The Matt Murton Situation

[Fanzones trumpet]

I'd say it's a GOOD thing that his plate approach shows he wasn't brought up in the Cubs system :lol:

 

Why do I not accept that he's not going to make it? Because when I watch him hit, I see exactly what I want out of a player, a guy who takes what the pitcher gives him and looks for the best possible result in that at bat. In only 40 at bats, the kid has 8 walks.

 

Far too early in his career to say he can't hit righties, I mean, the bulk of his ABs against them so far have been pinch hit at bats, give him some starts to see if he can do anything.

 

For clarification, I never said he wouldn't make it. I just asked why would it be out of the realm of possibility that he might not make it? I don't know if he will or if he won't, but I'm not going to swear that he'll make it or not. He may become an everyday player or he may be a career 4th or 5th outfielder, I don't know. I don't see why Steve Stone's opinion is wrong -- it's an opinion. However, I do remember him one time saying something similar about Kelton. I also never said he won't ever be able to hit righties. I just said in his limited at-bats, he hasn't hit righties very hard. I can handle hitting into outs if you're hitting the ball hard. Although I dislike a lot of Baker's moves this year, I think he made a good move by starting him off against lefties only to begin his career.

 

Kelton never had Murton's plate discipline. And the notion that you need power at the corner OF positions to win in is a myth. The Yankees won 4 WS with guys like Chad Curtis and Gerald Williams in LF. And the White Sox are doing pretty damn well with Scott Podsednik in LF. Given the steroid situation, it's likely that power #s are going to continue to decrease over the next several years, making it much more of a balanced game. If the Cubs were smart--which is open to question--they'd stick Murton at #2 in the lineup and leave him alone.

 

I have never bought into the power position myth, either. Heck, I was infuriated back in 1989 when Palmeiro was traded and Frey and Zimmer said he would never hit for power and you can't have guys not hitting homers in two power positions (1B and LF). Regarding Murton, power shouldn't be addressed. I just don't know why it's deemed impossible that he won't ever be an everyday player. He might be, but, again, maybe he won't. A player doesn't have a bad career if he's a lifetime 4th or 5th outfielder.

 

I agree that the jury's still out on Murton as an everyday player. But for what it's worth, he looks better to me than any position player the Cubs have brought up in the last five years, including Patterson. Perhaps it's my preference (bias?) for smart, contact hitters who aren't afraid to work the count. I sincerely feel that the game is swinging away from the HR and the Murton-type of player will become more appreciated.

[XZero771679666304]

 

I have never bought into the power position myth, either. Heck, I was infuriated back in 1989 when Palmeiro was traded and Frey and Zimmer said he would never hit for power and you can't have guys not hitting homers in two power positions (1B and LF). Regarding Murton, power shouldn't be addressed. I just don't know why it's deemed impossible that he won't ever be an everyday player. He might be, but, again, maybe he won't. A player doesn't have a bad career if he's a lifetime 4th or 5th outfielder.

 

Again, the problem here is that the Cubs brought him up to see if he could be an everyday player. I have no idea if he will or will not be, and don't have a feeling one way or the other. That is the problem. Up until Lawton was acquired, the Cubs current LF was so bad there was absolutely no reason not to play Murton. If there was ever in the history of the game a situation more appropriate for a guy to be battle tested, I am not aware of it.

 

Dubois got a decent look in May, and showed he wasn't quite as good as many thought (although he was better than Holla). Considering the alternatives, I can't understand why Murton wasn't afforded the same opportunity.

 

Of course with Lawton on the team and Patterson on his way up, the window of opportunity has probably passed. No we'll have to wait till next year to see if Murton can do the job.

[Fanzones trumpet]

 

I have never bought into the power position myth, either. Heck, I was infuriated back in 1989 when Palmeiro was traded and Frey and Zimmer said he would never hit for power and you can't have guys not hitting homers in two power positions (1B and LF). Regarding Murton, power shouldn't be addressed. I just don't know why it's deemed impossible that he won't ever be an everyday player. He might be, but, again, maybe he won't. A player doesn't have a bad career if he's a lifetime 4th or 5th outfielder.

 

Again, the problem here is that the Cubs brought him up to see if he could be an everyday player. I have no idea if he will or will not be, and don't have a feeling one way or the other. That is the problem. Up until Lawton was acquired, the Cubs current LF was so bad there was absolutely no reason not to play Murton. If there was ever in the history of the game a situation more appropriate for a guy to be battle tested, I am not aware of it.

 

Dubois got a decent look in May, and showed he wasn't quite as good as many thought (although he was better than Holla). Considering the alternatives, I can't understand why Murton wasn't afforded the same opportunity.

 

Of course with Lawton on the team and Patterson on his way up, the window of opportunity has probably passed. No we'll have to wait till next year to see if Murton can do the job.

 

I'd like to see Burnitz moved in a waiver deal if possible.

[cbbryan]

 

I have never bought into the power position myth, either. Heck, I was infuriated back in 1989 when Palmeiro was traded and Frey and Zimmer said he would never hit for power and you can't have guys not hitting homers in two power positions (1B and LF). Regarding Murton, power shouldn't be addressed. I just don't know why it's deemed impossible that he won't ever be an everyday player. He might be, but, again, maybe he won't. A player doesn't have a bad career if he's a lifetime 4th or 5th outfielder.

 

Again, the problem here is that the Cubs brought him up to see if he could be an everyday player. I have no idea if he will or will not be, and don't have a feeling one way or the other. That is the problem. Up until Lawton was acquired, the Cubs current LF was so bad there was absolutely no reason not to play Murton. If there was ever in the history of the game a situation more appropriate for a guy to be battle tested, I am not aware of it.

 

Dubois got a decent look in May, and showed he wasn't quite as good as many thought (although he was better than Holla). Considering the alternatives, I can't understand why Murton wasn't afforded the same opportunity.

 

Of course with Lawton on the team and Patterson on his way up, the window of opportunity has probably passed. No we'll have to wait till next year to see if Murton can do the job.

 

I'd like to see Burnitz moved in a waiver deal if possible.

 

 

You might be able to get decent value out of Burnitz. I would think he'd clear waivers w/out a problem.

 

My thoughts on Murton. I don't know if he's an everyday player, or not. What irritates me is that I should have a better idea. There was every opportunity for him to have playing time in the OF before the Lawton trade, or even since w/ Macias playing CF. Dusty's just a bone head.

[frostwyrm]

Up until Lawton was acquired, the Cubs current LF was so bad there was absolutely no reason not to play Murton. If there was ever in the history of the game a situation more appropriate for a guy to be battle tested, I am not aware of it.

 

Of course with Lawton on the team and Patterson on his way up, the window of opportunity has probably passed. No we'll have to wait till next year to see if Murton can do the job.

 

If you want to talk about perfect windows of opportunity which are now closed there is Ronny Cedeno. He just sat and watched horrible journeyman Neifi play, and now with Nomar back on the team Ronny's opportunity is gone.

[XZero771679666304]

Up until Lawton was acquired, the Cubs current LF was so bad there was absolutely no reason not to play Murton. If there was ever in the history of the game a situation more appropriate for a guy to be battle tested, I am not aware of it.

 

Of course with Lawton on the team and Patterson on his way up, the window of opportunity has probably passed. No we'll have to wait till next year to see if Murton can do the job.

 

If you want to talk about perfect windows of opportunity which are now closed there is Ronny Cedeno. He just sat and watched horrible journeyman Neifi play, and now with Nomar back on the team Ronny's opportunity is gone.

 

True. Sad, another prime example, and from the same team. It really makes you love Dusty.