Outshined_One

I've lurked on that forum numerous times. While some people need to get their heads examined for the sheer level of hatred they have for the Cubs (we're talking psychosis-level stuff), there are a good number of knowledgeable posters who seem like cool guys. It's entertaining and a good way to waste time. Plus, I can gain more ammo for when I get into arguments with my Sox fan friends ;) It's hilarious watching the expressions on their faces when I bring up how bad the White Sox farm system is and talk about guys like Honel and Sweeney. A Cubs fan who knows even more about the White Sox than they do causes them to run the gamut of emotions and question the nature of reality itself :lol:

*Cracks knuckles* Ohhhhhhhhhh this will be fun... -As it has been mentioned, his three year splits away from Fenway are really not that bad. They are quite skewed due to his 2003 campaign, as it already has been mentioned. Also, it's not like he's moving from Fenway to the Chavez Ravine. Wrigley can be a very kind place to hitters, especially on days when the wind is blowing out. -Take a look at the Cubs' SS offensive stats this year. They're the worst in the majors in AVG, slugging, and runs scored. Whether it's been Rnez, Martinez, or Gonzo, offensive production from that position has flatout sucked. Also, defensively, KGonz's range isn't all that good and his vaunted defense didn't come through when the Cubs needed it the most last year. -Who's to say that Nomar will get a huge contract from the Cubs...if he even re-signs with this team at all? If the Dodgers sign him and overpay, great! We'll get some nice draft picks in compensation. I'm not going to complain about something the Cubs haven't done yet. -Um...have you seen Pinto's production down at AA? Are you aware of Sisco's ceiling, which is even higher than Jones'? Have you seen the numbers Connolly has put up in Daytona, especially that CG 2 hitter? How about Rich Hill's first half? Sean Marshall's? What about Down's ceiling? Yeah, it's likely some of these guys will flame out, but as things stand now, the odds are really good that one of these "garden variety, poop tossing lefties" could become really good at the ML level. Most of them have already experienced success beyond Mesa/Boise (save for Downs), so I think they're on track for some good things if they keep healthy. -That is a nice rotation. But then again, we might not have seen that rotation until around 2007 or so. I'm sure there'd be some nice fights over the 4 and 5 spots and maybe even the 3 spot if some one leaves, gets traded, or is injured or whatever. Between then and now, no one has absolutely any idea what will happen involving the prospects in our system. It could be conceivable that the Cubs snag a lefty with an even better lefty than Jones in next year's draft. We just can't predict the future like that. -Again, Sing is a first baseman. He does not play corner OF at Daytona! -As for your OF thing...wow. I'm going to let some one else handle that one...that...wow. Just...wow.

Top-rated corner OFs in the Cubs organization whom Murton might not be as good as in terms of overall status... 1) Ryan Harvey 2) Jason Dubois ... ... David Kelton has absolutely sucked down at AAA lately and Kevin Collins needs to show some consistency before I get any hopes up. Dopirak and Sing might end up being moved out to LF, but for now, they're first basemen.

Couple of counter-points... -Murton's power potential is probably on par with Brandon Sing and likely lower than Harvey and Dopirak. He's not some guy who's likely to end up as some also-ran on a AAA team. He's still relatively young and could have a good future ahead of him. -While draft choices are hit-or-miss, a good rule of thumb is: the more, the merrier. The best success rates in terms of prospects are in the first two rounds, so it's not like the Cubs' farm system will be taking a huge hit by doing this deal. -I agree, I love Jones as a prospect. Overall, he was probably the best lefty in this organization on the overall scale. I think Minnesota got a great player in him. However, this farm system has had a ton of lefties emerge over the past two and a half years or so. Sisco, Hagerty, Pinto, Connolly, Downs, Pignatiello, and other guys can allow for the void left by Justin Jones to be filled. Also, shoulder injuries for pitchers bother me...so let's just say I'm glad we won't be having to worry about THAT any more. -We didn't pay a heavy price for Nomar. We didn't trade Guzman or Pie. We didn't trade Clement. You say that Houston gave up little to get Beltran, yet they gave up a Top 5 prospect (a catcher, no less!) and a future closer with experience in the majors for him. That move KILLED their bullpen. I'd say we gave up an equivalent to Houston in terms of the overall scale of things (experience, talent, ceilings, etc). Look, the fact remains that our SS production this season has been absolutely abysmal. No one will argue that. Boston could have bent us over a barrel for this one...and yet we were the ones who ended up coming out of this deal smelling like a rose. Barring a catastrophe, this move will solidfy our offense and make our team CONSISTENT. We got a guy who's a contact hitter and doesn't strike out a whole lot. He's perfect for the 2 hole. We got the guy our offense needed.

I personally think we overrate Harris. He might end up as a good everyday 2B in the future, yes...but I dunno. Richard Lewis' presence helps. Jones was expendable to a lesser degree, imo, especially since Connolly and Pinto have come on. Jones may well have been better than them in the end, but I think the fact that those guys emerged this year really helped make this decision. Also, being on a rehab stint is not the most positive of things. I'm still completely unsure of where Beltran will end up in three years, though. Heck, we even ended up ADDING a prospect in this deal. That counts for something, imo. I've been aboard this thing since the A-Ram trade, by the way 8)

I predict one of the baby xenomorphs from Alien pops out of his chest in the 4th. However, he'll heroically stay in and pitch until the 7th, despite a gaping wound in his chest and Miguel Cabrera dragged off the field kicking and screaming as the xenomorph's first big meal.

I predict his elbow explodes.