Outfield Alignment

[treebird]

Having speed doesn't make you a good CF candidate.

 

This also applies to Hairston, in my opinion. Even Corey's not as good as lat year defense easily outclasses Hairston.

[XZero771679666304]

Having speed doesn't make you a good CF candidate.

 

This also applies to Hairston, in my opinion. Even Corey's not as good as lat year defense easily outclasses Hairston.

 

I totally agree. Just like blazing speed doesn't make you a good basestealer.

 

And Lawton has been pretty bad recently as a corner OF regardless. Speed aside, Hairston would be better in CF. IMO, the Cubs now lack a good defensice CF, on the bench or in the lineup. Hairston and Macias are below average, and Lawton would be worse. I'd be half tempted to call corey back up and slap him on the 8 hole.

[treebird]

Having speed doesn't make you a good CF candidate.

 

This also applies to Hairston, in my opinion. Even Corey's not as good as lat year defense easily outclasses Hairston.

 

I totally agree. Just like blazing speed doesn't make you a good basestealer.

 

And Lawton has been pretty bad recently as a corner OF regardless. Speed aside, Hairston would be better in CF. IMO, the Cubs now lack a good defensice CF, on the bench or in the lineup. Hairston and Macias are below average, and Lawton would be worse. I'd be half tempted to call corey back up and slap him on the 8 hole.

 

I'd like to either see Corey back up like you say, or an OF of Lawton in left, Burnitz in center, and Murton in right and just hope they hit enough to make it work. It's not like Hairston's been amazing on offense either.

[frostwyrm]

Hairston's function was to lead off but Lawton can handle that now so Hairston doesn't have a clear role anymore. The OF ought to be

 

Murton LF

Burnitz CF

Lawton RF

 

But unfortunately Dusty gets to make the decision. The question now is which is strongest:

 

A) Dusty's innate dislike of rookies

B) Dusty's dislike for Hairston

C) Dusty's romantic feelings for Holly

[katway]

Burnitz CF info:

 

Last year, he played 69 games in center due to the Preston Wilson injuries... A Davenport Translation of 92 on defense and a ESPN zone rating of .792 both of which were well below average. The only worse NL regular in zone rating was Ken Griffey, Jr. (he was still recovering from injuries last year). Burnitz was the worst regular as measured by range factor.

[frostwyrm]

Burnitz CF info:

 

Last year, he played 69 games in center due to the Preston Wilson injuries... A Davenport Translation of 92 on defense and a ESPN zone rating of .792 both of which were well below average. The only worse NL regular in zone rating was Ken Griffey, Jr. (he was still recovering from injuries last year). Burnitz was the worst regular as measured by range factor.

 

That doesn't surprise me. It sucks but I think we'll have to put up with below average defense to get the best lineup.

[ronsanto10]

i think i just threw up in the back of my throat.....

 

 

lets just hope we dont see:

 

Holly Burnitz Lawton

[E.J.]

Bruce Levine was on ESPN 1000 a little while ago saying that Corey would probably be recalled from AAA in the next 7-10 days. I'm not sure how to feel about that. :?

[CubfaninCA]

Hate to go against the conventional wisdom of ~ the hitting is the problem, not the pitching. Cub pitching is not that good and they need a good fielder in cf. That's a pretty important defensive spot. Go w/ either Hairston or Patterson. If Blanco could draw walks, I think some of you would prefer him in cf. :D

[rawaction]

Hey guys. First time posting, but I've been reading here for a while.

 

I like an outfield right now of Lawton LF, Hairston CF, and Burnitz RF. We could bat Lawton and Hairston 1,2 and move Walker down into a run producing spot. This is what I like if Lawton's defense really is as bad as is being said.

 

My second choice would be Murton LF, Burnitz CF, and Lawton RF just to keep Murton in the lineup.

 

You were an oldschool ESPN guy weren't you? Welcome!

[frostwyrm]

Hate to go against the conventional wisdom of ~ the hitting is the problem, not the pitching. Cub pitching is not that good and they need a good fielder in cf. That's a pretty important defensive spot. Go w/ either Hairston or Patterson. If Blanco could draw walks, I think some of you would prefer him in cf. :D

 

Hairston's bat is only useful if he's leading off, which won't happen anymore, and regardless of how good Patterson's defense is, he can't even hit minor league pitching at the moment and his defense won't even come close to making up for that.

[CubfaninCA]

Hate to go against the conventional wisdom of ~ the hitting is the problem, not the pitching. Cub pitching is not that good and they need a good fielder in cf. That's a pretty important defensive spot. Go w/ either Hairston or Patterson. If Blanco could draw walks, I think some of you would prefer him in cf. :D

 

Hairston's bat is only useful if he's leading off, which won't happen anymore, and regardless of how good Patterson's defense is, he can't even hit minor league pitching at the moment and his defense won't even come close to making up for that.

 

Patteron's had more success in the majors than Murton, and the league could catch up w/ Murton at any moment. I'm not giving up on Patterson yet.

[frostwyrm]

Hate to go against the conventional wisdom of ~ the hitting is the problem, not the pitching. Cub pitching is not that good and they need a good fielder in cf. That's a pretty important defensive spot. Go w/ either Hairston or Patterson. If Blanco could draw walks, I think some of you would prefer him in cf. :D

 

Hairston's bat is only useful if he's leading off, which won't happen anymore, and regardless of how good Patterson's defense is, he can't even hit minor league pitching at the moment and his defense won't even come close to making up for that.

 

Patteron's had more success in the majors than Murton, and the league could catch up w/ Murton at any moment. I'm not giving up on Patterson yet.

 

I'm not giving up on Patterson either but I still think it's ridiculous to call him up now and sit Murton.

[CubfaninCA]

Hate to go against the conventional wisdom of ~ the hitting is the problem, not the pitching. Cub pitching is not that good and they need a good fielder in cf. That's a pretty important defensive spot. Go w/ either Hairston or Patterson. If Blanco could draw walks, I think some of you would prefer him in cf. :D

 

Hairston's bat is only useful if he's leading off, which won't happen anymore, and regardless of how good Patterson's defense is, he can't even hit minor league pitching at the moment and his defense won't even come close to making up for that.

 

Patteron's had more success in the majors than Murton, and the league could catch up w/ Murton at any moment. I'm not giving up on Patterson yet.

 

I'm not giving up on Patterson either but I still think it's ridiculous to call him up now and sit Murton.

 

Patterson > Murton

 

This board is getting fired up again about a guy who's not that special. Patterson's speed, defense and power are better than Murton's. Sure Murton takes some walks and slaps singles, but this is his first time around the league. Patterson was a .800 ops guy a few years ago.

[XZero771679666304]

Hate to go against the conventional wisdom of ~ the hitting is the problem, not the pitching. Cub pitching is not that good and they need a good fielder in cf. That's a pretty important defensive spot. Go w/ either Hairston or Patterson. If Blanco could draw walks, I think some of you would prefer him in cf. :D

 

Hairston's bat is only useful if he's leading off, which won't happen anymore, and regardless of how good Patterson's defense is, he can't even hit minor league pitching at the moment and his defense won't even come close to making up for that.

 

Patteron's had more success in the majors than Murton, and the league could catch up w/ Murton at any moment. I'm not giving up on Patterson yet.

 

I'm not giving up on Patterson either but I still think it's ridiculous to call him up now and sit Murton.

 

Patterson > Murton

 

This board is getting fired up again about a guy who's not that special. Patterson's speed, defense and power are better than Murton's. Sure Murton takes some walks and slaps singles, but this is his first time around the league. Patterson was a .800 ops guy a few years ago.

 

He was an .800 OPS guy. Then the league figured out you don't have to pitch to him to get him out. Until Patterson shows he can put the bat on the ball (which he hasn't at AAA) and not to swing at pitches he has no chance of hitting, Murton>>>>>Patterson. All his speed and power doesn't amount to squat when you approach AB's like was before his demotion. Murton may not be a superstar, but I'll take a guy who has a clue at the plate, thanks.

[CubfaninCA]

Hate to go against the conventional wisdom of ~ the hitting is the problem, not the pitching. Cub pitching is not that good and they need a good fielder in cf. That's a pretty important defensive spot. Go w/ either Hairston or Patterson. If Blanco could draw walks, I think some of you would prefer him in cf. :D

 

Hairston's bat is only useful if he's leading off, which won't happen anymore, and regardless of how good Patterson's defense is, he can't even hit minor league pitching at the moment and his defense won't even come close to making up for that.

 

Patteron's had more success in the majors than Murton, and the league could catch up w/ Murton at any moment. I'm not giving up on Patterson yet.

 

I'm not giving up on Patterson either but I still think it's ridiculous to call him up now and sit Murton.

 

Patterson > Murton

 

This board is getting fired up again about a guy who's not that special. Patterson's speed, defense and power are better than Murton's. Sure Murton takes some walks and slaps singles, but this is his first time around the league. Patterson was a .800 ops guy a few years ago.

 

He was an .800 OPS guy. Then the league figured out you don't have to pitch to him to get him out. Until Patterson shows he can put the bat on the ball (which he hasn't at AAA) and not to swing at pitches he has no chance of hitting, Murton>>>>>Patterson. All his speed and power doesn't amount to squat when you approach AB's like was before his demotion. Murton may not be a superstar, but I'll take a guy who has a clue at the plate, thanks.

 

>>>>>????? Some have absolutely lost their minds over a guy w/ 34 major league at-bats. If he lifts a ball to the warning track, I might get excited.

[CubfaninCA]

Murton's 4 for 14 vs. righties. I'll wait for him to get a few more ab's vs. righties before annointing him Wade Boggs. Edited August 2, 2005 by CubfaninCA

[CubfaninCA]

oops Edited August 2, 2005 by CubfaninCA

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Murton's 4 for 14 vs. righties. I'll wait for him to get a few more ab's before annointing him Wade Boggs.

 

I'm not sure if I want Murton as a starting OF in the future, but the fact is that right now he's our 3rd best outfielder, and that includes Patterson.

[imb]

quote /= edit

[CubfaninCA]

Murton's 4 for 14 vs. righties. I'll wait for him to get a few more ab's before annointing him Wade Boggs.

 

I'm not sure if I want Murton as a starting OF in the future, but the fact is that right now he's our 3rd best outfielder, and that includes Patterson.

 

I figured "small sample size" would be applicable?? Guess not when it's a prospect who shows a little something. :o

[XZero771679666304]

Hate to go against the conventional wisdom of ~ the hitting is the problem, not the pitching. Cub pitching is not that good and they need a good fielder in cf. That's a pretty important defensive spot. Go w/ either Hairston or Patterson. If Blanco could draw walks, I think some of you would prefer him in cf. :D

 

Hairston's bat is only useful if he's leading off, which won't happen anymore, and regardless of how good Patterson's defense is, he can't even hit minor league pitching at the moment and his defense won't even come close to making up for that.

 

Patteron's had more success in the majors than Murton, and the league could catch up w/ Murton at any moment. I'm not giving up on Patterson yet.

 

I'm not giving up on Patterson either but I still think it's ridiculous to call him up now and sit Murton.

 

Patterson > Murton

 

This board is getting fired up again about a guy who's not that special. Patterson's speed, defense and power are better than Murton's. Sure Murton takes some walks and slaps singles, but this is his first time around the league. Patterson was a .800 ops guy a few years ago.

 

He was an .800 OPS guy. Then the league figured out you don't have to pitch to him to get him out. Until Patterson shows he can put the bat on the ball (which he hasn't at AAA) and not to swing at pitches he has no chance of hitting, Murton>>>>>Patterson. All his speed and power doesn't amount to squat when you approach AB's like was before his demotion. Murton may not be a superstar, but I'll take a guy who has a clue at the plate, thanks.

 

>>>>>????? Some have absolutely lost their minds over a guy w/ 34 major league at-bats. If he lifts a ball to the warning track, I might get excited.

 

That was to emphasize how bad Corey was before he was sent down. He was a literal black hole. It's not a matter of having lost it over Murton, rather having lost it with Patterson. It was to the point that Corey simply putting a ball in play was a revelation. Murton now>>>>>>>May/June Corey. If Corey were tearing it up in AAA, I would agree with you, but he isn't. He's been terrible down there, too. So Corey has power, so what? He couldn't put freaking ball in play, so what good does that do anybody? I'll take singles, walks and opposite field doubles over K's, pop outs, and weak grounders to first. The homer every 30 or 40 AB's does little to make up for a pitiable OBP and AVG.

 

I think the logic is clear, regardless of who you like more. Do you scrap the hot hand for one dipped in liquid nitrogen?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Murton's 4 for 14 vs. righties. I'll wait for him to get a few more ab's before annointing him Wade Boggs.

 

I'm not sure if I want Murton as a starting OF in the future, but the fact is that right now he's our 3rd best outfielder, and that includes Patterson.

 

I figured "small sample size" would be applicable?? Guess not when it's a prospect who shows a little something. :o

 

If I were basing my evaluation off of his major league performance, why would I call him the 3rd best outfielder?