Matt Murton Discussion/Rant/Opinion Thread

[jaxxradio]

I'd like to chime in on the discussion..BTW, this is coming from someone who saw all of his games when he was in West Tenn in 2005 and I happen to know alot of folks within the organization.

 

Murton was sent down because he was the only guy that had options left and because they wanted him to play everyday in right, work on his defense and get his hitting back in order. Von Joshua, the Iowa hitting coach, told me last week that Murton was working really hard and was just about ready to get back to the majors.

 

As far as what Murton can do in the future..again, I had the opportunity to see him everyday in Double-A and I saw his work ethic. IMHO, this is a guy that will hit .300+ with 20-25 homers per year and 15-20 steals per year while playing average in right if he is given a chance to play everyday.

 

What all of the anti-Murton people out there are missing is the projection of this young man. Murton has a type of loft in his swing that will produce good (not great, but good) power if given the chance. Everyone can get hung up on stats and what have you..I prefer to look at the work ethic, the way the ball comes off the bat, etc..

 

Having said that, Murton is by far the hardest working guy I have ever seen come through Jackson and the ball comes off his bat really well. If he's given a chance (and hopefully he will be now that he's been given a crash course on how to play right during his time in Triple-A), Murton will be a solid addition to what is already a good everyday Cubs lineup.

 

I'll go on a limb and say that Murton (again if he plays consistently) will play a BIG role in the Cubs winning the NL Central this September.

[Backtobanks]

I'd like to chime in on the discussion..BTW, this is coming from someone who saw all of his games when he was in West Tenn in 2005 and I happen to know alot of folks within the organization.

 

Murton was sent down because he was the only guy that had options left and because they wanted him to play everyday in right, work on his defense and get his hitting back in order. Von Joshua, the Iowa hitting coach, told me last week that Murton was working really hard and was just about ready to get back to the majors.

 

As far as what Murton can do in the future..again, I had the opportunity to see him everyday in Double-A and I saw his work ethic. IMHO, this is a guy that will hit .300+ with 20-25 homers per year and 15-20 steals per year while playing average in right if he is given a chance to play everyday.

 

What all of the anti-Murton people out there are missing is the projection of this young man. Murton has a type of loft in his swing that will produce good (not great, but good) power if given the chance. Everyone can get hung up on stats and what have you..I prefer to look at the work ethic, the way the ball comes off the bat, etc..

 

Having said that, Murton is by far the hardest working guy I have ever seen come through Jackson and the ball comes off his bat really well. If he's given a chance (and hopefully he will be now that he's been given a crash course on how to play right during his time in Triple-A), Murton will be a solid addition to what is already a good everyday Cubs lineup.

 

I'll go on a limb and say that Murton (again if he plays consistently) will play a BIG role in the Cubs winning the NL Central this September.

 

Now if we can convince Lou of that.

[Old Style]

Anyone know why Murton was scratched tonight?

[BCVM22]

Anyone know why Murton was scratched tonight?

 

Lou wanted Floyd in there tonight rather than tomorrow. There's a whole thread about the ruckus in Transactions.

[soapy]

Since this has become a sort of official Murton rants thread, I'll go ahead and bump this with a preemptive rant about Murton not playing, even with Soriano out. I fully expect to see some combo of Floyd/Jones/DeRosa/Pagan/Pie? in the OF while is Soriano out. Boooo...

[Soul]

The last time Matt played didn't he have a good game? I seem to remember that he did.

 

I thought Lou was all about rewarding good performances with more play time. Apparently Murton's not going to be held to the same standard as the rest of the roster. I find that to be unfair, and ridiculous.

[Derwood]

this team has been cursed by the marginally acceptable play of Mike Fontenot. Lou's perception that Fontenot and Theriot are everyday MIF's has pushed DeRosa to the OF (where he's subpar defensively) and made Murton a 5th OF'er.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The last time Matt played didn't he have a good game? I seem to remember that he did.

 

I thought Lou was all about rewarding good performances with more play time. Apparently Murton's not going to be held to the same standard as the rest of the roster. I find that to be unfair, and ridiculous.

 

2 for 4 with a walk his last start, 3 for 10 with 2 walks since being called up.

[Tracer Bullet]

The last time Matt played didn't he have a good game? I seem to remember that he did.

 

I thought Lou was all about rewarding good performances with more play time. Apparently Murton's not going to be held to the same standard as the rest of the roster. I find that to be unfair, and ridiculous.

 

2 for 4 with a walk his last start, 3 for 10 with 2 walks since being called up.

 

2/6 with 2 BBs and a double in 2 starts. After last night, 1/5 in PH chances.

 

It bugs me to no end that Lou didn't replace Soriano with Murton last night and that Murton will, at best, platoon in the OF even now. Didn't get the start against the LHP, didn't get to sub when the starter at his regular position got injured. I've joked before about what Murton must have done to Lou, but I'm partially serious. Matt must have pissed Lou off in some way. Maybe it goes back to the dispute over the change in Murton's stance/swing, maybe Matt said something to Lou or others about his reduced role, maybe Lou got beat up by a redhead when he was a kid and holds it against all redheads. I wish I knew b/c the complete lack of playing time for Murton defies all explanation, given the information I have.

[Derwood]

The last time Matt played didn't he have a good game? I seem to remember that he did.

 

I thought Lou was all about rewarding good performances with more play time. Apparently Murton's not going to be held to the same standard as the rest of the roster. I find that to be unfair, and ridiculous.

 

2 for 4 with a walk his last start, 3 for 10 with 2 walks since being called up.

 

2/6 with 2 BBs and a double in 2 starts. After last night, 1/5 in PH chances.

 

It bugs me to no end that Lou didn't replace Soriano with Murton last night and that Murton will, at best, platoon in the OF even now. Didn't get the start against the LHP, didn't get to sub when the starter at his regular position got injured. I've joked before about what Murton must have done to Lou, but I'm partially serious. Matt must have pissed Lou off in some way. Maybe it goes back to the dispute over the change in Murton's stance/swing, maybe Matt said something to Lou or others about his reduced role, maybe Lou got beat up by a redhead when he was a kid and holds it against all redheads. I wish I knew b/c the complete lack of playing time for Murton defies all explanation, given the information I have.

 

i think he still holds a couple dropped balls in the OF and a couple of base-running mistakes from April against him. They were bad mistakes, but not bad enough to villify the guy over.

 

Pagan/Fontenot:Lou :: Neifi/Macias:Dusty

[soapy]

It bugs me to no end that Lou didn't replace Soriano with Murton last night

That was extremely disapointing to me as well. I think that told me all I need to know about Lou's feelings on Murton at this point. It was essentially the perfect storm for Murton to play. LHP on the mound (no excuse that he can't his RHP); LF open (no excuse that he can't play RF). Still, Lou essentially chose Fontenot over Murton. Not a good omen.

[Tracer Bullet]

this team has been cursed by the marginally acceptable play of Mike Fontenot. Lou's perception that Fontenot and Theriot are everyday MIF's has pushed DeRosa to the OF (where he's subpar defensively) and made Murton a 5th OF'er.

 

I really don't understand Lou's use of Fontenot. I somewhat understand Theriot, since he was the only SS that was putting up acceptable #s in the first half (although, what's the point of having Cedeno up right now? Are we actively trying to stunt the development of Murton & Cedeno?). But Fontenot was beyond horrible in July. Yes, it's 70 or so ABs, but that's almost half of his career ABs - and he was abysmal (sub .500 OPS). Yet, Lou runs him right back out there. Is it because he's a second baseman, so it's more acceptable to be terrible offensively than it is for a corner OF?

 

I wouldn't mind Fontenot, but with DeRosa playing well, he should be at 2B.

[Derwood]

we are managed by a man who regularly has a RF'er in LF, a LF'er in CF, a 2B in RF and a 2B at SS

[Tracer Bullet]

It bugs me to no end that Lou didn't replace Soriano with Murton last night

That was extremely disapointing to me as well. I think that told me all I need to know about Lou's feelings on Murton at this point. It was essentially the perfect storm for Murton to play. LHP on the mound (no excuse that he can't his RHP); LF open (no excuse that he can't play RF). Still, Lou essentially chose Fontenot over Murton. Not a good omen.

 

Especially coming off Fontenot's July. There's absolutely no excuse for Lou to use at this point. Anything short of playing Murton in LF when Soriano is out is the equivalent of saying "I think Murton sucks." There's really no other interpretation at this point.

[Soul]

The last time Matt played didn't he have a good game? I seem to remember that he did.

 

I thought Lou was all about rewarding good performances with more play time. Apparently Murton's not going to be held to the same standard as the rest of the roster. I find that to be unfair, and ridiculous.

 

2 for 4 with a walk his last start, 3 for 10 with 2 walks since being called up.

 

2/6 with 2 BBs and a double in 2 starts. After last night, 1/5 in PH chances.

 

It bugs me to no end that Lou didn't replace Soriano with Murton last night and that Murton will, at best, platoon in the OF even now. Didn't get the start against the LHP, didn't get to sub when the starter at his regular position got injured. I've joked before about what Murton must have done to Lou, but I'm partially serious. Matt must have pissed Lou off in some way. Maybe it goes back to the dispute over the change in Murton's stance/swing, maybe Matt said something to Lou or others about his reduced role, maybe Lou got beat up by a redhead when he was a kid and holds it against all redheads. I wish I knew b/c the complete lack of playing time for Murton defies all explanation, given the information I have.

 

i think he still holds a couple dropped balls in the OF and a couple of base-running mistakes from April against him. They were bad mistakes, but not bad enough to villify the guy over.

 

Especially considering other OF on this team have had gaffs too, and haven't been punished like this. Soriano and Jones in particular have embarrassed themselves on occasion. It hasn't led to purgatory for either of them.

 

Murton is being treated unfairly, and IMO it's already hurting us and will continue to. I'm starting to think everyday Pagan instead of Murton could be the tipping point that sends us spiraling down in the standings. I know that's an extreme view, but I believe we've been teetering on the edge for a couple weeks now, scratching out a few wins to keep near the top in the standings but not making any real progress like we were before. It's something like this that could prove to tip us back headed down. IMO, of course.

[Tracer Bullet]

we are managed by a man who regularly has a RF'er in LF, a LF'er in CF, a 2B in RF and a 2B at SS

 

Isn't it "LF'er in RF, RF'er in CF" etc etc? Floyd's a LF and Jones is a RF. Or am I missing something?

[Derwood]

we are managed by a man who regularly has a RF'er in LF, a LF'er in CF, a 2B in RF and a 2B at SS

 

Isn't it "LF'er in RF, RF'er in CF" etc etc? Floyd's a LF and Jones is a RF. Or am I missing something?

 

I think Soriano is more of a RF talent than LF, I think of Jones as a LF for some reason. Either way, he's not a CF

[frostwyrm]

It bugs me to no end that Lou didn't replace Soriano with Murton last night

That was extremely disapointing to me as well. I think that told me all I need to know about Lou's feelings on Murton at this point. It was essentially the perfect storm for Murton to play. LHP on the mound (no excuse that he can't his RHP); LF open (no excuse that he can't play RF). Still, Lou essentially chose Fontenot over Murton. Not a good omen.

 

Especially coming off Fontenot's July. There's absolutely no excuse for Lou to use at this point. Anything short of playing Murton in LF when Soriano is out is the equivalent of saying "I think Murton sucks." There's really no other interpretation at this point.

 

It's goofy that Murton wasn't traded before the deadline. He could have been a big part of a package deal to get some immediate help, but instead we keep him, and for what? Lou would rather see Mike Freakin Fontenot on the field. I said this a few weeks ago: the opportunity cost of not trading Murton far outweighs what he will contribute as a Cubs player. He shouldn't still be here.

[Tracer Bullet]

we are managed by a man who regularly has a RF'er in LF, a LF'er in CF, a 2B in RF and a 2B at SS

 

Isn't it "LF'er in RF, RF'er in CF" etc etc? Floyd's a LF and Jones is a RF. Or am I missing something?

 

I think Soriano is more of a RF talent than LF, I think of Jones as a LF for some reason. Either way, he's not a CF

 

I got it. I agree on Soriano. I also agree that JJ isn't a CF, though I don't know which corner I'd put him in. Probably neither.

[Derwood]

we are managed by a man who regularly has a RF'er in LF, a LF'er in CF, a 2B in RF and a 2B at SS

 

Isn't it "LF'er in RF, RF'er in CF" etc etc? Floyd's a LF and Jones is a RF. Or am I missing something?

 

I think Soriano is more of a RF talent than LF, I think of Jones as a LF for some reason. Either way, he's not a CF

 

I got it. I agree on Soriano. I also agree that JJ isn't a CF, though I don't know which corner I'd put him in. Probably neither.

 

the corner of the dugout farthest from the field

[jaxxradio]

Derwood, you hit the nail on the head a few posts ago with the reason why Lou isn't playing Murton.

 

Last week, I had an opportunity to talk with someone in the Cubs organization (God I miss not having the Cubs as our Double-A affiliate). Anyway, this person told me straight up that Murton isn't playing and probably won't be playing anytime soon because Lou is still pissed at him for dropping those two fly balls in April when the Cubs were struggling.

 

I like Lou, but this petty, sophmoric grudge-holding thing is going to cost this team a chance at post-season. Obviously he still holds it when:

 

A) You don't start Murton with a lefty on the mound

B) You don't put Murton in the game when Soriano gets hurt

C) You continue to use your BEST RF as a freakin' pinch-hitter (in the ninth inning, down five.. basically setting Murton up for failure unless the Cubs score five or six runs)

[RegulusBlue]

Lou will cost the Cubs a postseason bid unless Murton and Soto get to start at least half of our remaining games.

 

Its that easy. When we were hot, we depended on Jones, Pagan, Floyd, and the myriad other shreds of actual baseball players to help us along.

 

It wasn't sustainable.

 

We finish 5-10 games out with Dusty Piniella at the helm.

 

Fontenot is the new Neifi (minus amphetamines).

[Derwood]

Lou will cost the Cubs a postseason bid unless Murton and Soto get to start at least half of our remaining games.

 

a) you're speculating on Soto's ability to hit major league pitching (see: Dubois, Pie, etc.)

 

b) it's never going to happen anyways, so I guess we're screwed

[Soul]

Bears first preseason game is next weekend!!

[C.C.]

Bears first preseason game is next weekend!!

 

Who cares and this belongs in the social thread.