Eric Patterson called up

[17 Seconds]

I can only think of one good reason to bring up Patterson rather than Murton and it's this. If the Cubs are dead set that they're not moving Fukudome to CF, then it makes sense to play someone that can move to CF when Soriano returns. I doubt Patterson is going to hit well enough to win that job, but it's something that the organization may be thinking about. If he put up a line something like .275/.340/.450, then the Cubs could slide him over to CF and go hard after another starter and possibly a lefty reliever. It would seem the same logic would apply to Pie, but for whatever reason, the organization seems to think he doesn't fit in with the team this year.

 

Or it's just because Patterson has been outperforming Murton in Iowa.

 

I don't really see the anger over Patterson being called up. I'm glad. I've always defended Murton and think it's ridiculous the way the organization has jerked him around, but he didn't really earn this callup. If He was putting up his 2007 Iowa numbers right now, then it would be different.

 

As someone else said, a 26 year old corner outfielder who is slugging under .400 and OPSing just over .800 in the PCL doesn't deserve to be called up, I don't care what has happened in the past. He's experienced enough in AAA and at the major league level that he should be ripping up the pitching down there.

[RedFlash]

I can only think of one good reason to bring up Patterson rather than Murton and it's this. If the Cubs are dead set that they're not moving Fukudome to CF, then it makes sense to play someone that can move to CF when Soriano returns. I doubt Patterson is going to hit well enough to win that job, but it's something that the organization may be thinking about. If he put up a line something like .275/.340/.450, then the Cubs could slide him over to CF and go hard after another starter and possibly a lefty reliever. It would seem the same logic would apply to Pie, but for whatever reason, the organization seems to think he doesn't fit in with the team this year.

 

Or it's just because Patterson has been outperforming Murton in Iowa.

 

I don't really see the anger over Patterson being called up. I'm glad. I've always defended Murton and think it's ridiculous the way the organization has jerked him around, but he didn't really earn this callup. If He was putting up his 2007 Iowa numbers right now, then it would be different.

 

As someone else said, a 26 year old corner outfielder who is slugging under .400 and OPSing just over .800 in the PCL doesn't deserve to be called up, I don't care what has happened in the past. He's experienced enough in AAA and at the major league level that he should be ripping up the pitching down there.

 

Not to mention Patterson offers more versatility then Murton. Matt, likeable as he is...is a LF, plain and simple. Whereas Eric, can play 2b, to which Lou could put Dero in LF, and is, IMO a significant upgrade over Fontenot. Or Lou could put Eric in LF, and leave DeRo at 2B. Or on occasions, Lou can put Patterson in CF.

 

I like Murton, and I don't like how he was handled by the Cubs, but he is done with the Cubs IMO. The best bet for Murton and the Cubs is to move him to a team that can use him.

[Amazing_Grace]

I can only think of one good reason to bring up Patterson rather than Murton and it's this. If the Cubs are dead set that they're not moving Fukudome to CF, then it makes sense to play someone that can move to CF when Soriano returns. I doubt Patterson is going to hit well enough to win that job, but it's something that the organization may be thinking about. If he put up a line something like .275/.340/.450, then the Cubs could slide him over to CF and go hard after another starter and possibly a lefty reliever. It would seem the same logic would apply to Pie, but for whatever reason, the organization seems to think he doesn't fit in with the team this year.

 

Whether you agree with the decision making or not, the Cubs aren't making much of a mystery about why they brought up Patterson. Lou has been talking for a while about how he would like them to have more lefties in the lineup. Patterson accomplishes this because he can play him in LF and DH Hoffpauir in the interleague road games giving the Cubs 3 LH hitters in the lineup. Secondly, both Lou and Hendry talk a lot about having a prototypical lead off hitter so with Soriano out they are taking advantage to put that type of player at the top of the lineup. With the success Theriot is having batting second I am sure Lou doesn't want to mess with him too much.

 

Maybe at some point Fukudome is tried at leadoff but I think first Lou needs to be convinced that Hoffpauir or Edmonds can slide into the 5th hold and produce on par with what Fukudome is giving them in that spot currently.

 

I said that was the only "good" reason I could think of. I should have mentioned I can think of quite a few stupid reasons to go along with it (what hand a guy hits with being the stupidest there is). I really don't think very highly of Lou's "must-have-lefty-behind-Ramirez" nonsense.

 

The most asinine thing about this situation is that the Cubs spent all offseason trying to land a LH to hit leadoff. Now they have a LH hitter in RF whose numbers suggest he'd be awesome in that role and Lou won't move him there. Fukudome really should hit leadoff with Soriano 3 and Ramirez/Lee 4 and 5 in either order. With Soriano out, you just move everbody up 1 spot and hit EPatt or whoever 8th. Fortunately, studies show that batting order doesn't have much to do with overall production. The current lineup is producing because the players are producing individually, and that is by far the more important issue.

 

What Hoffpauir does is kind of irrelevant in my book since he really can only play LF and 1B, and when Soriano comes back his position is gone. Edmonds conceivably could hit well enough to move up to 5th, but I'm not gonna hold my breath on that one. I'd just like to get Edmonds out of the lineup and off the team.

[Amazing_Grace]

I can only think of one good reason to bring up Patterson rather than Murton and it's this. If the Cubs are dead set that they're not moving Fukudome to CF, then it makes sense to play someone that can move to CF when Soriano returns. I doubt Patterson is going to hit well enough to win that job, but it's something that the organization may be thinking about. If he put up a line something like .275/.340/.450, then the Cubs could slide him over to CF and go hard after another starter and possibly a lefty reliever. It would seem the same logic would apply to Pie, but for whatever reason, the organization seems to think he doesn't fit in with the team this year.

 

Or it's just because Patterson has been outperforming Murton in Iowa.

 

I don't really see the anger over Patterson being called up. I'm glad. I've always defended Murton and think it's ridiculous the way the organization has jerked him around, but he didn't really earn this callup. If He was putting up his 2007 Iowa numbers right now, then it would be different.

 

As someone else said, a 26 year old corner outfielder who is slugging under .400 and OPSing just over .800 in the PCL doesn't deserve to be called up, I don't care what has happened in the past. He's experienced enough in AAA and at the major league level that he should be ripping up the pitching down there.

 

Not to mention Patterson offers more versatility then Murton. Matt, likeable as he is...is a LF, plain and simple. Whereas Eric, can play 2b, to which Lou could put Dero in LF, and is, IMO a significant upgrade over Fontenot. Or Lou could put Eric in LF, and leave DeRo at 2B. Or on occasions, Lou can put Patterson in CF.

 

I like Murton, and I don't like how he was handled by the Cubs, but he is done with the Cubs IMO. The best bet for Murton and the Cubs is to move him to a team that can use him.

 

People are really quick to forget that Murton has proven himself in the majors. He had a very good season in 2006. I would look at those numbers before anything he's done in AAA. It can't be easy for Matt to stay motivated when he's basically been shoved off to the minors after proving himself over a whole season in 2006.

 

That said, I don't hate the Patterson callup either. I'd have called up Murton and Patterson and left Hoffpauir (the guy is 28, not a prospect, plays the same limited position as Murton, and there's no upside to using him as anything but a PH). Patterson has put up good numbers in Iowa this year, but what I like about him is that his minor league numbers the two seasons before that suggest he has a more patient approach than his brother did. He hasn't shown great patience this season, but the potential is there. He's certainly done well enough to deserve a callup. If Patterson does well, it gives us another option in CF for when Edmonds starts to suck again.

[Tyrant]

 

Just admit that you don't think Murton or Rich Hill look/act like ballplayers and that's why you hate them. It'll make for much more honest discussion than making up reasons.

 

I'm not sure what that really means. They look like baseball players to me, at least when they wear baseball uniforms.

 

Murton is slugging under .400 against AAA pitching. He can't play defense. He runs the bases like he's drunk. I understand that he can get on base at a decent clip, but he's nothing more than 4th OF material at this point in his career. I don't know why people are so upset he didn't get called up.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

 

Just admit that you don't think Murton or Rich Hill look/act like ballplayers and that's why you hate them. It'll make for much more honest discussion than making up reasons.

 

I'm not sure what that really means. They look like baseball players to me, at least when they wear baseball uniforms.

 

Murton is slugging under .400 against AAA pitching. He can't play defense. He runs the bases like he's drunk. I understand that he can get on base at a decent clip, but he's nothing more than 4th OF material at this point in his career. I don't know why people are so upset he didn't get called up.

 

Because we already had Eric Patterson on the roster, his name is Mike Fontenot. Someone who can hit LHP with power off the bench is something we don't have, and Murton could have provided it.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

 

Just admit that you don't think Murton or Rich Hill look/act like ballplayers and that's why you hate them. It'll make for much more honest discussion than making up reasons.

 

I'm not sure what that really means. They look like baseball players to me, at least when they wear baseball uniforms.

 

Murton is slugging under .400 against AAA pitching. He can't play defense. He runs the bases like he's drunk. I understand that he can get on base at a decent clip, but he's nothing more than 4th OF material at this point in his career. I don't know why people are so upset he didn't get called up.

 

Because we already had Eric Patterson on the roster, his name is Mike Fontenot. Someone who can hit LHP with power off the bench is something we don't have, and Murton could have provided it.

 

Again, I'm trying to figure out how a guy that can't slug over 400 in the PCL can provide consistent power at the MLB level.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

 

Just admit that you don't think Murton or Rich Hill look/act like ballplayers and that's why you hate them. It'll make for much more honest discussion than making up reasons.

 

I'm not sure what that really means. They look like baseball players to me, at least when they wear baseball uniforms.

 

Murton is slugging under .400 against AAA pitching. He can't play defense. He runs the bases like he's drunk. I understand that he can get on base at a decent clip, but he's nothing more than 4th OF material at this point in his career. I don't know why people are so upset he didn't get called up.

 

Because we already had Eric Patterson on the roster, his name is Mike Fontenot. Someone who can hit LHP with power off the bench is something we don't have, and Murton could have provided it.

 

Again, I'm trying to figure out how a guy that can't slug over 400 in the PCL can provide consistent power at the MLB level.

 

He had a .985 OPS against LHP in Iowa this year, and he has a career OPS over .880 against them at the MLB level.

[fromthestretch]

 

Just admit that you don't think Murton or Rich Hill look/act like ballplayers and that's why you hate them. It'll make for much more honest discussion than making up reasons.

 

I'm not sure what that really means. They look like baseball players to me, at least when they wear baseball uniforms.

 

Murton is slugging under .400 against AAA pitching. He can't play defense. He runs the bases like he's drunk. I understand that he can get on base at a decent clip, but he's nothing more than 4th OF material at this point in his career. I don't know why people are so upset he didn't get called up.

 

Because we already had Eric Patterson on the roster, his name is Mike Fontenot. Someone who can hit LHP with power off the bench is something we don't have, and Murton could have provided it.

 

Again, I'm trying to figure out how a guy that can't slug over 400 in the PCL can provide consistent power at the MLB level.

 

TT said "someone who can hit LHP with power." It should be no secret to anyone who has followed the Cubs the past few years that Murton hits lefties well.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

What is with the obsession over someoone that can hit LHP? The Cubs are actually fairing quite well vs LHP this seaon(subtract Soriano out of the equation, and they numbers vs LHP are still very good). I think the goal should be to add the better offensive player to the roster while Soriano is out. I'm not saying Patterson is absolutely better than Murton, or vice versa...I just don't see all the fuss about giving Patterson a shot.

[fromthestretch]

What is with the obsession over someoone that can hit LHP? The Cubs are actually fairing quite well vs LHP this seaon(subtract Soriano out of the equation, and they numbers vs LHP are still very good). I think the goal should be to add the better offensive player to the roster while Soriano is out. I'm not saying Patterson is absolutely better than Murton, or vice versa...I just don't see all the fuss about giving Patterson a shot.

 

A few posts about it makes it an obsession?

 

It's fair to say that it would be nice to have someone that can hit for power against left-handers off the bench. That's not an out-of-this-world request. I really don't see anyone here arguing to bring him up to start everyday.

[Illini Iceman]

 

Just admit that you don't think Murton or Rich Hill look/act like ballplayers and that's why you hate them. It'll make for much more honest discussion than making up reasons.

 

I'm not sure what that really means. They look like baseball players to me, at least when they wear baseball uniforms.

 

Murton is slugging under .400 against AAA pitching. He can't play defense. He runs the bases like he's drunk. I understand that he can get on base at a decent clip, but he's nothing more than 4th OF material at this point in his career. I don't know why people are so upset he didn't get called up.

 

Because we already had Eric Patterson on the roster, his name is Mike Fontenot. Someone who can hit LHP with power off the bench is something we don't have, and Murton could have provided it.

 

Again, I'm trying to figure out how a guy that can't slug over 400 in the PCL can provide consistent power at the MLB level.

 

TT said "someone who can hit LHP with power." It should be no secret to anyone who has followed the Cubs the past few years that Murton hits lefties well.

 

It's also no secret that he doesn't hit well off the bench.

[SouthSideRyan]

 

Just admit that you don't think Murton or Rich Hill look/act like ballplayers and that's why you hate them. It'll make for much more honest discussion than making up reasons.

 

I'm not sure what that really means. They look like baseball players to me, at least when they wear baseball uniforms.

 

Murton is slugging under .400 against AAA pitching. He can't play defense. He runs the bases like he's drunk. I understand that he can get on base at a decent clip, but he's nothing more than 4th OF material at this point in his career. I don't know why people are so upset he didn't get called up.

 

Because we already had Eric Patterson on the roster, his name is Mike Fontenot. Someone who can hit LHP with power off the bench is something we don't have, and Murton could have provided it.

 

Again, I'm trying to figure out how a guy that can't slug over 400 in the PCL can provide consistent power at the MLB level.

 

TT said "someone who can hit LHP with power." It should be no secret to anyone who has followed the Cubs the past few years that Murton hits lefties well.

 

It's also no secret that he doesn't hit well off the bench.

 

There is an open spot in LF for him to start in. He's put up a .295 .363 .451 line over ~950 PAs in the big leagues. I don't know what else he has to do.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The issue for me is that we brought up two LH hitters in Hauffpauir and Patterson when a better option may have been one of those and Murton which would have created some decent production in a platoon situation. It's not a crush on Murton by any means but more a feeling that he would have been a better use of the roster spot.

[Tracer Bullet]

Not to mention Patterson offers more versatility then Murton. Matt, likeable as he is...is a LF, plain and simple. Whereas Eric, can play 2b, to which Lou could put Dero in LF, and is, IMO a significant upgrade over Fontenot. Or Lou could put Eric in LF, and leave DeRo at 2B. Or on occasions, Lou can put Patterson in CF.

 

I like Murton, and I don't like how he was handled by the Cubs, but he is done with the Cubs IMO. The best bet for Murton and the Cubs is to move him to a team that can use him.

 

I can't tell you how many times we've gotten late in a ball game and I've thought "if only we had a fifth second basemen..."

[Warren Brusstar]

 

Just admit that you don't think Murton or Rich Hill look/act like ballplayers and that's why you hate them. It'll make for much more honest discussion than making up reasons.

 

I'm not sure what that really means. They look like baseball players to me, at least when they wear baseball uniforms.

 

Murton is slugging under .400 against AAA pitching. He can't play defense. He runs the bases like he's drunk. I understand that he can get on base at a decent clip, but he's nothing more than 4th OF material at this point in his career. I don't know why people are so upset he didn't get called up.

 

Because we already had Eric Patterson on the roster, his name is Mike Fontenot. Someone who can hit LHP with power off the bench is something we don't have, and Murton could have provided it.

 

Again, I'm trying to figure out how a guy that can't slug over 400 in the PCL can provide consistent power at the MLB level.

 

He had a .985 OPS against LHP in Iowa this year, and he has a career OPS over .880 against them at the MLB level.

 

Why is it that the very same posters (and I'm not including this particular poster, FWIW) are so quick to latch on to Murton's OPS v. LHP but absolutely refused to consider or acknowledge Jacque Jones' OPS v. RHP over the course of hsi career?

[Warren Brusstar]

 

Just admit that you don't think Murton or Rich Hill look/act like ballplayers and that's why you hate them. It'll make for much more honest discussion than making up reasons.

 

I'm not sure what that really means. They look like baseball players to me, at least when they wear baseball uniforms.

 

Murton is slugging under .400 against AAA pitching. He can't play defense. He runs the bases like he's drunk. I understand that he can get on base at a decent clip, but he's nothing more than 4th OF material at this point in his career. I don't know why people are so upset he didn't get called up.

 

Because we already had Eric Patterson on the roster, his name is Mike Fontenot. Someone who can hit LHP with power off the bench is something we don't have, and Murton could have provided it.

 

Again, I'm trying to figure out how a guy that can't slug over 400 in the PCL can provide consistent power at the MLB level.

 

TT said "someone who can hit LHP with power." It should be no secret to anyone who has followed the Cubs the past few years that Murton hits lefties well.

 

It's also no secret that he doesn't hit well off the bench.

 

So, he can't RHP and he can't hit off the bench. And we're all supposed to get the pitchforks out because the Cubs don't seem to have a roster spot for a guy that is useful only 30% of the time?

[jersey cubs fan]

 

Just admit that you don't think Murton or Rich Hill look/act like ballplayers and that's why you hate them. It'll make for much more honest discussion than making up reasons.

 

I'm not sure what that really means. They look like baseball players to me, at least when they wear baseball uniforms.

 

Murton is slugging under .400 against AAA pitching. He can't play defense. He runs the bases like he's drunk. I understand that he can get on base at a decent clip, but he's nothing more than 4th OF material at this point in his career. I don't know why people are so upset he didn't get called up.

 

Because we already had Eric Patterson on the roster, his name is Mike Fontenot. Someone who can hit LHP with power off the bench is something we don't have, and Murton could have provided it.

 

Again, I'm trying to figure out how a guy that can't slug over 400 in the PCL can provide consistent power at the MLB level.

 

He had a .985 OPS against LHP in Iowa this year, and he has a career OPS over .880 against them at the MLB level.

 

Why is it that the very same posters (and I'm not including this particular poster, FWIW) are so quick to latch on to Murton's OPS v. LHP but absolutely refused to consider or acknowledge Jacque Jones' OPS v. RHP over the course of hsi career?

 

Jacque was used as an everyday outfielder. He was also past his prime and on the downside of his career. Murton is in the timeframe where he should be in his prime, and he's a minimum wage earner whereas Jones had a bloated contract.

[brinoch]

Rather than signing Floyd last season, the Cubs ought to simply have used Jones and Murton in a platoon in LF/RF and gone after another plus OF via FA or trade. Obviously things worked out differently, and I'm very happy with Kosuke, but the Floyd decision was pretty dumb.