Question About Outfield For 2006

[marc_foust]

I havent been able to see Lawton play this year and dont really know much about him. I was wondering if you all thought he would be worth resigning next year? Also if he isnt who would you choose over him and for how much before keeping Lawton becomes the better idea?

[WindyCity]

He has the following line in his short time with the Cubs:

 

AVG  OBP  SLG  OPS
.271 .286 .375 .661

 

This is well below his career line of:

AVG  OBP  SLG  OPS
.269 .370 .421 .791

 

If he can get closer to his career line by end of 2005, I think the Cubs have to give serious consideration to bringing him back. It is doubtful that the Cubs will find another .370 OBP leadoff option in free agency or in house in time for opening day 2006.

 

His current salary (~$8M) seems steep for his services, so I'd like to see a 2-year deal that would bring that down (not sure to what though.....)

[mul21]

If Dusty is still around and can be talked into it, I see no reason why Murton couldn't be a leadoff guy. He had 18 steals at West Tenn and obviously has a good idea of the strike zone. If Nomar, Walker and Patterson are back, those 3 along with ARam and Lee would provide sufficient power to sacrifice some pop at one of the outfield spots. This is provided that they find someone to fill the void in RF thru a trade or FA. Who that is I don't know, but Giles wouldn't be bad if it was a 3 yr or less deal.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

I would like to see Murton in the 2 hole instead of leading off. I wouldn't mind seeing a one, two punch of Walker and Murton at the top. There wouldn't be a ton of stolen bases there but they are both really good hitters that make the pitcher work.

[CubfaninCA]

If Dusty is still around and can be talked into it, I see no reason why Murton couldn't be a leadoff guy. He had 18 steals at West Tenn and obviously has a good idea of the strike zone. If Nomar, Walker and Patterson are back, those 3 along with ARam and Lee would provide sufficient power to sacrifice some pop at one of the outfield spots. This is provided that they find someone to fill the void in RF thru a trade or FA. Who that is I don't know, but Giles wouldn't be bad if it was a 3 yr or less deal.

 

If Dusty's around next year, don't expect Murton to start.

[Iceblink]

If only Murton could play 2B or bat lefty, he'd probably get a shot. As a right-handed OF'er, he's not old enough to start for Dusty.

[johnnyba99]

Rotoworld had a good article detailing all the free agents at each position: http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/column.asp?sport=MLB&column=14&articleid=1077

 

He says pitchers will be done next week. Thought this might be helpful.

[OldHappyCubFan]

The Cubs outta give the Yanks competition for Matsui.

 

Hes the best FA out there. PLEASE HENDRY!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The Cubs outta give the Yanks competition for Matsui.

 

Hes the best FA out there. PLEASE HENDRY!

 

Matsui would be great, but he isn't necessarily a free agent. He has a clause, but he most likely won't become a free agent, I forget the circumstances.

[nilodnayr]

The Cubs outta give the Yanks competition for Matsui.

 

Hes the best FA out there. PLEASE HENDRY!

 

Matsui would be great, but he isn't necessarily a free agent. He has a clause, but he most likely won't become a free agent, I forget the circumstances.

 

No way it will happen. Matsui will be a Yank for life. They love him there, he loves it there and they make so much money in the Japanese market