How long before Murton is the everyday starter?

[erik316wttn]

With him being almost a .500 hitter since his callup (granted, 32 ab's isn't a big sample size) and Hollandsworth catching Corey Patterson disease at the plate, how long do you think it will be before Dusty makes Murton the everyday starter against both lefties and righties?

 

Now I'm not a big fan of Dusty, granted, but he DID give Doobie a chance (albiet a small one) earlier this year, so there is a precident.

[imb]

Should be pretty soon. The start+move up the order today was a good sign.

[CubinNY]

Should be pretty soon. The start+move up the order today was a good sign.

 

I agree with IMB. You can't fight success. Murton has to stay hot though.

[BigbadB]

I think the Cubs will land a LF bat before Murton gets the opportunity to become the everyday left fielder. But, I'd love to see him get plenty more playing time. If it's Floyd, Murton should start against lefties and once in awhile during a flood of righties. He could also give Burnitz an occasional day off during these dog days.

[imb]

What I'm really curious about is, when Murton does level off, If Dusty moves to a platoon again, will Gerut or Holly get the starts versus righties?

[Mark_R]

What I'm really curious about is, when Murton does level off, If Dusty moves to a platoon again, will Gerut or Holly get the starts versus righties?

 

He's gone with Holla the whole way, I don't see why he'd switch (other than him using some logic) at this point. I'm still wondering why we acquired Gerut in the first place.

[CubinNY]

I think the Cubs will land a LF bat before Murton gets the opportunity to become the everyday left fielder. But, I'd love to see him get plenty more playing time. If it's Floyd, Murton should start against lefties and once in awhile during a flood of righties. He could also give Burnitz an occasional day off during these dog days.

 

I pretty much agree BBB. However, we were discussing this a few days ago and I mentioned that Murton is just the type of hitter the Cubs need in this line up (this year). They really don't need a big bopper (high K/high power guy). They need some OBP. Murton provides that. I know that the corner outfield spot is a "traditional" spot for a masher but the Cubs have a few of those and not enough guys to be driven in.

 

I'd rather just go with Murton than give up prospect for a Floyd. Now if it's Dunn we are discussing, well that is a horse of a different color.

[Mark_R]

I think the Cubs will land a LF bat before Murton gets the opportunity to become the everyday left fielder. But, I'd love to see him get plenty more playing time. If it's Floyd, Murton should start against lefties and once in awhile during a flood of righties. He could also give Burnitz an occasional day off during these dog days.

 

I pretty much agree BBB. However, we were discussing this a few days ago and I mentioned that Murton is just the type of hitter the Cubs need in this line up (this year). They really don't need a big bopper (high K/high power guy). They need some OBP. Murton provides that. I know that the corner outfield spot is a "traditional" spot for a masher but the Cubs have a few of those and not enough guys to be driven in.

 

I'd rather just go with Murton than give up prospect for a Floyd. Now if it's Dunn we are discussing, well that is a horse of a different color.

 

We also need a manager to utilize him effectively and thus far, that's been the biggest setback. How long does everyone think it is before Murton gets the full time gig in LF (by full time I mean playing 5/7 games or so) barring a trade?

[BigbadB]

I think the Cubs will land a LF bat before Murton gets the opportunity to become the everyday left fielder. But, I'd love to see him get plenty more playing time. If it's Floyd, Murton should start against lefties and once in awhile during a flood of righties. He could also give Burnitz an occasional day off during these dog days.

 

I pretty much agree BBB. However, we were discussing this a few days ago and I mentioned that Murton is just the type of hitter the Cubs need in this line up (this year). They really don't need a big bopper (high K/high power guy). They need some OBP. Murton provides that. I know that the corner outfield spot is a "traditional" spot for a masher but the Cubs have a few of those and not enough guys to be driven in.

 

I'd rather just go with Murton than give up prospect for a Floyd. Now if it's Dunn we are discussing, well that is a horse of a different color.

 

Apparently, the Cubs have quite a handful of prospects that the Cubs can't all protect from Rule V this offseason, therefore it would make sense to deal a few of those prospects to fill holes at the trade deadline.

 

I'm not one of those "traditional" guys when it comes to power in a corner outfield spot. I wouldn't have minded Lawton in left field to start the season, but he went to Pitt via trade. If not a power guy, a good OBP guy is a must. That's why I'm down on Soriano. We already have power. OBP is our weakness. Dunn fixes OBP while adding power. I do like Murton a lot. However, in a pennant race with Dusty's penchant to go with a veteran, I'd rather see Hendry supply Dusty with a much better option than Hollandsworth for the stretch run.

 

This team can still make a run at the wild card. Nomar, Wood and Williamson is a boost within itself. However, these were all guys we expected to have at one point or another at the beginning of the season. A push is still necessary. Larry Bigbie isn't it.

 

If it's Soriano, so be it. But, I'd like to see a push for Dunn, Floyd, Huff or the equivilent first.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think Murton has really increased his trade value and if Hendry were a gambling man he should send him to the Reds in a package for Dunn or to Seattle for Suzuki.

 

To answer the question for the original post, until Hendry gets rid of Baker, Murton is a part time player. Now that Baker has seen Murton can bunt, he'll be more useful coming off the bench in Bakers eyes IMO.

[CubsWin]

I think Murton has really increased his trade value and if Hendry were a gambling man he should send him to the Reds in a package for Dunn or to Seattle for Suzuki.

 

To answer the question for the original post, until Hendry gets rid of Baker, Murton is a part time player. Now that Baker has seen Murton can bunt, he'll be more useful coming off the bench in Bakers eyes IMO.

While you may be right about Murton being a part time player so long as Dusty is here, Matt did make his first start against a right-handed pitcher today. So, without knowing whether Dusty has made some decision already on this subject, its possible that Murton has already been named the starter.

 

Assuming Matt keeps doing this well, I can't understand how a manager, who consistently has stated that he plays the players that he feels gives his team the best chance of winning, could sit a guy who is as hot as Murton is right now. Matt will cool off eventually, but so long as he keeps getting on base nearly 40% of the time and hits his way on around 30% of the time, I don't think Dusty is going to sit him much because Dusty wants to win.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think Murton has really increased his trade value and if Hendry were a gambling man he should send him to the Reds in a package for Dunn or to Seattle for Suzuki.

 

To answer the question for the original post, until Hendry gets rid of Baker, Murton is a part time player. Now that Baker has seen Murton can bunt, he'll be more useful coming off the bench in Bakers eyes IMO.

While you may be right about Murton being a part time player so long as Dusty is here, Matt did make his first start against a right-handed pitcher today. So, without knowing whether Dusty has made some decision already on this subject, its possible that Murton has already been named the starter.

 

Assuming Matt keeps doing this well, I can't understand how a manager, who consistently has stated that he plays the players that he feels gives his team the best chance of winning, could sit a guy who is as hot as Murton is right now. Matt will cool off eventually, but so long as he keeps getting on base nearly 40% of the time and hits his way on around 30% of the time, I don't think Dusty is going to sit him much because Dusty wants to win.

 

Matt made the start because of Vasquez being tougher on lefties than righties. I love to see the kid get a chance and move up to the 2 slot in the order.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

You aren't going to get Ichiro no matter how much you offer. And I'm guessing next year.

[umpunk]

I wouldn't mind seeing a platoon of Gerut/Murton.

[frostwyrm]

I wouldn't mind seeing a platoon of Gerut/Murton.

 

A straight L/R platoon would give Gerut the bulk of the time, which wouldn't be fair to Murton. Maybe it's due to his knee problems but Gerut has been lousy since 2003 and shouldn't automatically be given anything. Murton has done nothing but hit in both the minors and the majors so far this year and he deserves at least half the time in LF.

[CubsWin]

I wouldn't mind seeing a platoon of Gerut/Murton.

 

A straight L/R platoon would give Gerut the bulk of the time, which wouldn't be fair to Murton. Maybe it's due to his knee problems but Gerut has been lousy since 2003 and shouldn't automatically be given anything. Murton has done nothing but hit in both the minors and the majors so far this year and he deserves at least half the time in LF.

Agreed.

[CubfaninCA]

He won't get a shot at everyday until he's dealt off. Baker will credit himself w/ putting Murton in the right type of situations. Every hit Murton has got so far is due to Dusty. Jmo but I agree w/ BBB that the Cubs will deal for a LF, and my guess is Floyd. Sorry but Floyd > Murton.

[CubsWin]

Baker will credit himself w/ putting Murton in the right type of situations. Every hit Murton has got so far is due to Dusty.

Pretty strong and hateful opinion there. You got any basis in fact for it? I don't recall Dusty taking credit for anyone else's success before, but maybe I missed something.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Have you heard the way that Dusty talks about the way he plays Murton or the way he played Dubois? That would pretty much give you your answer.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

fwiw I've been batting Murton #2 in MVP 2005, and he's been tearing it up.

 

I think by next year he's going to be exactly what we need. I'm developing such manlove for this guy.

[Backtobanks]

He won't get a shot at everyday until he's dealt off. Baker will credit himself w/ putting Murton in the right type of situations. Every hit Murton has got so far is due to Dusty. Jmo but I agree w/ BBB that the Cubs will deal for a LF, and my guess is Floyd. Sorry but Floyd > Murton.

 

I agree, Murton will be the starting LF and have a long and solid career, but it won't be for the Cubs because they will use him to get a LF. Too bad because I think he will be successful in the majors.

[CuseCubFan69]

If I were to say Murton hits like any player in MLB it would be Jeter. He doesn't have Jeters foot speed but his swing reminds me of him. If the Cubs can keep getting power out the SS, 2B and RF (Nomar/Walker) positions I would be thrilled to have Murton hit 15 HR's and bat 300/380 in left.

[10man]

Murton's skill set (getting on base) is exactly what the Cubs were lacking last year and even this year. There is plenty of power in the other parts of the lineup already. Let's put him near the top of the order and see what he can do.

[BigbadB]

Murton's skill set (getting on base) is exactly what the Cubs were lacking last year and even this year. There is plenty of power in the other parts of the lineup already. Let's put him near the top of the order and see what he can do.

 

It certainly would have made more sense to bat Murton 2nd yesterday rather than Neifi.

[anemic offense]

I think Murton has really increased his trade value and if Hendry were a gambling man he should send him to the Reds in a package for Dunn or to Seattle for Suzuki.

 

To answer the question for the original post, until Hendry gets rid of Baker, Murton is a part time player. Now that Baker has seen Murton can bunt, he'll be more useful coming off the bench in Bakers eyes IMO.

 

I don't quite understand some people's obession with Adam Dunn. Not that you necessarily fall into that category but a monstrous power hitter, who plays poor defense, is slow, and strikes out a ton helps this team how? Right now our biggest weakness is a lack of run scorers, not run produces.

 

As far as Murton goes I'd love to see him start everyday and hit in the 2 hole. Not that he's extaordinarily fast, but he has above average speed, makes consistent contact, and does a superb job of hitting the other way. This would allow Todd to slot down to an RBI slot in the lineup, a place I think he'd thrive in. IMO this should be our everyday lineup:

 

Hairston

Murton

Lee

Burny

ARam

barrett

Walker

Cedeno

Pitcher spot

 

I'm obviously dreaming with Cedeno, since Neifi's Dusty's boyfriend, but I believ this is the lineup which best utilizes the talent we have thus yielding more results. But I'm afraid its nothing more than a pipedream with Dusty at the helm.