Jose Cruz Jr. Released

[HoopsCubs]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2956001

 

"The Padres cleared one spot after a 4-0 loss to Arizona, releasing reserve outfielder Jose Cruz Jr., who was hitting just .234. Cruz played well earlier in the season, when he platooned with left fielder Terrmel Sledge and filled in when right fielder Brian Giles was hurt. But his playing time dwindled from late June on, after Giles returned and the Padres acquired Milton Bradley. The Padres are carrying 13 pitchers, so the other two moves likely will come from that group."

 

His 3 year splits (2004-2006)

LHB: 826 at bats .225 .330 .415 .745

RHB: 312 at bats .292 .393 .490 .883

 

There has not been much difference in 2007, but historically he has hit left-handed pitching well.

 

Could be an option.

[jersey cubs fan]

should be an option

[Ding Dong Johnson]

damn well better be an option

[gflore34]

Indeed, if Hendry doesn't give him a shot, that may very mean he thinks the Cubs are set.

[Schwarber Fan]

won't be an option

[CubColtPacer]

Cruz is 33, is fading, and has been terrible against both right-handers and left-handers this year. Sound like a Cubs CF you know? I don't know why the Cubs would pick up Cruz. Pagan is probably better than him at this point, and if you want to pick up a free agent, Kielty is probably better than Cruz.

[jersey cubs fan]

Cruz is 33, is fading, and has been terrible against both right-handers and left-handers this year. Sound like a Cubs CF you know? I don't know why the Cubs would pick up Cruz. Pagan is probably better than him at this point, and if you want to pick up a free agent, Kielty is probably better than Cruz.

 

He's been awful for most of the year, yes. But he's shown signs of being more than he's shown. For one, if Jacque is truly going to be the CF against RHP, I'd rather have Cruz platoon with him than Pagan, who, aside from this year, is typically better against RHP than LHP. Plus, if Murton is just going to get the occasional start against LHP, I'd rather he go back to the minors and have Cruz up there filling that role. Additionally, Cruz has always hit LHP, as much as Jones has hit RHP. And he's hit a bit better away from Petco than in Petco. I think Cruz is a better Pagan, and better suited to the role Murton seems to be playing as well. He's owed about $200,000 the rest of 2007, and I think he'd be a great pickup.

[JeffH]

Send Murton and Cedeno down.

 

Sign both Cruz and Kielty.

 

Get DeRosa some work at shortstop.

[cubweiser03]

Does anybody get released more than Cruz Jr.

[jersey cubs fan]

Does anybody get released more than Cruz Jr.

 

Bruce Chen?

[Abe Frohman]

I'm with Jersey. Cruz would be a better option overall than Ward, and if you aren't going to use Murton (who actually had some pretty good throws from RF the other night) send him back so he can play often until the Cruz experiment pans out.

 

Bottom line is Cruz is a better defensive OFer than most of the guys the Cubs are fielding in CF and RF (save Pagan).

 

Fact.

[inari]

Take a flier, Jimbo.

[CyHawk_Cub]

Yeah, just as well give Cruz a shot.. It's pretty clear that Murton isn't going to get more than sporadic playing time, and he hasn't shown the ability to produce under those circumstances, so he might as well get sent back down.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

I honestly wish we'd just trade Murton. Which sucks, because I think he could be a bargain 'steal' as a LF who can give you .300/.360/.460 and decent defense at a dirt cheap price. But if we're not going to use him, at least get something for him while he still has value. It's ridiculous how this organization is seemingly committed to jerking him around.