Redhead up, Epatt down

[CUBZ99]

Lets hope that he gets off to a fast start this time around. You can almost guarantee that Murton is going to get one or two starts right away, and if he doesn't make a big impression he will be riding the pine for a few weeks.

[Jon]

Major league scouts were one of the few allowed in to the empty stands game a few days ago.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I liked Colin's take:

 

I love all the winning, but sometimes I find myself baffled by this organization. To wit:

 

"Matt Murton will get another chance to prove he's a major-league player this week when the Cubs recall him from Triple-A Iowa before Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay.

 

Manager Lou Piniella said Saturday the Cubs have lacked a corner outfielder and another right-handed hitter since Alfonso Soriano went on the disabled list last week. Murton fills the bill, and major-league sources said he received word on Sunday he'd be called up.

 

…

 

Murton's arrival means the Cubs are likely to send down infielder-outfielder Eric Patterson, who is 2-for-8 since being called up on Friday."

 

Really? You mean to tell me that a team where one of the two corner outfielders is hurt needs another corner outfielder? And our bench consists of three lefties who don’t hit very well, a backup catcher and Ronny Cedeno? (Note: when you’re willing to pinch hit for a guy with Ronny Cedeno, and that guy’s a first baseman – that’s not a good sign.)

 

Meanwhile, Eric Patterson was given all of eight at-bats to prove that he was, oh, I don’t know, better than Mike Fontenot. And Mike Fontenot is not a very high bar to get over. Here’s how I picture Mike Fontenot:

 

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2562024323_e0d79f40ae.jpg

 

 

The guy’s what I like to call a hamster. I mean, seriously, look at him and tell me you don’t see it.

 

I know Eric Patterson is a guy folks like to hate – and no small amount of it has to do with his brother, Corey – but he’s got some plus attributes to him, which is more than Fontenot has going for him. Patterson can play the outfield and he’s a great baserunner. But he’s not a left fielder, and he’s certainly not ready to be a major league leadoff man.

 

So the Cubs made this decision based upon information readily available when they made the Hoffpauir/Patterson callup. (Okay, to be fair – the Cubs aren’t going to just come out and SAY “There’s no way in hell that we’re going to let Edmonds bat against Kazmir, so we needed Murton so we can move Reed to center.)

[Little Slide Rooter]

So basically, he'll platoon in left with Johnson, while Edmonds gets the majority of time in center. We could do worse.

 

vs. RHP

Theriot

Fuku

Lee

Ramirez

Soto

Edmonds

DeRosa

Murton

P/DH

 

vs. LHP

Johnson

Theriot

Ramirez

Lee

Fuku

Soto(personally, Id switch Soto and Fuku)

Edmonds

DeRosa

P/DH

[jersey cubs fan]

So basically, he'll platoon in left with Johnson, while Edmonds gets the majority of time in center. We could do worse.

 

vs. RHP

Theriot

Fuku

Lee

Ramirez

Soto

Edmonds

DeRosa

Murton

P/DH

 

vs. LHP

Johnson

Theriot

Ramirez

Lee

Fuku

Soto(personally, Id switch Soto and Fuku)

Edmonds

DeRosa

P/DH

 

Edmonds everyday? Why?

[davearm2]

More likely:

 

LF: Murton/Hoffpauir

CF: Johnson/Edmonds

[Little Slide Rooter]

So basically, he'll platoon in left with Johnson, while Edmonds gets the majority of time in center. We could do worse.

 

vs. RHP

Theriot

Fuku

Lee

Ramirez

Soto

Edmonds

DeRosa

Murton

P/DH

 

vs. LHP

Johnson

Theriot

Ramirez

Lee

Fuku

Soto(personally, Id switch Soto and Fuku)

Edmonds

DeRosa

P/DH

 

Edmonds everyday? Why?

 

If he can stay healthy and productive, hes a huge assett, especially without Soriano.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

He doesn't play everyday because he's fragile, he doesn't play everyday because left handed pitchers make him look stupid.

[abuck1220]

if anyone can stay healthy and be productive, they're a huge asset.

[David]

Platooning Murton and Johnson makes absolutely no sense.

 

davearm has the right idea, IMO.

[Little Slide Rooter]

if anyone can stay healthy and be productive, they're a huge asset.

 

A healthy and productive Jim Edmonds is a huger asset than a healthy and productive Mike Fontenot, Ronny Cedeno, or even Reed Johnson.

[RynoRules]

More likely:

 

LF: Murton/Hoffpauir

CF: Johnson/Edmonds

 

Makes sense.

[Backtobanks]

More likely:

 

LF: Murton/Hoffpauir

CF: Johnson/Edmonds

 

Way too logical for the Cubs.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

The Count would like to chime in on Epatt getting sent down.

http://easyquestion.net/thinkagain/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/mt1135840120.jpg

"Two...Two Cups of Coffee AH AH AH AH...."

[CubColtPacer]

More likely:

 

LF: Murton/Hoffpauir

CF: Johnson/Edmonds

 

Way too logical for the Cubs.

 

Tend to agree. It will certainly be Edmonds/Johnson in CF. But I see the LF at-bats being handed out on a game to game basis. Johnson will gets starts in LF against right-handers, Hoffpauir will get starts there, Murton will get starts against left-handers, Fontenot will get occasional starts with DeRosa moving to LF, and Cedeno will get occasional starts with DeRosa moving to LF. Maybe the same group will start 3-4 games in a row, but I doubt you see the same 1-2 players getting at-bats there for very long before Lou tries yet another combination.

[mhuber92211]

The Count would like to chime in on Epatt getting sent down.

http://easyquestion.net/thinkagain/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/mt1135840120.jpg

"Two...Two Cups of Coffee AH AH AH AH...."

 

I knew that the count could never do it. That would be 3 cups of coffee, including his callup last season!

[Peoriaman]

well, 0-3 with 2 K's in game one. Sigh.

[Sammy Sofa]

Against one of the best strikeout pitchers in the game, too. What an inconsiderate ass.

[Peoriaman]

An ass? Jesus, settle down and relax.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

An ass? Jesus, settle down and relax.

You need a sarcasm dectector.

[Peoriaman]

I don't need a sarcasm detector--I get it. He still needs to chill.