Murton for Byrd (Discussion- Not Actual Trade)- Rumor

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Apparently, TR Sullivan in DFW is reporting that the Cubs are interested in Byrd.

 

The Rangers may have finished putting together their team for Spring Training, but that hasn't stopped other teams from asking about their players.

The Chicago Cubs, according to Major League officials, have called and asked about center fielder Marlon Byrd. The Cubs are looking for a right-handed-hitting center fielder.

 

Byrd played center for the Rangers last season but is expected to switch to left after the acquisition of Josh Hamilton earlier this month.

 

The Cubs would likely be willing to give up left fielder Matt Murton, who hit .281 with eight home runs and 22 RBIs in 94 games and 235 at-bats in 2007. Murton played in 144 games for the Cubs in 2006 and batted .297 with 13 home runs and 62 RBIs. He is career .326 hitter against left-handed pitchers.

 

Right now, there have only been preliminary discussions between the two teams and no deal is imminent. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels declined to discuss specific trade rumors.

 

Cubs manager Lou Piniella, speaking at the Cubs Convention on Friday, said, "I don't think we'll do anything, honestly, but if we do, it will be in the outfield."

 

Byrd played in 109 games for the Rangers in 2007 and hit .307 with 10 home runs and 70 RBIs in 414 at-bats.

 

I perused the thread at http://www.newbergreport.com, and it appears the Ranger fans (mostly) would be thrilled to take Murton for Byrd straight up.

 

There are some that would want a pitcher back, but others would be willing to include a prospect on their end to get the deal done.

 

Here's a link to the thread for those who want to read and maybe join the discussion.

 

A few of the responses so far...

 

If Murton and a decent pitcher comes back I would pay attention, but if it is only Murton, I would rather Byrd just play this year.

 

If we could flip Byrd for Murton, I'd love that deal for the Rangers. If the Cubs add something on top of that, I'd be ecstatic.

 

I would trade Byrd for Murton without even blinking.

 

And then like a lot of our threads, the discussion takes a turn comparing Murton to Carlos Lee....

anyway, I like Murton a lot, but he's without a position on this team, so if the deal were Murton for Byrd, I'd probably do it.

 

If we have to add anything, unless that anything is Dempster or Marquis, then probably not.

Edited January 21, 2008 by vance_the_cubs_fan

[WrigleyinEngland]

Rogers is talking about Texas looking for pitcher and mentions Gallagher, I would have to give serious consideration to ever watching this team again if we traded Gallagher for Byrd brain.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Murton for Byrd is not a good trade......and I say that not implying Murton is great, but more along the lines of Byrd being garbage.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Making the decision on value alone, I'd say I'd rather have Murton than Byrd. However, Byrd may be of more value to the 2008 Cubs than Murton would be.

 

Byrd would provide some insurance to Pie needing to sit against tough lefties. Murton does not.

 

I'd prefer to offer a lesser player. Fuld for Byrd would work better for me. Kroeger for Byrd would make me ecstatic. If they want pitching, Petrick for Byrd would look better.

 

I might have to start talking bad about Jim if he does Gallagher for Byrd, because that would be stupid in colossal fashion.

[CUBZ99]

As far as value to the Cubs in 2008, I would think Byrd would have more value than Murton. Fukudome and Soriano aren't going to be taking many days off. Byrd could platoon with Pie or Fuld and be a decent right handed option off the bench.

[JeffH]

If they want pitching, Petrick for Byrd would look better.

 

Unless Petrick's shoulder is hanging on by a thread, I'd rather trade Murton.

[CUBZ99]

Making the decision on value alone, I'd say I'd rather have Murton than Byrd. However, Byrd may be of more value to the 2008 Cubs than Murton would be.

 

Byrd would provide some insurance to Pie needing to sit against tough lefties. Murton does not.

 

I'd prefer to offer a lesser player. Fuld for Byrd would work better for me. Kroeger for Byrd would make me ecstatic. If they want pitching, Petrick for Byrd would look better.

 

I might have to start talking bad about Jim if he does Gallagher for Byrd, because that would be stupid in colossal fashion.

 

You must type faster than me.

[mdwilla]

I clicked on this thread thinking it was a done deal ,you scared me Vance .

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Byrd would provide some insurance to Pie needing to sit against tough lefties. .

Its a good thought, but that is always how it starts...Byrd goes against lefties..then all of a sudden Byrd gets a few AB's vs. righties too(if Pie struggles a bit)..then it basically morph's into Byrd as our full time CF.

[ctcf]

I wouldn't be upset about it. If we're going to actually take a run at Pie, theres absolutely no room for Murton in that OF. I'd probably want a prospect with Byrd though.

[BigbadB]

I'm game for Murton for Byrd straight up. We are giving up the better talent of the two, but Murton is a man with no position and Byrd helps Pie out in CF and doesn't hurt the bench.

 

If Texas would rather give up Michael Young for Gallagher and Murton, I'd be game for that as well. Of course, I'd also have to approve a deal that sent Gallagher and Murton for Josh Hamilton.

[YearofDaCubs]

I wouldn't give up Murton for Byrd. We'll see how things play out.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

I don't think we will be getting the 2007 Byrd. And really anything outside of the 2007 Marlon Byrd is really, really bad. I'm talking "I'd rather see Sam Fuld 162 games" bad.

[Post Count Padder]

I don't think we will be getting the 2007 Byrd. And really anything outside of the 2007 Marlon Byrd is really, really bad. I'm talking "I'd rather see Sam Fuld 162 games" bad.

2003 Marlon Byrd wasn't bad, but I know what you're saying.

 

Anoyone else notice how his power numbers all but died once he got to the majors? He hit 28 homers in 2001 at AA.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I clicked on this thread thinking it was a done deal ,you scared me Vance .

 

I edited the title.

[FergieJ31]

I hate this move. Byrd is not equal value for Murton. I really don't get the "Murton doesn't seem to have a place on the Cubs" logic, just because the OF corner spots are locked in. I'd much rather have Matt on the bench and get his 150-175 PA's as the fourth OF.

 

I really get the feeling the Cubs are getting cold feet with Pie, maybe given his tepid winter league performance. If so, I'd much rather sign Lofton than trade Murton for Byrd. They better act fast though, looks like Kenny is close to signing with Milwaukee, which would suck.

[abuck1220]

just stick murton in cf.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

just go with 2 OF's. Plz, no Byrd.

[USSoccer]

Just have Murton play CF every 10th day or whatever, or sign Kenny Lofton if you really need to put training wheels on Pie.

 

I'd rather have Murton around to be a 4th OF than just dump him to get a platoon parter for Pie.

[Jon]

just stick murton in cf.

I'd rather see Murton in CF than Byrd, who is, for a lack of a better phrase, quite bad. He put up very good numbers at home in 2003 and 2007, but that's it. The guy had a .259/.304/.410/.714 line away from Texas last year. We can get that by staying within the system and keeping Murton.

[CubFanPhilly]

Move Sori back to CF, platoon Murton/Pie in LF.

 

Simple. And I know.... it'll never happen.

[TruffleShuffle]

wait what happened to playing kosuke in cf every now and then?

[CubColtPacer]

wait what happened to playing kosuke in cf every now and then?

 

I don't think the Cubs ever intended to move him. I'm pretty sure they have always maintained that he's going to play in RF and RF only. It was just speculation that had him moving to center against left-handers, although that would be a better option that trading for Byrd.

[SouthSideRyan]

Seriously, Murton in CF is a better idea.

[CubFanPhilly]

wait what happened to playing kosuke in cf every now and then?

 

I don't think the Cubs ever intended to move him. I'm pretty sure they have always maintained that he's going to play in RF and RF only. It was just speculation that had him moving to center against left-handers, although that would be a better option that trading for Byrd.

 

Kosuke said one of the reasons he chose the Cubs was to play RF exclusively.

 

On the other hand Soriano was just quoted as saying he'd do whatever Lou asked of him. He's not the world's best CF, but his arm as speed make up for his poor routes IMO.

 

A Murton/Pie platoon is a significant improvement over a Pie/Fuld or Pie/Byrd platoon.