Matt Murton Discussion/Rant/Opinion Thread

[CUBZ99]

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.

 

What is the problem with a guy that is hitting .308 with a .360OBP. Fontenot's numbers this year are better than Murton's in almost every aspect, including power.

 

I'm all for getting Murton on the field, but Fontenot has contributed in a meaningful way this year, without using his lack of regular playing time as an excuse.

[RegulusBlue]

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

 

a) Yes I am.

 

b) Didn't we know that coming in?

[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

 

a) Yes I am.

 

b) Didn't we know that coming in?

 

a) I can't

 

b) yes

[CUBZ99]

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

 

a) Yes I am.

 

b) Didn't we know that coming in?

 

It didnt' take long for the if _(minor leaguer)__ doesn't start our seasoned is doomed. People act like Soto is going to be a can't miss major league player. Its not like the guy has been hitting lights out in the minors (other than this year) or had any type of consistency (other than this year). Hitting in AAA does not = big league success. Just ask Cedeno, Trinidad Hubbard, Rosie Brown, etc.

[jersey cubs fan]

Hitting in AAA does not = big league success. Just ask Cedeno, Trinidad Hubbard, Rosie Brown, etc.

 

Not hitting in the majors does not = big league success either. Just ask most of the Cubs roster.

[frostwyrm]

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).

 

No, Fontenot is the new Augie.

[Derwood]

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).

 

No, Fontenot is the new Augie.

 

pagan is the new neifi

[RegulusBlue]

Hitting in AAA does not = big league success. Just ask Cedeno, Trinidad Hubbard, Rosie Brown, etc.

 

Not hitting in the majors does not = big league success either. Just ask most of the Cubs roster.

 

I can see your point when talking about Soto, but what do we have to lose?

 

As for Murton, he's proven it already with 550+ ABs.

[CubColtPacer]

Hitting in AAA does not = big league success. Just ask Cedeno, Trinidad Hubbard, Rosie Brown, etc.

 

Not hitting in the majors does not = big league success either. Just ask most of the Cubs roster.

 

I can see your point when talking about Soto, but what do we have to lose?

 

As for Murton, he's proven it already with 550+ ABs.

 

What do we have to lose? The very good OBP that Kendall is putting up with the Cubs. Of course, there are possibilities for gains as well.

[radarluv1]

there's no reason for murton to not start against wanda the lefty tonite

[forbez18]

I can't see why they wouldn't let Murton go over and play right field again. With Soriano out for probrally about a month, we need someone that can get on base. Put Theriot at the top of the order and have Murton bat second behind him and the top of the order will still be fine.

[d_money]

I like Murton, I think he's good and I have nothing against him - I'd like to see him do well. But, its getting to the point where he's got to sh&% or get off the pot. Since Sori's injury, there's more pressure for him to perform. If he can't get the job done, fine. Trade him.

 

I believe his performance in the next few weeks will ultimately determine his future as a Cub (as in next year).

 

Its fair to say we're in the middle of a pennant race and the kid gloves are off.

[CubinNY]

But, its getting to the point where he's got to sh&% or get off the pot.

I guess he'll have to go in his pants then, becuase he never gets a chance to get to the crapper.

[E.J.]

I like Murton, I think he's good and I have nothing against him - I'd like to see him do well. But, its getting to the point where he's got to sh&% or get off the pot. Since Sori's injury, there's more pressure for him to perform. If he can't get the job done, fine. Trade him.

 

I believe his performance in the next few weeks will ultimately determine his future as a Cub (as in next year).

 

Its fair to say we're in the middle of a pennant race and the kid gloves are off.

 

He has to be given access to the bathroom first.

[d_money]

I like Murton, I think he's good and I have nothing against him - I'd like to see him do well. But, its getting to the point where he's got to sh&% or get off the pot. Since Sori's injury, there's more pressure for him to perform. If he can't get the job done, fine. Trade him.

 

I believe his performance in the next few weeks will ultimately determine his future as a Cub (as in next year).

 

Its fair to say we're in the middle of a pennant race and the kid gloves are off.

 

He has to be given access to the bathroom first.

 

I believe he's just been given the keys. The stalls have no TP.

[Skyballer]

I like Murton, I think he's good and I have nothing against him - I'd like to see him do well. But, its getting to the point where he's got to sh&% or get off the pot. Since Sori's injury, there's more pressure for him to perform. If he can't get the job done, fine. Trade him.

 

I believe his performance in the next few weeks will ultimately determine his future as a Cub (as in next year).

 

Its fair to say we're in the middle of a pennant race and the kid gloves are off.

 

He has to be given access to the bathroom first.

Murton is not allowed acess to anything.

I've made up my mind, Murton pissed in Lou's cheerios.

[d_money]

I like Murton, I think he's good and I have nothing against him - I'd like to see him do well. But, its getting to the point where he's got to sh&% or get off the pot. Since Sori's injury, there's more pressure for him to perform. If he can't get the job done, fine. Trade him.

 

I believe his performance in the next few weeks will ultimately determine his future as a Cub (as in next year).

 

Its fair to say we're in the middle of a pennant race and the kid gloves are off.

 

He has to be given access to the bathroom first.

Murton is not allowed acess to anything.

I've made up my mind, Murton pissed in Lou's cheerios.

 

Maybe he thought Lou was into that kind of thing.

[Skyballer]

I like Murton, I think he's good and I have nothing against him - I'd like to see him do well. But, its getting to the point where he's got to sh&% or get off the pot. Since Sori's injury, there's more pressure for him to perform. If he can't get the job done, fine. Trade him.

 

I believe his performance in the next few weeks will ultimately determine his future as a Cub (as in next year).

 

Its fair to say we're in the middle of a pennant race and the kid gloves are off.

 

He has to be given access to the bathroom first.

Murton is not allowed acess to anything.

I've made up my mind, Murton pissed in Lou's cheerios.

 

Maybe he thought Lou was into that kind of thing.

well, Lou did call him adorable.

Murton was just trying to get playing time.

[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.

 

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.

 

What is the problem with a guy that is hitting .308 with a .360OBP. Fontenot's numbers this year are better than Murton's in almost every aspect, including power.

 

I'm all for getting Murton on the field, but Fontenot has contributed in a meaningful way this year, without using his lack of regular playing time as an excuse.

 

As I'm pretty sure I posted just a page or two ago, Fontenot's July numbers are beyond Neifi-level bad. Sub .500 OPS (.269 OBP/.211 SLG). Yes, it's just over 70 ABs and yes, his overall #s are still good. But 70 ABs is nearly half his career ABs at this level, so he's basically been terrible as long as he was on fire earlier. So who's the real Fontenot? The 1.000 OPS from June? The .480 OPS from July? Or the .820 OPS he's sporting now?

 

I'm guessing he's somewhere below his current production. His June #s were never sustainable. Near .400 AVG, but only .025 ISoD. He hit 7 doubles, 3 triples, and 3 HRs in June, but never had a single XBH in all of July. I'm guessing he'll get on base around .350-.360 and SLG just above that, for an OPS just above .700. Not bad at all for a rookie 2B, but he's not much of a prospect and there's really no reason to give him the bulk of the ABs over DeRosa or Murton (who OPS'd over .800 in his first full season).

[Tracer Bullet]

I like Murton, I think he's good and I have nothing against him - I'd like to see him do well. But, its getting to the point where he's got to sh&% or get off the pot. Since Sori's injury, there's more pressure for him to perform. If he can't get the job done, fine. Trade him.

 

I believe his performance in the next few weeks will ultimately determine his future as a Cub (as in next year).

 

Its fair to say we're in the middle of a pennant race and the kid gloves are off.

 

I have no idea what you're talking about. Murton put up a better than league average OPS last season at 24. This year he's been yanked all over the lineup so that Cliff Frickin Floyd could get more ABs. He's proven that he can get the job done already - look at his numbers over his 700+ career ABs.

 

If the Cubs determine Murton's value based solely on his performance in the next few weeks...actually, that would be about as dumb as I would expect Hendry and Lou to be.

 

When did Murton get kid gloves? This is such a BS statement. Kid gloves would mean allowing your 25 year old player that's had some success in the minors and the majors play through a slump early and not jerk him around. But they forced him to learn a new position at the major league level and never gave him consistent starts. Meanwhile, our huge FA acquisition can only hit in 1 spot in the order, even when we could really use his SLG lower in the order, and can play only the easiest defensive position, even though we really could use him in RF, or else he (or at least, everyone thinks he) will totally suck. Kid gloves? Soriano's getting infant glove treatment over here. We're in a pennant race, it's time to start taking one for the team...that is...as soon as you get off the DL.

[Skyballer]

I like Murton, I think he's good and I have nothing against him - I'd like to see him do well. But, its getting to the point where he's got to sh&% or get off the pot. Since Sori's injury, there's more pressure for him to perform. If he can't get the job done, fine. Trade him.

 

I believe his performance in the next few weeks will ultimately determine his future as a Cub (as in next year).

 

Its fair to say we're in the middle of a pennant race and the kid gloves are off.

 

I have no idea what you're talking about. Murton put up a better than league average OPS last season at 24. This year he's been yanked all over the lineup so that Cliff Frickin Floyd could get more ABs. He's proven that he can get the job done already - look at his numbers over his 700+ career ABs.

 

If the Cubs determine Murton's value based solely on his performance in the next few weeks...actually, that would be about as dumb as I would expect Hendry and Lou to be.

 

When did Murton get kid gloves? This is such a BS statement. Kid gloves would mean allowing your 25 year old player that's had some success in the minors and the majors play through a slump early and not jerk him around. But they forced him to learn a new position at the major league level and never gave him consistent starts. Meanwhile, our huge FA acquisition can only hit in 1 spot in the order, even when we could really use his SLG lower in the order, and can play only the easiest defensive position, even though we really could use him in RF, or else he (or at least, everyone thinks he) will totally suck. Kid gloves? Soriano's getting infant glove treatment over here. We're in a pennant race, it's time to start taking one for the team...that is...as soon as you get off the DL.

I really don't think Soriano is all that good of a hitter, he never blew the world away with this ability to hit for contact. And was always a poor fielder.

Mind you I think Murton is actually a better hitter, in a year or two.

And Sori's fielding is brutal at times, and others it seems terrific.