Murton and Cherry recalled from Iowa

[UMFan83]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2007/07/murton-cherry-c.html

 

The Cubs are turning to Iowa for reinforcements again and plan to call up right-fielder Matt Murton and right-hander Rocky Cherry Friday.

 

It doesn't say who is going down but my guess would be Jake Fox and Billy Petrick.

Edited July 27, 2007 by UMFan83

[Banedon]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2007/07/murton-cherry-c.html

 

Who goes down? Fox and Petrick?

[YearofDaCubs]

Let's hope Murton can play a bit now that he's up. I wonder if his defense improved out in RF due to him being acclimated there in the minors.

[Soriano12]

Excellent.

[Abe Frohman]

I doubt Murton has changed much in the arm department, but if they are going to put Cliff Floyd out there in RF, I guess there is no reason why Murton shouldn't get some time. Good to see him back up.

[Exile on Waveland]

Good. Murton should be with the major league club. Hope he gets some good playing time, too.

[Sammy Sofa]

Welcome back, Big Murt.

[Keener98]

NOW JUST LET HIM PLAY!

[CubColtPacer]

Let's hope Murton can play a bit now that he's up. I wonder if his defense improved out in RF due to him being acclimated there in the minors.

 

I'm sure it did. There were some things that were caused by range/arm problems, but many of his mistakes was Murton just taking awful angles to balls. As he got more experience out there, most of that is probably gone at this point.

 

Murton should start against all left-handers and start at least 45-50 percent overall. I think he'll get the start tonight against Arroyo with Floyd getting the day off. Of course, if he continues to swing the bat well my expectations for how much Lou should play him will continue to go way up, and my hope is that Lou will give him 70-75 percent of the at-bats immediately.

Edited July 27, 2007 by CubColtPacer

[CUBZ99]

Let's hope Murton can play a bit now that he's up. I wonder if his defense improved out in RF due to him being acclimated there in the minors.

 

Sunday when I saw him in Iowa, he looked much more relaxed in RF. He was getting good jumps, covering quite a bit of ground and made some tough plays that looked like extra bases of the bat. He should be an upgrade over Floyd defensively.

[Keener98]

Let's hope Murton can play a bit now that he's up. I wonder if his defense improved out in RF due to him being acclimated there in the minors.

 

Sunday when I saw him in Iowa, he looked much more relaxed in RF. He was getting good jumps, covering quite a bit of ground and made some tough plays that looked like extra bases of the bat. He should be an upgrade over Floyd defensively.

 

A wooden cutout of Murton wouldnt be that far behind Floyd defensively.

[Electron Blue]

very briefly met Murton before a Omaha-Iowa game. He was incredibly nice and accomodating to the fans, particularly the really young ones. He posed for some pictures, signed some things, and just made a real nice impression -- sure they all do these things, but he seemed quite genuine to me. Pie was always very indulgent to the fans hanging around pre-game.

 

Good luck Matt, and we'll see you up in a bit, Felix!!

[kujay]

That blog entry also has this gem from Lou:

 

Lou Piniella said Thursday that the Cubs would probably stand pat at the trading deadline, with Murton's hot hitting at Iowa one reason for the decision.

 

:?

[Pinktermite]

If Fox is sent down, then what happens when Ward comes off the DL? Who goes down then?

[Sammy Sofa]

That blog entry also has this gem from Lou:

 

Lou Piniella said Thursday that the Cubs would probably stand pat at the trading deadline, with Murton's hot hitting at Iowa one reason for the decision.

 

:?

 

On the one hand, it's frustrating, but at the same time, if playing Murton is a step towards also playing guys like Pie and Soto again, it could work out.

 

Long shot, I know, but not the end of the world, especially with Pie and Murton.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If Fox is sent down, then what happens when Ward comes off the DL? Who goes down then?

 

Odds are Ward's not coming off the DL until September, and then it won't matter.

[E.J.]

I'm guessing Fox is sent down. So he had 1 at-bat in the week and a half he was up. He really got that look Lou was talking about. :lol:

 

Glad we added him and started his option clock for 1 at-bat. Not that it's a big deal, but still kind of worthless.

[CubColtPacer]

That blog entry also has this gem from Lou:

 

Lou Piniella said Thursday that the Cubs would probably stand pat at the trading deadline, with Murton's hot hitting at Iowa one reason for the decision.

 

:?

 

That's not awful. If they are willing to give Murton a good chance, then it is better than trading for somebody like Dye. Obviously not as good as somebody like Griffey or Dunn, but both of those would be very expensive to acquire. If Murton plays like he did last year, this offense becomes a lot more stable.

[UMFan83]

That blog entry also has this gem from Lou:

 

Lou Piniella said Thursday that the Cubs would probably stand pat at the trading deadline, with Murton's hot hitting at Iowa one reason for the decision.

 

:?

 

Eh, theres not a lot out there that I've really liked. Maybe Lofton, but I don't see a lot of rumors involving him. Ty Wigginton might be a decent move, but no one has really earned a demotion on the team, especially with Murton coming up.

 

Crazy thought, but any chance that they are bringing up Murton in order to showcase him for a trade?

[UMFan83]

I'm guessing Fox is sent down. So he had 1 at-bat in the week and a half he was up. He really got that look Lou was talking about. :lol:

 

Glad we added him and started his option clock for 1 at-bat. Not that it's a big deal, but still kind of worthless.

 

2 ABs, but your point still stands.

[tinkerstoeverstochance]

Is Floyd d2d or once a week now or heading for the DL?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Crazy thought, but any chance that they are bringing up Murton in order to showcase him for a trade?

 

For three days?

 

This reminds me, is the deadline in the middle of the afternoon again this year? I wish they'd go back to the midnight deadline.

[UMFan83]

Crazy thought, but any chance that they are bringing up Murton in order to showcase him for a trade?

 

For three days?

 

This reminds me, is the deadline in the middle of the afternoon again this year? I wish they'd go back to the midnight deadline.

 

I know, like I said its crazy. But if the Cubs were in the works for a trade with Murton involved, its not too crazy to think that they might bring him up and start him for 3 games.

 

But doubtful

[frostwyrm]

I still think Murton is way more valuable to the Cubs as trade bait than as a player. If he has a bad week he's back in Lou's doghouse and we will have lost our chance to get value for him before the deadline. I guess we better hope he starts hot and stays hot.

[Backtobanks]

Let's hope Murton can play a bit now that he's up. I wonder if his defense improved out in RF due to him being acclimated there in the minors.

 

Let's hope Lou noticed that Murton was used against righties and lefties at AAA. Don't bring him up to start once a week and then wonder why he's not hitting.