Rapada called up, Murton sent down

[CubColtPacer]

4)Gallagher demotion. Since he didn't pitch last night, and he's the long man, I don't know why they'd send him down tonight. It wouldn't make sense if the bullpen is tired to send down a fresh long reliever for a short reliever.

 

All the other options are very unlikely.

 

I thought of Gallagher as well, but he did pitch last night, 1/3rd of an inning according to the box score.

 

Good catch-I forgot he had to come in for Ohman and pitch to 1 batter in the 13th.

[USSoccer]

Do we really need a 13 man pitching staff?

 

This is ridiculous. Not because they sent Murton down, because I'd rather he play than sit, but because it didn't need to come to this.

 

Jim Hendry has no idea how to manage the 40 man, and Lou has no idea how to handle a bullpen.

[jersey cubs fan]

Hopefully Murton can get it back on track in AAA. He just hasn't come around so far this year. I don't think it's all the splitting time thing, because he didn't have a good grasp of his job in either 2005 or parts of 2006. Playing everyday though might let him figure out what's causing his slump and correct it. The Cubs could use his 2005/2006 numbers in the second half, and I still think he could be a valuable component to this year's team.

 

Hopefully this means that Floyd gets most of the at-bats in right field for now.

 

I don't see how anybody could possibly think it's not about the lack of consistent time.

[BigbadB]

Do we really need a 13 man pitching staff?

 

This is ridiculous. Not because they sent Murton down, because I'd rather he play than sit, but because it didn't need to come to this.

 

Jim Hendry has no idea how to manage the 40 man, and Lou has no idea how to handle a bullpen.

 

After last night's game, yeah, they probably do need a 13 man staff for the next few days.

[TruffleShuffle]

gotta love it... cubs take a guy who put up a .365 OBP and an OPS over 800 in essentially his rookie year and make him a platoon player, tearing down his confidence. This Floyd signing was and will continue to be a complete disaster.

[Tracer Bullet]

Hopefully Murton can get it back on track in AAA. He just hasn't come around so far this year. I don't think it's all the splitting time thing, because he didn't have a good grasp of his job in either 2005 or parts of 2006. Playing everyday though might let him figure out what's causing his slump and correct it. The Cubs could use his 2005/2006 numbers in the second half, and I still think he could be a valuable component to this year's team.

 

Hopefully this means that Floyd gets most of the at-bats in right field for now.

 

I don't see how anybody could possibly think it's not about the lack of consistent time.

 

No kidding. Good track record in the minors. Good player in basically a full year in MLB. Suddenly can't find it when he's put in a platoon of sorts (a very random one, at that). Seems to me, if you're looking for a culprit, you have to at least start w/ the lack of consistent playing time, don't you?

[Chocolate Milk]

gotta love it... cubs take a guy who put up a .365 OBP and an OPS over 800 in essentially his rookie year and make him a platoon player, tearing down his confidence. This Floyd signing was and will continue to be a complete disaster.

 

Murton has truely gotten the shaft from the Cubs. Here they have a player who has promise, reasonable production, and is inexpensive, they find the way to use him the least.

[Tracer Bullet]

gotta love it... cubs take a guy who put up a .365 OBP and an OPS over 800 in essentially his rookie year and make him a platoon player, tearing down his confidence. This Floyd signing was and will continue to be a complete disaster.

 

It's a wonder the Cubs haven't developed dozens of fantastic prospects using this method.

 

We have a good, young LF - let's acquire 2 LFs in the off season! Can never have too many LFs.

[XZero771679666304]

Hopefully Murton can get it back on track in AAA. He just hasn't come around so far this year. I don't think it's all the splitting time thing, because he didn't have a good grasp of his job in either 2005 or parts of 2006. Playing everyday though might let him figure out what's causing his slump and correct it. The Cubs could use his 2005/2006 numbers in the second half, and I still think he could be a valuable component to this year's team.

 

Hopefully this means that Floyd gets most of the at-bats in right field for now.

 

I don't see how anybody could possibly think it's not about the lack of consistent time.

 

No kidding. Good track record in the minors. Good player in basically a full year in MLB. Suddenly can't find it when he's put in a platoon of sorts (a very random one, at that). Seems to me, if you're looking for a culprit, you have to at least start w/ the lack of consistent playing time, don't you?

 

It's as clear as day. Matt just looks like a completely different player in this ridiculous "platoon", from his approach to the results. He looks lost.

[CubColtPacer]

Hopefully Murton can get it back on track in AAA. He just hasn't come around so far this year. I don't think it's all the splitting time thing, because he didn't have a good grasp of his job in either 2005 or parts of 2006. Playing everyday though might let him figure out what's causing his slump and correct it. The Cubs could use his 2005/2006 numbers in the second half, and I still think he could be a valuable component to this year's team.

 

Hopefully this means that Floyd gets most of the at-bats in right field for now.

 

I don't see how anybody could possibly think it's not about the lack of consistent time.

 

No kidding. Good track record in the minors. Good player in basically a full year in MLB. Suddenly can't find it when he's put in a platoon of sorts (a very random one, at that). Seems to me, if you're looking for a culprit, you have to at least start w/ the lack of consistent playing time, don't you?

 

He was playing well in a platoon in July/August of last year. He played well in a platoon in July of 05. That's 3 of the best 5 months of his career in the major leagues. Murton showed consistently before this year that he could play well when he wasn't getting every at-bat. I don't see why that would suddenly change this year.

[BigbadB]

Do we really need a 13 man pitching staff?

 

Since Saturday, the Cubs bullpen has pitched 21 1/3 innings.

[jersey cubs fan]

Do we really need a 13 man pitching staff?

 

This is ridiculous. Not because they sent Murton down, because I'd rather he play than sit, but because it didn't need to come to this.

 

Jim Hendry has no idea how to manage the 40 man, and Lou has no idea how to handle a bullpen.

 

No, we don't need a 13 man staff, but after the overuse this weekend and last night's game, it is what it is. The shame is that Eyre is taking up a roster spot and Lou won't even use the guy, and that of all the struggling OFers, Jones is the worst and still the one getting most of the at bats.

 

Assuming Izturis, DeRosa and Fontenot start, the bench is likely to be Hill, Theriot, Pagan and Jones/Floyd. Quite pathetic. They desperately need Floyd starting and need him to play really well for the next two weeks.

[USSoccer]

Do we really need a 13 man pitching staff?

 

This is ridiculous. Not because they sent Murton down, because I'd rather he play than sit, but because it didn't need to come to this.

 

Jim Hendry has no idea how to manage the 40 man, and Lou has no idea how to handle a bullpen.

 

After last night's game, yeah, they probably do need a 13 man staff for the next few days.

 

Or, Lou could have used Gallagher in the role that's probably best for him considering he's still stretched out for starting, which is long relief. Ohman didn't need to go 3 innings or whatever it was.

 

I understand why the move was made given the situation (I guess), but what I cannot countenance is the decision making that leads to things like this. Because Piniella can't manage the pen, we're short on the bench.

[TruffleShuffle]

Hopefully Murton can get it back on track in AAA. He just hasn't come around so far this year. I don't think it's all the splitting time thing, because he didn't have a good grasp of his job in either 2005 or parts of 2006. Playing everyday though might let him figure out what's causing his slump and correct it. The Cubs could use his 2005/2006 numbers in the second half, and I still think he could be a valuable component to this year's team.

 

Hopefully this means that Floyd gets most of the at-bats in right field for now.

 

I don't see how anybody could possibly think it's not about the lack of consistent time.

 

No kidding. Good track record in the minors. Good player in basically a full year in MLB. Suddenly can't find it when he's put in a platoon of sorts (a very random one, at that). Seems to me, if you're looking for a culprit, you have to at least start w/ the lack of consistent playing time, don't you?

 

He was playing well in a platoon in July/August of last year. He played well in a platoon in July of 05. That's 3 of the best 5 months of his career in the major leagues. Murton showed consistently before this year that he could play well when he wasn't getting every at-bat. I don't see why that would suddenly change this year.

 

it certainly wasn't a strict platoon last year... Murton had over 500 PAs and played in 144 games. He had a .351 OBP and a .787 OPS against RHP coming into this year. His OPS was over .900 the second half of last year. There's absolutely no reason that a young, cheap outfielder with numbers like that should be essentially demoted into a platoon position.

[XZero771679666304]

Hopefully Murton can get it back on track in AAA. He just hasn't come around so far this year. I don't think it's all the splitting time thing, because he didn't have a good grasp of his job in either 2005 or parts of 2006. Playing everyday though might let him figure out what's causing his slump and correct it. The Cubs could use his 2005/2006 numbers in the second half, and I still think he could be a valuable component to this year's team.

 

Hopefully this means that Floyd gets most of the at-bats in right field for now.

 

I don't see how anybody could possibly think it's not about the lack of consistent time.

 

No kidding. Good track record in the minors. Good player in basically a full year in MLB. Suddenly can't find it when he's put in a platoon of sorts (a very random one, at that). Seems to me, if you're looking for a culprit, you have to at least start w/ the lack of consistent playing time, don't you?

 

He was playing well in a platoon in July/August of last year. He played well in a platoon in July of 05. That's 3 of the best 5 months of his career in the major leagues. Murton showed consistently before this year that he could play well when he wasn't getting every at-bat. I don't see why that would suddenly change this year.

 

He was getting most of the AB's in August and September last year (his best months by far) - about 90 a month. He has 119 total this season. The platoons aren't comparable.

[jersey cubs fan]

He was playing well in a platoon in July/August of last year. He played well in a platoon in July of 05. That's 3 of the best 5 months of his career in the major leagues. Murton showed consistently before this year that he could play well when he wasn't getting every at-bat. I don't see why that would suddenly change this year.

 

It's not about getting every at bat. It's about getting a reasonable amount.

 

In August and September last year he had 82 and 92 at bats. In April and May of this year he had 44 and 61. He's had 14 in June. He's not in a platoon, he's been the 6th OF.

 

It's so blatantly obvious you'd have to purposefully look away from the facts to think this hasn't been the root cause.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

Super - I rather enjoy watching JACQUE throw 22 hoppers to the catcher or shotputs into the brick walls...

[Chocolate Milk]

the bench is likely to be Hill, Theriot, Pagan and Jones/Floyd.

 

Ugh...

[USSoccer]

the bench is likely to be Hill, Theriot, Pagan and Jones/Floyd.

 

Ugh...

 

This is a team with a $100m payroll. How does this happen?

[moorecg]

This move makes me sick. Yes, Murton needs to play every day...but he needs to do it at the major league level. Sending him down while Jones and his .295 OBP get almost 2 times the playing time is almost criminal.

 

I mean seriously...in 1/2 the games Pie has almost as many at bats as Murton did...yet Jones and his OPS which is barely better than Isturiz is still here....there is no emoticon to express this anger...

[E.J.]

I'm glad to see Murton sent down. He needs to get the at-bats. He definitely wasn't getting them on the Big League team. I still don't understand why Jones got all the playing time when Floyd wasn't playing, but that's a whole other issue. I wonder how long we'll go with 13 pitchers. Aren't Blanco and Ward set to come off the DL soon?

[CubColtPacer]

Hopefully Murton can get it back on track in AAA. He just hasn't come around so far this year. I don't think it's all the splitting time thing, because he didn't have a good grasp of his job in either 2005 or parts of 2006. Playing everyday though might let him figure out what's causing his slump and correct it. The Cubs could use his 2005/2006 numbers in the second half, and I still think he could be a valuable component to this year's team.

 

Hopefully this means that Floyd gets most of the at-bats in right field for now.

 

I don't see how anybody could possibly think it's not about the lack of consistent time.

 

No kidding. Good track record in the minors. Good player in basically a full year in MLB. Suddenly can't find it when he's put in a platoon of sorts (a very random one, at that). Seems to me, if you're looking for a culprit, you have to at least start w/ the lack of consistent playing time, don't you?

 

He was playing well in a platoon in July/August of last year. He played well in a platoon in July of 05. That's 3 of the best 5 months of his career in the major leagues. Murton showed consistently before this year that he could play well when he wasn't getting every at-bat. I don't see why that would suddenly change this year.

 

it certainly wasn't a strict platoon last year... Murton had over 500 PAs and played in 144 games. He had a .351 OBP and a .787 OPS against RHP coming into this year. His OPS was over .900 the second half of last year. There's absolutely no reason that a young, cheap outfielder with numbers like that should be essentially demoted into a platoon position.

 

I'm not saying that he should have been in a platoon situation to begin with. All I'm saying that he has shown that he can be a good player in a platoon situation because he had success in that role for parts of the last two years. He should have been given the chance to start more than he has.

I think his slump is just that-a slump, and his lack of playing time means that it just took longer chronologically to get out of, because he hasn't had enough AB's to break out of the slump naturally. I hope he can get his AB's down there, break out of the slump, and then I think he'll have success when he comes back up to the majors if it be in a starter role or in a platoon.

[TruffleShuffle]

the bench is likely to be Hill, Theriot, Pagan and Jones/Floyd.

 

Ugh...

 

This is a team with a $100m payroll. How does this happen?

 

It's Hendry's fault. He signed a formerly-productive player in Floyd, which inevitably was going to take away ABs from Murton. He didn't build the team with a true CF coming into this year, and ended up with about 5 leftfielders. With the Ward signing, Floyd was completely unnecessary.

[XZero771679666304]

He was playing well in a platoon in July/August of last year. He played well in a platoon in July of 05. That's 3 of the best 5 months of his career in the major leagues. Murton showed consistently before this year that he could play well when he wasn't getting every at-bat. I don't see why that would suddenly change this year.

 

It's not about getting every at bat. It's about getting a reasonable amount.

 

In August and September last year he had 82 and 92 at bats. In April and May of this year he had 44 and 61. He's had 14 in June. He's not in a platoon, he's been the 6th OF.

 

It's so blatantly obvious you'd have to purposefully look away from the facts to think this hasn't been the root cause.

 

Yeah, when you look at the splits you can clearly see Matt plays at a completely different level when he gets the lion's share of the at bats.

[Schwarber Fan]

This is actually Murton's first trip to Iowa right? Wasn't he recalled straight from AA when we came up?

 

[hope][joy]More playing time for Floyd[/joy]Less time for Jacque[/hope]