Rosenthal: Murton for Byrd dead & trade status update

[JGalt73]

Unable to pry Matt Murton from the Cubs, the Padres are among the teams eyeing Brewers outfielder Gabe Gross, who is out of options and caught in a potential roster bind...

 

The Padres are still looking for additional options in left, but the Cubs want major-league help for Murton. The much-discussed Murton-for-Marlon Byrd deal is all but dead due to the Rangers' asking price, sources said.

 

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[Transmogrified Tiger]

One would hope that a Murton for Byrd deal would be dead from the get go because of Texas' asking price, but good news nonetheless.

[Soul]

We keep dangling Murton out there like we need to get rid of the guy. I'm still left with this feeling in my gut that, after what 3 years? We still don't even know what this guy could really do if given the chance. I'm not sure I like being in a position where we'll be giving up a guy who has shown potential to be on base better than your average slug, and we don't really know what he might be if given an actual chance.

 

I mean sure, it depends on the deal. Of course. I'm just saying, why don't we really know what Murton is all these years later? That seems like a failure to me, and an unnecessary one.

[CuseCubFan69]

I've always thought that Murton had good work habits along with being a decent hitter. I don't understand the lack of interest by the Cubs regarding him while being in love (in theory) with Theriot for the same work habit qualities. As I've written before, I think Murton is a lot like Lou when he was a player, without the temper.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think dealing Murton is another example of Hendry often putting what may be best for the player over what may be best for the organization. Murton would be the ideal fourth OF. He has good patience and is not a bad hitter. If we had an injury in the OF, Murton could give starter's level performance in relief duty.

 

On the other hand, with long term deals to Fukudome and Soriano, Murton is without a position. He's not going to get a whole lot of AB's this year or in the foreseeable future. Hendry probably sees a deal as good for the Cubs if it brings back someone who can play some CF and even better for Murton if it gets him a chance to be an everyday player.

 

I really like Murton, but seeing how things are, I can see a deal being the best possible move for all involved.

[Roast]

I think dealing Murton is another example of Hendry often putting what may be best for the player over what may be best for the organization. Murton would be the ideal fourth OF. He has good patience and is not a bad hitter. If we had an injury in the OF, Murton could give starter's level performance in relief duty.

 

On the other hand, with long term deals to Fukudome and Soriano, Murton is without a position. He's not going to get a whole lot of AB's this year or in the foreseeable future. Hendry probably sees a deal as good for the Cubs if it brings back someone who can play some CF and even better for Murton if it gets him a chance to be an everyday player.

 

I really like Murton, but seeing how things are, I can see a deal being the best possible move for all involved.

 

Yeah I wrote about this on my blog the other day. He just doesn't have a position and I think we've found out he's not the best bench player - he tends to do better when he gets consistent at bats, which as you alluded to he's not going to get here. If we're not going to get any use out of him we need to trade him and at least get something - and give the poor guy a chance to start somewhere else.

[Abe Frohman]

Would this team be better with Soriano at 2B or CF, and Murton in LF? Offensively it seems so. Murton, to me, seems like he would be an ideal #2 hitter.

 

He would also fit in nicely in KC, Texas, and several other teams. He just has the makeup of a good ML hitter, to me. He seems to be nothing more than tradebait for the Cubs, as I don't recall any plans for him being discussed.

[TheGrinch]

Would this team be better with Soriano at 2B or CF, and Murton in LF? Offensively it seems so. Murton, to me, seems like he would be an ideal #2 hitter.

 

He would also fit in nicely in KC, Texas, and several other teams. He just has the makeup of a good ML hitter, to me. He seems to be nothing more than tradebait for the Cubs, as I don't recall any plans for him being discussed.

Soriano in CF would be absolutely awesome. In my fantasy world, the Cubs move Alf to center, Murton goes to left, and trade Pie for Greene or any top 15 SS... if you can't do that, trade Pie for Roberts, move Dero to SS, and watch the Cubs score 5 runs a game.

 

With a team like that, you could literally bat anyone anywhere and I really wouldn't care.

[Yestheydo]

Would this team be better with Soriano at 2B or CF, and Murton in LF? Offensively it seems so. Murton, to me, seems like he would be an ideal #2 hitter.

 

He would also fit in nicely in KC, Texas, and several other teams. He just has the makeup of a good ML hitter, to me. He seems to be nothing more than tradebait for the Cubs, as I don't recall any plans for him being discussed.

Soriano in CF would be absolutely awesome. In my fantasy world, the Cubs move Alf to center, Murton goes to left, and trade Pie for Greene or any top 15 SS... if you can't do that, trade Pie for Roberts, move Dero to SS, and watch the Cubs score 5 runs a game.

 

With a team like that, you could literally bat anyone anywhere and I really wouldn't care.

What I don't get is why they're so dead set against moving Soriano to CF "because he's not comfortable there" -- yet they seem equally set on moving him from leadoff, when his career numbers, not to mention Soriano himself, make it extremely clear he's most comfortable there. If you're going to take him out of his comfort zone anyway --all but guaranteeing a severe drop in productivity -- may as well stick him in CF and platoon Pie with Murton in left. Or better yet, find out what it would take to turn Murton into Luke Scott and use Pie to upgrade SS.

[JoshiQ]

I'm going to be so annoyed when Murton is finally traded...especially after naming my cat "Murt."

[shnsajax]

Have we even heard a word from Murton this entire offseason. He doesn't come across as the guy who would complain about much. I would love to see him as the 4th OF, but if he is able to be given an every day chance somewhere else and we are able to get real value I won't complain. I would prefer Murton stayed a Cub all season though.

[brinoch]

The Cubs shouldn't trade Murton unless they get good value for him, simple as that. I understand wanting to give guys a chance, but having Murton on the bench gives the Cubs a heck of a 4th OFer. That's important to the team, though perhaps not in Murton's best long-term interest. If you can get something you need for him, or if he can be a piece of a larger trade, fine. If not, then he can be happy as the best 4th OF in baseball (hopefully).

[17 Seconds]

Have we even heard a word from Murton this entire offseason. He doesn't come across as the guy who would complain about much. I would love to see him as the 4th OF, but if he is able to be given an every day chance somewhere else and we are able to get real value I won't complain. I would prefer Murton stayed a Cub all season though.

 

There was an article a week or (can't remember where) about Murton and he didn't actually say he wanted to be traded, but it was pretty obvious. He kept talking about how he likes Chicago, but feels that he'll never get an opportunity to take it to the next level here and basically that he wouldn't mind a trade. Definitely sounded like he'd like to be moved.

[BigbadB]

The problem is that the Cubs have always treated him like a 5th wheel, so his trade value is minimal. There probably isn't a team in the game that views Murton as anything more than a possible platoon or 4th outfielder.

 

Teams just don't give up much for a corner outfielder with little to show at the major league level. Unless he helps net a quality player like Brian Roberts, I'd rather not trade him.

 

Even if he goes to Baltimore, he's battling for playing time with Luke Scott and Jay Gibbons (assuming Adam Jones is in CF). Even if he's traded to Texas, he's battling for playing time with Botts, Catallonotto and Nelson Cruz.

[biittner77]

The problem is that the Cubs have always treated him like a 5th wheel, so his trade value is minimal. There probably isn't a team in the game that views Murton as anything more than a possible platoon or 4th outfielder.

 

Teams just don't give up much for a corner outfielder with little to show at the major league level. Unless he helps net a quality player like Brian Roberts, I'd rather not trade him.

 

Even if he goes to Baltimore, he's battling for playing time with Luke Scott and Jay Gibbons (assuming Adam Jones is in CF). Even if he's traded to Texas, he's battling for playing time with Botts, Catallonotto and Nelson Cruz.

 

I think Gibbons- when he gets back from suspension- will probably play more 1st base. Of course the O's still have markakis which crowds their OF anyway.

 

I don't believe other teams care whether the Cubs think he is good. The fact that he doesn't fit in on the Cubs is good because it's making him available. Whether or not he's good enough to start in LF somewhere I'd say maybe 3-5 teams.

[CyHawk_Cub]

The problem is that the Cubs have always treated him like a 5th wheel, so his trade value is minimal. There probably isn't a team in the game that views Murton as anything more than a possible platoon or 4th outfielder.

 

Teams just don't give up much for a corner outfielder with little to show at the major league level. Unless he helps net a quality player like Brian Roberts, I'd rather not trade him.

 

Even if he goes to Baltimore, he's battling for playing time with Luke Scott and Jay Gibbons (assuming Adam Jones is in CF). Even if he's traded to Texas, he's battling for playing time with Botts, Catallonotto and Nelson Cruz.

 

I think Gibbons- when he gets back from suspension- will probably play more 1st base. Of course the O's still have markakis which crowds their OF anyway.

 

I don't believe other teams care whether the Cubs think he is good. The fact that he doesn't fit in on the Cubs is good because it's making him available. Whether or not he's good enough to start in LF somewhere I'd say maybe 3-5 teams.

 

True, but it also makes clear to those teams that Murton might be had at a lower asking price simply b/c the Cubs don't value him enough...

[UBlink]

True, but it also makes clear to those teams that Murton might be had at a lower asking price simply b/c the Cubs don't value him enough...

 

As long as more than one team is interested in him it doesn't matter what he's worth to the Cubs.

[JGalt73]

Are there two Marlon Byrds?

 

Q: Noting the need for leadership in the clubhouse, who are some pitchers the Rangers would be eyeing in the Cubs system to go along with Matt Murton? I would imagine that they would go for some nice up side high Class A pitchers but it sure would be nice to see a solid Class AA player instead.

 

Nace Lanier, Washington D.C.

 

GRANT: You are referring to talks the Rangers had with the Chicago Cubs regarding Marlon Byrd. As mentioned just above, Byrd holds practical importance for the Rangers as a fielder beyond the "leadership" intangible. Murton can't play all three outfield positions; Byrd can and well.

 

For the Rangers to make this deal, they are probably going to want the Cubs' top pitching prospect, 21-year-old right-hander Jose Ceda or their No. 3 prospect, 23-year-old lefty Donald Veal. Veal pitched at Double-A last year. There are a lot of analysts out there who think the Cubs would be crazy to part with that much. But the Rangers aren't pursuing this trade; it's the Cubs. The Rangers are perfectly comfortable with Byrd in their outfield.

[Post Count Padder]

Are there two Marlon Byrds?

 

Q: Noting the need for leadership in the clubhouse, who are some pitchers the Rangers would be eyeing in the Cubs system to go along with Matt Murton? I would imagine that they would go for some nice up side high Class A pitchers but it sure would be nice to see a solid Class AA player instead.

 

Nace Lanier, Washington D.C.

 

GRANT: You are referring to talks the Rangers had with the Chicago Cubs regarding Marlon Byrd. As mentioned just above, Byrd holds practical importance for the Rangers as a fielder beyond the "leadership" intangible. Murton can't play all three outfield positions; Byrd can and well.

 

For the Rangers to make this deal, they are probably going to want the Cubs' top pitching prospect, 21-year-old right-hander Jose Ceda or their No. 3 prospect, 23-year-old lefty Donald Veal. Veal pitched at Double-A last year. There are a lot of analysts out there who think the Cubs would be crazy to part with that much. But the Rangers aren't pursuing this trade; it's the Cubs. The Rangers are perfectly comfortable with Byrd in their outfield.

This deal better stay dead.

[Soul]

Are there two Marlon Byrds?

 

Q: Noting the need for leadership in the clubhouse, who are some pitchers the Rangers would be eyeing in the Cubs system to go along with Matt Murton? I would imagine that they would go for some nice up side high Class A pitchers but it sure would be nice to see a solid Class AA player instead.

 

Nace Lanier, Washington D.C.

 

GRANT: You are referring to talks the Rangers had with the Chicago Cubs regarding Marlon Byrd. As mentioned just above, Byrd holds practical importance for the Rangers as a fielder beyond the "leadership" intangible. Murton can't play all three outfield positions; Byrd can and well.

 

For the Rangers to make this deal, they are probably going to want the Cubs' top pitching prospect, 21-year-old right-hander Jose Ceda or their No. 3 prospect, 23-year-old lefty Donald Veal. Veal pitched at Double-A last year. There are a lot of analysts out there who think the Cubs would be crazy to part with that much. But the Rangers aren't pursuing this trade; it's the Cubs. The Rangers are perfectly comfortable with Byrd in their outfield.

This deal better stay dead.

 

Apparently the Rangers are comfortable with losing, too.

[Elrhino]

Hendry has been dangling him for months, and I don't see anyone lining up the block to take him off his hands. Either none of the mlb front offices recognize the obvious greatness of Matt Murton or Hendry isn't selling him cheap.

[Backtobanks]

From MLBtraderumors.com:

Evan Grant believes the Rangers would want Jose Ceda or Donald Veal in a deal for Marlon Byrd.

 

:pig: :pig: :pig:

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

This deal is dead. The Cubs had interest in Byrd and thought they could get him with Murton. The Rangers thought they saw a sucker and tried to scam Ceda or Veal. The dialogue will likely continue, but right now there's little reason for either team to change their position.

 

If the Cubs felt Byrd was a missing piece, then maybe. But, Byrd is simply a bench player-insurance for the Cubs. I don't see this one gaining anymore steam.

[Old Style]

The Rangers are run by a bunch of morons. It would be a good deal for them straight up. They want us to throw in Ceda or Veal? I think steroids aren't the only drugs that have infiltrated their organization.

[CuseCubFan69]

This deal is dead. The Cubs had interest in Byrd and thought they could get him with Murton. The Rangers thought they saw a sucker and tried to scam Ceda or Veal. The dialogue will likely continue, but right now there's little reason for either team to change their position.

 

If the Cubs felt Byrd was a missing piece, then maybe. But, Byrd is simply a bench player-insurance for the Cubs. I don't see this one gaining anymore steam.

 

Is there a way to make this deal a bit bigger and satisfy the Cubs need for a leadoff hitter?