Now, the sad thing is that Murton definitely does have quite a bit of value to a team, and the way the Cubs are constructed with power at scarce spots they don't really need a huge power bat in LF. So Murton with his high OBP would have quite a bit of value to a team like the Cubs (and any team built like them) but apparently not right now with this team.

 

Cosign.

 

Corner outfielders that post .800 OPSes aren't exactly in short supply.

 

If you believe he reached his ceiling in his first full year. I think he'll be much closer to 875 in the coming years.

 

PECOTA disagrees.

[Tracer Bullet]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think).

[NewUserName]

Truth be told Hendry ran this offseason like he was Al Davis. Big Names Big Money. He did not objectively look at the longterm strengths and weaknesses of the team. Since his job was on the line he just threw money at stuff he thought would get us in the playoffs in our lousy division and save his job. Corner outfield was nowhere near the weakness of this team last year, yet that is what he seemed to concentrate on offensively. He also didnt see the value in Theriot and Murton longterm and brought in guys to cover there spots. No matter what WarrenBrusster said this offseason did more longterm damage to the Cubs than he wishes to acknowledge.

[CubColtPacer]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

He doesn't have to now-Floyd is not in the standard lineup either.

[soapy]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think).

 

But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there.

[CubColtPacer]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think).

 

But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there.

 

I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there.

[CubinNY]

If Pie sticks with the big team then Murton is the clearest example I've ever seen of the opportunity cost of not making a trade outweighing what the player could contribute if kept. If made available Murton would be considered a viable everyday player for a lot of teams and his trade value would reflect that, so we could get a decent return for him. There's not a chance in hell he could contribute enough as a 3rd string RF to make it worthwhile not to cash in on his trade value.

 

I think you're over-estimating Murton's trade value. There simply aren't all that many teams that can afford his lack of power at a corner OF spot, and especially if he is going to play LF. I'm not sure of too many teams who would give up a decent return for him at all.

 

Now, the sad thing is that Murton definitely does have quite a bit of value to a team, and the way the Cubs are constructed with power at scarce spots they don't really need a huge power bat in LF. So Murton with his high OBP would have quite a bit of value to a team like the Cubs (and any team built like them) but apparently not right now with this team.

 

Cosign.

 

Corner outfielders that post .800 OPSes aren't exactly in short supply.

 

If you believe he reached his ceiling in his first full year. I think he'll be much closer to 875 in the coming years.

 

PECOTA disagrees.

875 is not out of the question but it would be in the upper ranges.

 

Onlty CHONE projects Murton to be below 800 (.792) ops for this year. Bill James has him at 864 (high mark).

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=6307&position=OF

[soapy]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

He doesn't have to now-Floyd is not in the standard lineup either.

 

Right. Now he can just say Murton hasn't produced either, even though a) he hasn't really had a chance; and b) he's still just as good as Jones. Meanwhile the Cubs sink further into oblivion and nobody addresses the obvious problem...they can't get on base.

[soapy]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think).

 

But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there.

 

I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there.

 

Which will be only against LHP, while Jones starts in CF those days. YAY!!

[CubColtPacer]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

He doesn't have to now-Floyd is not in the standard lineup either.

 

Right. Now he can just say Murton hasn't produced either, even though a) he hasn't really had a chance; and b) he's still just as good as Jones. Meanwhile the Cubs sink further into oblivion and nobody addresses the obvious problem...they can't get on base.

 

I think the on-base problem won't be as big as people are projecting it to be. They are not in the bottom 10 of the majors this year, so that already is a significant improvement from last year. Then, when you look at the statistics, the only regular that is really too high on their OBP is Lee. The people who are lower OBP wise to what they were projected to do includes Soriano, Floyd, Izturis, Murton, Cedeno, Pie, and Blanco. If they return to what they are supposed to do, then this team should be in the top half of the league in OBP.

[CubinNY]

. If they return to what they are supposed to do, then this team should be in the top half of the league in OBP.

There is no way in hell that is going to happen.

[CubColtPacer]

. If they return to what they are supposed to do, then this team should be in the top half of the league in OBP.

There is no way in hell that is going to happen.

 

Why is that? They are 19th out of 30 in the majors, and 10th out of 16 in the NL. Are you saying they can't rise 4 spots in the majors and 2 spots in the NL? Like I said, if you look at the OBP the only one going to come down significantly is Lee. There are 5-6 players that should go up a decent amount, some significantly. So their OBP should rise as the season goes along.

[YearofDaCubs]

i KNEW signing Floyd was a bad idea. This is exactly why I wanted him not to be signed. Now look at what we are dealing with.

[Amazing_Grace]

Sadly, it appears that even though Lou promised Murton he would get him more playing time, he's going back on it.

 

I wouldn't care if Jones never played another game as a Cub. I see little reason to play him over Murton. I guess it's because he's a lefty.

 

I thought Floyd would see the bench more, and it seems he has a little bit more. No one's grabbed more bench than Murton though. Christ, it seems like Cedeno is playing more.

 

This team was put together like a bad erector set project gone terribly wrong. Now Lou isn't able to get players the play time they need to develop, and crusty vets with no purpose are out there sucking.

 

This is wonderful. Your 2007 Cubs, ladies and gentlemen.

 

You've just described every team Jim Hendry has put together since 2003.

[bobbyd20]

At least we have Jones signed through '08 :wink:

[Soul]

At least we have Jones signed through '08 :wink:

 

Just shoot me now.

[VanceJergins]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think).

 

But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there.

 

I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there.

 

If he's not 3rd in the pecking order then why is he getting significantly less starts than the other two? A conundrum.

[CubColtPacer]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think).

 

But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there.

 

I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there.

 

If he's not 3rd in the pecking order then why is he getting significantly less starts than the other two? A conundrum.

 

He's not third in the pecking order now. Jones is the primary RF. Murton will get the starts against LH's. Floyd will have quite a bit of trouble getting many starts at all until Jones is traded.

[VanceJergins]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think).

 

But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there.

 

I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there.

 

If he's not 3rd in the pecking order then why is he getting significantly less starts than the other two? A conundrum.

 

He's not third in the pecking order now. Jones is the primary RF. Murton will get the starts against LH's. Floyd will have quite a bit of trouble getting many starts at all until Jones is traded.

 

Floyd has started 50% of the games since Soriano has been back. Murton has started 0%. Its only 2 games, but I don't understand where your argument is coming from.

[CubColtPacer]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think).

 

But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there.

 

I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there.

 

If he's not 3rd in the pecking order then why is he getting significantly less starts than the other two? A conundrum.

 

He's not third in the pecking order now. Jones is the primary RF. Murton will get the starts against LH's. Floyd will have quite a bit of trouble getting many starts at all until Jones is traded.

 

Floyd has started 50% of the games since Soriano has been back. Murton has started 0%. Its only 2 games, but I don't understand where your argument is coming from.

 

Lou announced yesterday that in most games for a while, he has come to a set lineup. It includes Jones but not Floyd. Considering that Murton will still start against LH, that makes the only chance for a Floyd start something like possibly today when Soriano is likely sitting.

[VanceJergins]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think).

 

But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there.

 

I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there.

 

If he's not 3rd in the pecking order then why is he getting significantly less starts than the other two? A conundrum.

 

He's not third in the pecking order now. Jones is the primary RF. Murton will get the starts against LH's. Floyd will have quite a bit of trouble getting many starts at all until Jones is traded.

 

Floyd has started 50% of the games since Soriano has been back. Murton has started 0%. Its only 2 games, but I don't understand where your argument is coming from.

 

Lou announced yesterday that in most games for a while, he has come to a set lineup. It includes Jones but not Floyd. Considering that Murton will still start against LH, that makes the only chance for a Floyd start something like possibly today when Soriano is likely sitting.

 

Lou has said a lot of things that he hasn't stuck to. He politician'ed us over the offseason. I think that's where most of my disenchantedness comes from.

[jersey cubs fan]

Lou has said a lot of things that he hasn't stuck to. He politician'ed us over the offseason. I think that's where most of my disenchantedness comes from.

 

Yeah, Lou's actions haven't exactly matched up well with his words.

[NewUserName]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think).

 

But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there.

 

I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there.

 

If he's not 3rd in the pecking order then why is he getting significantly less starts than the other two? A conundrum.

 

He's not third in the pecking order now. Jones is the primary RF. Murton will get the starts against LH's. Floyd will have quite a bit of trouble getting many starts at all until Jones is traded.

 

Floyd has started 50% of the games since Soriano has been back. Murton has started 0%. Its only 2 games, but I don't understand where your argument is coming from.

 

Lou announced yesterday that in most games for a while, he has come to a set lineup. It includes Jones but not Floyd. Considering that Murton will still start against LH, that makes the only chance for a Floyd start something like possibly today when Soriano is likely sitting.

 

Does it not include Theriot either?

[CubColtPacer]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think).

 

But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there.

 

I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there.

 

If he's not 3rd in the pecking order then why is he getting significantly less starts than the other two? A conundrum.

 

He's not third in the pecking order now. Jones is the primary RF. Murton will get the starts against LH's. Floyd will have quite a bit of trouble getting many starts at all until Jones is traded.

 

Floyd has started 50% of the games since Soriano has been back. Murton has started 0%. Its only 2 games, but I don't understand where your argument is coming from.

 

Lou announced yesterday that in most games for a while, he has come to a set lineup. It includes Jones but not Floyd. Considering that Murton will still start against LH, that makes the only chance for a Floyd start something like possibly today when Soriano is likely sitting.

 

Does it not include Theriot either?

 

No, it doesn't include Theriot-but my guess is that Theriot will find a way to get a few starts anyway for resting people (like today) and of course Theriot will get plenty of playing time off of the bench even if he isn't starting.

[Warren Brusstar]

Remember when Lou was excused for "playing the hot hand" with Floyd? Good times...

 

Floyd and Murton now have the same OPS, while Murton has the superior OBP. In the last 7 days, Floyd is sporting a mind-boggling .301 OPS.

 

Better find a new "excuse", Lou.

 

I'm guessing the reason now is that Pie is up for his defensive prowess in CF, so that only leaves 1 spot for JJ, Floyd, and Murton (in that order, I think).

 

But I'd like to know why Murton is 3rd in the pecking order there.

 

I don't think he's 3rd in the pecking order. My guess is that while this situation continues that Murton will get the 2nd most starts there.

 

If he's not 3rd in the pecking order then why is he getting significantly less starts than the other two? A conundrum.

 

He's not third in the pecking order now. Jones is the primary RF. Murton will get the starts against LH's. Floyd will have quite a bit of trouble getting many starts at all until Jones is traded.

 

Floyd has started 50% of the games since Soriano has been back. Murton has started 0%. Its only 2 games, but I don't understand where your argument is coming from.

 

Lou announced yesterday that in most games for a while, he has come to a set lineup. It includes Jones but not Floyd. Considering that Murton will still start against LH, that makes the only chance for a Floyd start something like possibly today when Soriano is likely sitting.

 

Lou has said a lot of things that he hasn't stuck to. He politician'ed us over the offseason. I think that's where most of my disenchantedness comes from.

 

You know as well as I do that it doesn't matter one whit what he says.

 

Unless Murton plays everyday, there will be 50 posts a day here opining about about what an egregious injustice is being done.