Bruce Levine reports: Eric Patterson will be recalled

[CubColtPacer]

I don't understand why anyone is surprised by this move. Lou is consistent with his managerial style. He is someone who doesn't tolerate failure and in Lou's mind..

 

A) Murton failed him when he droped two fly balls in April

B) Pie failed him because he couldn't hit good enough to stay in the show when given two chances this season

 

You GOTTA love a manager that doesn't give another chance to let someone "wrong a right" (note the sarcasm).

 

This isn't entirely true. Lou has given Cedeno a second chance and he's allowing Eyre and Jones the opportunity to play; one could argue that he was forced to do so by the contracts of the last two but that didn't stop him from burying JJ (and Cesar) for long stretches a few months ago.

 

On the subject of Pie, this team can't afford to allow him to hit .200. There are 52 games left in this season and Lou isn't a AAA manager. Overall, Lou has done a fine job this season and while I like Murton, I'm not going to lobby for him over any other player. I don't care who plays just as long as they are productive. It's not like Murton was hitting the cover off the ball at any point this season for the Cubs (and his defense was a problem--and it had very little to do with playing RF for the first time because he failed to make routine plays on balls that should have been in the glove).

 

Hell, we're talking about the same manager who thought Theriot wasn't a ML SS earlier in the year. Yet, he allowed Theriot to play enough to win the job fulltime.

 

When? The only players under Lou who have been given 2nd chances are proven veterans like Jones and Eyre.

 

Also, its not loke FLoyd is hitting the cover off the ball, or Pagan but yet we continue to see these guys in RF over a guy like Murton.

 

Theriot definitely got a second chance after his awful month. Pie got a second chance (but not a third yet).

 

Theriot got a 2nd chance because there was nobody other than Cesar Izturis to play over him. Pie was given sporadic AB"s and Lou is surprised he didnt play well?

 

Felix's AB's were anything but sporadic. Most of his at-bats each time he was up came all bunched together before he was benched and then sent down each time.

 

Similarly, Jones was only given a second chance because Pie failed. Eyre was given a second chance because he started impressing in his limited time. Also, Eyre is still behind just about everyone else in the bullpen, similar to how Cedeno is still behind all the other infielders.

Edited August 6, 2007 by CubColtPacer

[C.C.]

I don't understand why anyone is surprised by this move. Lou is consistent with his managerial style. He is someone who doesn't tolerate failure and in Lou's mind..

 

A) Murton failed him when he droped two fly balls in April

B) Pie failed him because he couldn't hit good enough to stay in the show when given two chances this season

 

You GOTTA love a manager that doesn't give another chance to let someone "wrong a right" (note the sarcasm).

 

This isn't entirely true. Lou has given Cedeno a second chance and he's allowing Eyre and Jones the opportunity to play; one could argue that he was forced to do so by the contracts of the last two but that didn't stop him from burying JJ (and Cesar) for long stretches a few months ago.

 

On the subject of Pie, this team can't afford to allow him to hit .200. There are 52 games left in this season and Lou isn't a AAA manager. Overall, Lou has done a fine job this season and while I like Murton, I'm not going to lobby for him over any other player. I don't care who plays just as long as they are productive. It's not like Murton was hitting the cover off the ball at any point this season for the Cubs (and his defense was a problem--and it had very little to do with playing RF for the first time because he failed to make routine plays on balls that should have been in the glove).

 

Hell, we're talking about the same manager who thought Theriot wasn't a ML SS earlier in the year. Yet, he allowed Theriot to play enough to win the job fulltime.

 

When? The only players under Lou who have been given 2nd chances are proven veterans like Jones and Eyre.

 

Also, its not loke FLoyd is hitting the cover off the ball, or Pagan but yet we continue to see these guys in RF over a guy like Murton.

 

Theriot definitely got a second chance after his awful month. Pie got a second chance (but not a third yet).

 

Theriot got a 2nd chance because there was nobody other than Cesar Izturis to play over him. Pie was given sporadic AB"s and Lou is surprised he didnt play well?

 

Right, but the fact remains he did play Theriot over Izturis. That goes against what you're saying. No?

[Keener98]

I don't understand why anyone is surprised by this move. Lou is consistent with his managerial style. He is someone who doesn't tolerate failure and in Lou's mind..

 

A) Murton failed him when he droped two fly balls in April

B) Pie failed him because he couldn't hit good enough to stay in the show when given two chances this season

 

You GOTTA love a manager that doesn't give another chance to let someone "wrong a right" (note the sarcasm).

 

This isn't entirely true. Lou has given Cedeno a second chance and he's allowing Eyre and Jones the opportunity to play; one could argue that he was forced to do so by the contracts of the last two but that didn't stop him from burying JJ (and Cesar) for long stretches a few months ago.

 

On the subject of Pie, this team can't afford to allow him to hit .200. There are 52 games left in this season and Lou isn't a AAA manager. Overall, Lou has done a fine job this season and while I like Murton, I'm not going to lobby for him over any other player. I don't care who plays just as long as they are productive. It's not like Murton was hitting the cover off the ball at any point this season for the Cubs (and his defense was a problem--and it had very little to do with playing RF for the first time because he failed to make routine plays on balls that should have been in the glove).

 

Hell, we're talking about the same manager who thought Theriot wasn't a ML SS earlier in the year. Yet, he allowed Theriot to play enough to win the job fulltime.

 

When? The only players under Lou who have been given 2nd chances are proven veterans like Jones and Eyre.

 

What? Do you really think Cedeno would have been recalled if Lou didn't want him on the 25 man roster? He would have told Hendry "no way." I think being recalled after a failed attempt to stay here earlier in the year qualifies as a second chance. The Cubs could have kept Izturis to fill the bench role. Instead, they moved him and made room for their own guys.

 

I think you are confusing Lou with Dusty. Lou is going to play whomever will hit the ball without regard for tenure.

 

Him being recalled, and him given a 2nd chance are different. He is "here" but its not like hes been given a chance to play.

 

Its pretty obvious Lou likes Theriot because of his "grittyness" and "spark" You cant compare his situation to that of Murton, or Pie.

Edited August 6, 2007 by Keener98

[jaxxradio]

98, Lou can't just bail on Jones and Eyre because they are on the forty man roster and its also abundantly apparant that nobody else in baseball wants them.

 

Ryan Theriot has never been in Lou's "doghouse" so you can't put him in this discussion. Besdies, Lou loves the kid because he sees alot of him in the-riot.

 

Cedeno has NEVER been given a second chance (but then again he shouldn't because Theriot has been outstanding at SS and is clearly the man over there).

 

All I was saying is that Lou hasn't, and isn't planning on, giving Murton a fair shake because of what happened in April and that is flat out WRONG. I can understand not wanting to call up Pie from an offensive point of view, but Pie needs to be brought up because he is the only guy that can play solid defense in a very defensive-minded position.

[Keener98]

98, Lou can't just bail on Jones and Eyre because they are on the forty man roster and its also abundantly apparant that nobody else in baseball wants them.

 

Ryan Theriot has never been in Lou's "doghouse" so you can't put him in this discussion. Besdies, Lou loves the kid because he sees alot of him in the-riot.

 

Cedeno has NEVER been given a second chance (but then again he shouldn't because Theriot has been outstanding at SS and is clearly the man over there).

 

All I was saying is that Lou hasn't, and isn't planning on, giving Murton a fair shake because of what happened in April and that is flat out WRONG. I can understand not wanting to call up Pie from an offensive point of view, but Pie needs to be brought up because he is the only guy that can play solid defense in a very defensive-minded position.

 

Exactly Ryan was "benched" to get his swing back because Lou said his bat was getting slow. Not because of him being in the doghouse like Cedeno, Murton, Pie. It seems as if once a young player gets in Lous doghouse there is no coming out of it, but a Veteran gets his chance to work his way out of it.

[Derwood]

http://www.simleaguebaseball.com/derwood/dartboard.jpg

[98navigator]

I don't understand why anyone is surprised by this move. Lou is consistent with his managerial style. He is someone who doesn't tolerate failure and in Lou's mind..

 

A) Murton failed him when he droped two fly balls in April

B) Pie failed him because he couldn't hit good enough to stay in the show when given two chances this season

 

You GOTTA love a manager that doesn't give another chance to let someone "wrong a right" (note the sarcasm).

 

This isn't entirely true. Lou has given Cedeno a second chance and he's allowing Eyre and Jones the opportunity to play; one could argue that he was forced to do so by the contracts of the last two but that didn't stop him from burying JJ (and Cesar) for long stretches a few months ago.

 

On the subject of Pie, this team can't afford to allow him to hit .200. There are 52 games left in this season and Lou isn't a AAA manager. Overall, Lou has done a fine job this season and while I like Murton, I'm not going to lobby for him over any other player. I don't care who plays just as long as they are productive. It's not like Murton was hitting the cover off the ball at any point this season for the Cubs (and his defense was a problem--and it had very little to do with playing RF for the first time because he failed to make routine plays on balls that should have been in the glove).

 

Hell, we're talking about the same manager who thought Theriot wasn't a ML SS earlier in the year. Yet, he allowed Theriot to play enough to win the job fulltime.

 

When? The only players under Lou who have been given 2nd chances are proven veterans like Jones and Eyre.

 

What? Do you really think Cedeno would have been recalled if Lou didn't want him on the 25 man roster? He would have told Hendry "no way." I think being recalled after a failed attempt to stay here earlier in the year qualifies as a second chance. The Cubs could have kept Izturis to fill the bench role. Instead, they moved him and made room for their own guys.

 

I think you are confusing Lou with Dusty. Lou is going to play whomever will hit the ball without regard for tenure.

 

Him being recalled, and him given a 2nd chance are different. He is "here" but its not like hes been given a chance to play.

 

Its pretty obvious Lou likes Theriot because of his "grittyness" and "spark" You cant compare his situation to that of Murton, or Pie.

 

 

Cedeno is Theriot's backup! By definition, he's only going to get limited time. Again, if Lou didn't have confidence in Ronny he would have recommended that the Cubs keep Izturis for the bench (which, at the very least would be a Dusty move. Although, it's more likely that Theriot would have remained Izturis' backup under Dusty).

[Soul]

All I was saying is that Lou hasn't, and isn't planning on, giving Murton a fair shake because of what happened in April and that is flat out WRONG.

 

I can't understand it. Can't deal with it. It was only 1 month of the season! He went back to the minors like a good soldier and worked hard!

 

Can't countenance this from Lou. It's CRAP!

[Keener98]

I don't understand why anyone is surprised by this move. Lou is consistent with his managerial style. He is someone who doesn't tolerate failure and in Lou's mind..

 

A) Murton failed him when he droped two fly balls in April

B) Pie failed him because he couldn't hit good enough to stay in the show when given two chances this season

 

You GOTTA love a manager that doesn't give another chance to let someone "wrong a right" (note the sarcasm).

 

This isn't entirely true. Lou has given Cedeno a second chance and he's allowing Eyre and Jones the opportunity to play; one could argue that he was forced to do so by the contracts of the last two but that didn't stop him from burying JJ (and Cesar) for long stretches a few months ago.

 

On the subject of Pie, this team can't afford to allow him to hit .200. There are 52 games left in this season and Lou isn't a AAA manager. Overall, Lou has done a fine job this season and while I like Murton, I'm not going to lobby for him over any other player. I don't care who plays just as long as they are productive. It's not like Murton was hitting the cover off the ball at any point this season for the Cubs (and his defense was a problem--and it had very little to do with playing RF for the first time because he failed to make routine plays on balls that should have been in the glove).

 

Hell, we're talking about the same manager who thought Theriot wasn't a ML SS earlier in the year. Yet, he allowed Theriot to play enough to win the job fulltime.

 

When? The only players under Lou who have been given 2nd chances are proven veterans like Jones and Eyre.

 

What? Do you really think Cedeno would have been recalled if Lou didn't want him on the 25 man roster? He would have told Hendry "no way." I think being recalled after a failed attempt to stay here earlier in the year qualifies as a second chance. The Cubs could have kept Izturis to fill the bench role. Instead, they moved him and made room for their own guys.

 

I think you are confusing Lou with Dusty. Lou is going to play whomever will hit the ball without regard for tenure.

 

Him being recalled, and him given a 2nd chance are different. He is "here" but its not like hes been given a chance to play.

 

Its pretty obvious Lou likes Theriot because of his "grittyness" and "spark" You cant compare his situation to that of Murton, or Pie.

 

 

Cedeno is Theriot's backup! By definition, he's only going to get limited time. Again, if Lou didn't have confidence in Ronny he would have recommended that the Cubs keep Izturis for the bench (which, at the very least would be a Dusty move. Although, it's more likely that Theriot would have remained Izturis' backup under Dusty).

 

Cedeno can also play 2nd, and Fontenot keeps being put there even against lefties. Cedeno has not been given a 2nd chance by being recalled.

[98navigator]

98, Lou can't just bail on Jones and Eyre because they are on the forty man roster and its also abundantly apparant that nobody else in baseball wants them.

 

Ryan Theriot has never been in Lou's "doghouse" so you can't put him in this discussion. Besdies, Lou loves the kid because he sees alot of him in the-riot.

 

Cedeno has NEVER been given a second chance (but then again he shouldn't because Theriot has been outstanding at SS and is clearly the man over there).

 

All I was saying is that Lou hasn't, and isn't planning on, giving Murton a fair shake because of what happened in April and that is flat out WRONG. I can understand not wanting to call up Pie from an offensive point of view, but Pie needs to be brought up because he is the only guy that can play solid defense in a very defensive-minded position.

 

Exactly Ryan was "benched" to get his swing back because Lou said his bat was getting slow. Not because of him being in the doghouse like Cedeno, Murton, Pie. It seems as if once a young player gets in Lous doghouse there is no coming out of it, but a Veteran gets his chance to work his way out of it.

 

 

Cedeno wouldnt be on the team if Lou didn't want him. Pie wasn't in the doghouse he didn't hit.

[Keener98]

98, Lou can't just bail on Jones and Eyre because they are on the forty man roster and its also abundantly apparant that nobody else in baseball wants them.

 

Ryan Theriot has never been in Lou's "doghouse" so you can't put him in this discussion. Besdies, Lou loves the kid because he sees alot of him in the-riot.

 

Cedeno has NEVER been given a second chance (but then again he shouldn't because Theriot has been outstanding at SS and is clearly the man over there).

 

All I was saying is that Lou hasn't, and isn't planning on, giving Murton a fair shake because of what happened in April and that is flat out WRONG. I can understand not wanting to call up Pie from an offensive point of view, but Pie needs to be brought up because he is the only guy that can play solid defense in a very defensive-minded position.

 

Exactly Ryan was "benched" to get his swing back because Lou said his bat was getting slow. Not because of him being in the doghouse like Cedeno, Murton, Pie. It seems as if once a young player gets in Lous doghouse there is no coming out of it, but a Veteran gets his chance to work his way out of it.

 

 

Cedeno wouldnt be on the team if Lou didn't want him. Pie wasn't in the doghouse he didn't hit.

 

We will have to agree to disagree, because him being here means nothing. It was the most logical choise with how Ronny was hitting, and how much Izturis sucked.

[3Dog]

98, Lou can't just bail on Jones and Eyre because they are on the forty man roster and its also abundantly apparant that nobody else in baseball wants them.

 

Ryan Theriot has never been in Lou's "doghouse" so you can't put him in this discussion. Besdies, Lou loves the kid because he sees alot of him in the-riot.

 

Cedeno has NEVER been given a second chance (but then again he shouldn't because Theriot has been outstanding at SS and is clearly the man over there).

 

All I was saying is that Lou hasn't, and isn't planning on, giving Murton a fair shake because of what happened in April and that is flat out WRONG. I can understand not wanting to call up Pie from an offensive point of view, but Pie needs to be brought up because he is the only guy that can play solid defense in a very defensive-minded position.

 

Exactly Ryan was "benched" to get his swing back because Lou said his bat was getting slow. Not because of him being in the doghouse like Cedeno, Murton, Pie. It seems as if once a young player gets in Lous doghouse there is no coming out of it, but a Veteran gets his chance to work his way out of it.

 

 

Cedeno wouldnt be on the team if Lou didn't want him. Pie wasn't in the doghouse he didn't hit.

 

We will have to agree to disagree, because him being here means nothing. It was the most logical choise with how Ronny was hitting, and how much Izturis sucked.

 

There's gonna be a problem, then, if Lou buries Pie in the doghouse and Hendry continues to say Pie's untouchable in trade discussions.

[oldcubsfan]

Murton is the right handed version of Ben Grieve and Lou hated Grieve in Tampa. Not his style of ballplayer.

[C.C.]

98, Lou can't just bail on Jones and Eyre because they are on the forty man roster and its also abundantly apparant that nobody else in baseball wants them.

 

Ryan Theriot has never been in Lou's "doghouse" so you can't put him in this discussion. Besdies, Lou loves the kid because he sees alot of him in the-riot.

 

Cedeno has NEVER been given a second chance (but then again he shouldn't because Theriot has been outstanding at SS and is clearly the man over there).

 

All I was saying is that Lou hasn't, and isn't planning on, giving Murton a fair shake because of what happened in April and that is flat out WRONG. I can understand not wanting to call up Pie from an offensive point of view, but Pie needs to be brought up because he is the only guy that can play solid defense in a very defensive-minded position.

 

Exactly Ryan was "benched" to get his swing back because Lou said his bat was getting slow. Not because of him being in the doghouse like Cedeno, Murton, Pie. It seems as if once a young player gets in Lous doghouse there is no coming out of it, but a Veteran gets his chance to work his way out of it.

 

 

Cedeno wouldnt be on the team if Lou didn't want him. Pie wasn't in the doghouse he didn't hit.

 

YES! When he was hitting he was penned into the 2-hole. It was when he went cold (and looked clueless) that he lost playing time.

[C.C.]

Murton is the right handed version of Ben Grieve and Lou hated Grieve in Tampa. Not his style of ballplayer.

 

Don't insult Murton.

[CubColtPacer]

98, Lou can't just bail on Jones and Eyre because they are on the forty man roster and its also abundantly apparant that nobody else in baseball wants them.

 

Ryan Theriot has never been in Lou's "doghouse" so you can't put him in this discussion. Besdies, Lou loves the kid because he sees alot of him in the-riot.

 

Cedeno has NEVER been given a second chance (but then again he shouldn't because Theriot has been outstanding at SS and is clearly the man over there).

 

All I was saying is that Lou hasn't, and isn't planning on, giving Murton a fair shake because of what happened in April and that is flat out WRONG. I can understand not wanting to call up Pie from an offensive point of view, but Pie needs to be brought up because he is the only guy that can play solid defense in a very defensive-minded position.

 

Exactly Ryan was "benched" to get his swing back because Lou said his bat was getting slow. Not because of him being in the doghouse like Cedeno, Murton, Pie. It seems as if once a young player gets in Lous doghouse there is no coming out of it, but a Veteran gets his chance to work his way out of it.

 

 

Cedeno wouldnt be on the team if Lou didn't want him. Pie wasn't in the doghouse he didn't hit.

 

We will have to agree to disagree, because him being here means nothing. It was the most logical choise with how Ronny was hitting, and how much Izturis sucked.

 

There's gonna be a problem, then, if Lou buries Pie in the doghouse and Hendry continues to say Pie's untouchable in trade discussions.

 

I'm not sure Pie is in the doghouse. Lou started him for a while when Soriano was hurt, and then Pie played himself out of the job. Lou started him for a longer period in June, and then Pie played himself out of the job again. I'm not sure Pie will get another chance this year (except for limited starts in September when rosters expand) but I haven't seen anything to suggest that Pie has fallen into the doghouse.

If he was in the doghouse, why would Lou be working with him personally so much right before he went down again? Also, Lou said that he would love to have Pie up with the ballclub the whole year because he added value to the club, but that he understood if Hendry felt it was better for Pie's development to get consistent at-bats down at the minor league level.

Edited August 6, 2007 by CubColtPacer

[98navigator]

I don't understand why anyone is surprised by this move. Lou is consistent with his managerial style. He is someone who doesn't tolerate failure and in Lou's mind..

 

A) Murton failed him when he droped two fly balls in April

B) Pie failed him because he couldn't hit good enough to stay in the show when given two chances this season

 

You GOTTA love a manager that doesn't give another chance to let someone "wrong a right" (note the sarcasm).

 

This isn't entirely true. Lou has given Cedeno a second chance and he's allowing Eyre and Jones the opportunity to play; one could argue that he was forced to do so by the contracts of the last two but that didn't stop him from burying JJ (and Cesar) for long stretches a few months ago.

 

On the subject of Pie, this team can't afford to allow him to hit .200. There are 52 games left in this season and Lou isn't a AAA manager. Overall, Lou has done a fine job this season and while I like Murton, I'm not going to lobby for him over any other player. I don't care who plays just as long as they are productive. It's not like Murton was hitting the cover off the ball at any point this season for the Cubs (and his defense was a problem--and it had very little to do with playing RF for the first time because he failed to make routine plays on balls that should have been in the glove).

 

Hell, we're talking about the same manager who thought Theriot wasn't a ML SS earlier in the year. Yet, he allowed Theriot to play enough to win the job fulltime.

 

When? The only players under Lou who have been given 2nd chances are proven veterans like Jones and Eyre.

 

What? Do you really think Cedeno would have been recalled if Lou didn't want him on the 25 man roster? He would have told Hendry "no way." I think being recalled after a failed attempt to stay here earlier in the year qualifies as a second chance. The Cubs could have kept Izturis to fill the bench role. Instead, they moved him and made room for their own guys.

 

I think you are confusing Lou with Dusty. Lou is going to play whomever will hit the ball without regard for tenure.

 

Him being recalled, and him given a 2nd chance are different. He is "here" but its not like hes been given a chance to play.

 

Its pretty obvious Lou likes Theriot because of his "grittyness" and "spark" You cant compare his situation to that of Murton, or Pie.

 

 

Cedeno is Theriot's backup! By definition, he's only going to get limited time. Again, if Lou didn't have confidence in Ronny he would have recommended that the Cubs keep Izturis for the bench (which, at the very least would be a Dusty move. Although, it's more likely that Theriot would have remained Izturis' backup under Dusty).

 

Cedeno can also play 2nd, and Fontenot keeps being put there even against lefties. Cedeno has not been given a 2nd chance by being recalled.

 

The only reason Fontenot has started against some lefties is because Lou likes to stick a LH bat in the lineup against them. Ronny is Riot's backup. He would be the third option at 2B behind DeRo and Fontenot... Lately, DeRo was getting the 2B starts but that may change with Sori out because he may need to play OF.

[98navigator]

double post Edited August 6, 2007 by 98navigator

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Murton is the right handed version of Ben Grieve and Lou hated Grieve in Tampa. Not his style of ballplayer.

 

My goodness, that's an awful comparison.

[Bote McBoteface]

I don't understand why anyone is surprised by this move. Lou is consistent with his managerial style. He is someone who doesn't tolerate failure and in Lou's mind..

 

A) Murton failed him when he droped two fly balls in April

B) Pie failed him because he couldn't hit good enough to stay in the show when given two chances this season

 

You GOTTA love a manager that doesn't give another chance to let someone "wrong a right" (note the sarcasm).

 

Ironic because there are certain players who get quite a bit of PT that make mistakes consistently and still get run out there.

 

But those said players have had past success in the ML.

 

And Murton hasn't?

[Derwood]

Murton is the right handed version of Ben Grieve and Lou hated Grieve in Tampa. Not his style of ballplayer.

 

My goodness, that's an awful comparison.

 

yeah, Murton never won the ROY Award (ha ha ha)

[treebird]

Murton is the right handed version of Ben Grieve and Lou hated Grieve in Tampa. Not his style of ballplayer.

 

you have got to be kidding me, that's just about the worst comparison i have ever heard, unless you just want to talk about white outfielders.

[98navigator]

Anyway, I'm not convinced that Murton is in Lou's doghouse. Lou has given him another chance just by recalling him (and sending out Jake Fox). I'm willing to bet that Matt will get an opportunity to play soon. He's going to have to take advantage of it because the limited number of remaining games, coupled with Lou's desire to play the hot hand, will be working against anyone not named Lee or Ramirez.

[Keener98]

I don't understand why anyone is surprised by this move. Lou is consistent with his managerial style. He is someone who doesn't tolerate failure and in Lou's mind..

 

A) Murton failed him when he droped two fly balls in April

B) Pie failed him because he couldn't hit good enough to stay in the show when given two chances this season

 

You GOTTA love a manager that doesn't give another chance to let someone "wrong a right" (note the sarcasm).

 

This isn't entirely true. Lou has given Cedeno a second chance and he's allowing Eyre and Jones the opportunity to play; one could argue that he was forced to do so by the contracts of the last two but that didn't stop him from burying JJ (and Cesar) for long stretches a few months ago.

 

On the subject of Pie, this team can't afford to allow him to hit .200. There are 52 games left in this season and Lou isn't a AAA manager. Overall, Lou has done a fine job this season and while I like Murton, I'm not going to lobby for him over any other player. I don't care who plays just as long as they are productive. It's not like Murton was hitting the cover off the ball at any point this season for the Cubs (and his defense was a problem--and it had very little to do with playing RF for the first time because he failed to make routine plays on balls that should have been in the glove).

 

Hell, we're talking about the same manager who thought Theriot wasn't a ML SS earlier in the year. Yet, he allowed Theriot to play enough to win the job fulltime.

 

When? The only players under Lou who have been given 2nd chances are proven veterans like Jones and Eyre.

 

What? Do you really think Cedeno would have been recalled if Lou didn't want him on the 25 man roster? He would have told Hendry "no way." I think being recalled after a failed attempt to stay here earlier in the year qualifies as a second chance. The Cubs could have kept Izturis to fill the bench role. Instead, they moved him and made room for their own guys.

 

I think you are confusing Lou with Dusty. Lou is going to play whomever will hit the ball without regard for tenure.

 

Him being recalled, and him given a 2nd chance are different. He is "here" but its not like hes been given a chance to play.

 

Its pretty obvious Lou likes Theriot because of his "grittyness" and "spark" You cant compare his situation to that of Murton, or Pie.

 

 

Cedeno is Theriot's backup! By definition, he's only going to get limited time. Again, if Lou didn't have confidence in Ronny he would have recommended that the Cubs keep Izturis for the bench (which, at the very least would be a Dusty move. Although, it's more likely that Theriot would have remained Izturis' backup under Dusty).

 

Cedeno can also play 2nd, and Fontenot keeps being put there even against lefties. Cedeno has not been given a 2nd chance by being recalled.

 

The only reason Fontenot has started against some lefties is because Lou likes to stick a LH bat in the lineup against them. Ronny is Riot's backup. He would be the third option at 2B behind DeRo and Fontenot... Lately, DeRo was getting the 2B starts but that may change with Sori out because he may need to play OF.

 

The last 2 games are the only ones recently against a lefty that Lou has stuck a LH bat in the lineup. He has consistently went with an all righty lineup vs leftys.

[Keener98]

Anyway, I'm not convinced that Murton is in Lou's doghouse. Lou has given him another chance just by recalling him (and sending out Jake Fox). I'm willing to bet that Matt will get an opportunity to play soon. He's going to have to take advantage of it because the limited number of remaining games, coupled with Lou's desire to play the hot hand, will be working against anyone not named Lee or Ramirez.

 

If Murt cant even get in the game after losing a starting OF and over a left handed 2nd baseman, then I think its safe to assume Murton isnt going to be seeing a lot of playing time.