bhogg

I don't know that Murton's defense is a problem. There is no way for me to prove it or for anyone else to disprove it. That's one of those things that we'll just have to trust the organization on. In my opinion, he's just an average fielder ---- hit him a fly ball and he'll catch it. The more he patrols LF at Wrigley, the better he will get. RF and LF in Wrigley cannot possibly be easy to play.

How do you know Murton can't beat that? I don't know what his splits in the 2nd half were, but I'd venture to guess they were close to the line you just posted on Floyd. You also have to figure that Lou and Perry won't be telling Matt to be more aggressive and generally fooling with his already great plate discipline. Also, even though we're spending money left and right, we really don't need to spend money on Floyd. Murton is making the league minimum, so anything Floyd costs us could be spend on much needed pitching. If Murton were closer to 28, k'd a bunch, and didn't show that much potential, we'd all be for platooning him. If you platoon him, he'll maybe get 250 ABs. Based on what we've seen from him, doing that to him would be criminal.

I've read yet another article that suggest the cubs are considering a platoon player with Matt Murton. I just don't see it. The guy had a great sophomore season and is poised to be even better this year --- especially with the increase in talent that surrounds him. What do you guys think? Would a platoon be a good thing for him?

Jesus, people. Put yourselves in the shoes of the 2 or 3 healthy Cub players last year. On paper, things looked good. In hindsight, that "on papper" team should have been in the pathetic NL central play off race. Then, all you hear is Dusty bashing from the media. Warranted or not, it's a guy you play for, spend a lot of time with, and probably like very much. Then, players begin dropping like flys. . . . not just the bad ones, the good ones. You run a rookie starter out there 3 out of 5 days so the pressure is on to really pick up the slack. The team goes into a slump and you put more pressure on your self. Fans, media, their collective chia pets, uncles, and third cousins begin calling every player not named Derrek Lee a lazy good for nothing slug. You pretend you don't hear it, but you do. Baseball is no different than any other profession. There is a huge mental aspect ---- just ask Mark Wohlers. Just like stress, negativeness, etc can affect yours and my job performance, it does the same to a baseball player. Just because they are multi millionaires, doesn't mean they are robots. Giles makes a good point. He's not trying to fully explain the meltdown of '06. He's just saying that things are really looking good this offseason and the guys coming back are most likely excited about it.

If our lineup is strong with the exception of Izturis, would his glove and smaller salary look more attractive?? I guess this is a VORP argument, now. I'm not advocating either player. . . just making conversation. I'm thiking along the lines of how long we'd have either player. If Izturis is just a one year guy, maybe we can suffer through him (especially with all the other upgrades). Then there's Hendry's love affair with Izzy. . . .

yeah, but does lugo have one of those run producing gloves??? ;)

lugo's put up an obp over .360 one time. why does anyone think he'd do it consistently? His career ops is .742. Why does anyone think this will dramatically improve?

I'm not trying to be a smartass here. What's so special about Lugo? I read lots of folks on nsbb touting him as a great potential signing. I looked his career numbers over and I just don't see the attraction.

oh, come on. it's much more fun to jump to conclusions.

I'll be cheering on the Hogs and hoping they get an undefeated SEC regular season this friday. Woooo pig Sooiee!!

i'm afraid i'm going to resort to whipping someone's ass if Murton is given away.

See, I expect more from a major league GM. Anyone given the title of GM can make an honest run at a player. I want an agressive GM that goes out and gets these deals done.(see Dave Dombrowsi) But how do you know he's not being aggressive with Drew? For all we know, he's doing everything possible. I'm not a Hendry butt kisser -- quite the contrary. I have lots of complaints with him, but I'm more than willing to wait until the off season is complete. . . that way I can (as a fan) judge the entire body of work.

Maybe JD Drew doesn't want to play for the Cubs? Maybe he thinks the organization is a freaking joke. He's rich beyond most of our wildest dreams. I suppose hendy's a bum because he hasn't cured cancer either? I know I'll catch nine kinds of hell from some of you, but it's cool. I'm just saying that as long as Hendry is making an honest run at these guys, that is all we can ask. He can't force anyone to sign on the dotted line.

you know, if we could move DLee to catcher, we'd get some hella good production from behind the plate. Maybe we could sign Barry Bonds and put him in the starting rotation. Can you imagine that kind of stick out of a pitcher?? He'd be better than big Z. Lugo a CF'er?? Huh?

If the cubs bench or trade Murton, I'll completely disown them. Murton is absolutely perfect for this team.

i just hope they find a way to create 7 hour ball games!!!!!

Sammy could spend the rest of his life shaking better Cub hands. I be he thinks he's a pretty man, too.

so do the fans boo DeRosa just for the hell of it??? Do the fans hate him just for the hell of it? Maybe Mark and Jacque will become buddies.

There is only one situation where I'd want the bears to lose. This is that situation. J E T S JETS! JETS! JETS! As a life long Jet fan, let me say this. The Jets were expected to win 3, maybe 4 games this year. They have 5 games and I think that is absolutely amazing. This game will be somwhere between a 3 point Jet win and a 48 point Bears win. Honestly, the Bears should have no trouble with the Jets.

maybe we can trade Freddie Bynum for Manny Ramirez and ManRam will wear #16. We get power and lots of fans save money on jerseys.

wow, what a crazy week in CFB.

I think we should keep the team as-is. Then, we hope for the NL central to all hover around .500, with us sneaking into the post season on the last day. We get hot, get lucky, win a few games, and end up winning it all. That gives us about $40 million to spend on a kick ass WS parade!!!

In the NL, a lot of teams are a couple of players and a little luck away from a WS berth. At the same time, they all are a couple of injuries and a little bad luck away from sucking moose pecker.

Bill Clinton didn't inhale, nor did he have sex with that woman, Ms Lewinski :)

what?