Silver Linings to an Ended Season

by FukudomeAtLarge on May 25, 2006 9:53 PM CDT

Everyone is bummed about the season being over. Yeah, me too. But there are some good things about it.

*Murton and Cedeno will get some valuable experience playing every day

*We'll be able to allow Wood and Prior to return at a normal and not a rushed pace

*Derrek Lee can have a whole season to rehab his wrist, get it back in swing

*Calling up AAA prospects or prospects we get when we trade at the trading deadline

*Being traders at the trading deadline, we could make some mean profit on some desperate teams

*Cheaper, more plentiful tickets for us who will still watch the Cubs

*No more bandwagon fans (on the Southside now)

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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On the flip side...as a season ticket holder...

Being forced to watch Neifi and Womack play every day.

Getting more lame excuses why Wood and Prior aren't on the mound

Derrek Lee being lousy because he's trying to find his swing

Paying over $10,000 to watch AAA prospects who aren't even good prospects

Being traders at the trading deadline...aren't we a desperate team?

Not being able to sell games I can't go to for even 1/2 face value.

Hearing twice the crap from White Sox fans

It will happen...someday!

by bergs55 on May 25, 2006 10:32 PM CDT reply actions

Nazey

I would love to believe those things would happen TheDude. But the Cubs will not have a fire sale. They will most likely hold on to a lot of their veterans instead of getting anything in return to give the impression that they're "still in the race." Kind of like they did with Kerry Wood in the bullpen last year. If Ryan Theriot has only had 4 atbats in 3 weeks when Neifi and Bynum are both hitting under .200 and Jerry Hairston is hitting a robust .230, there is little chance any other young guys will get playing time this year. Even if Hendry calls them up, Dusty will sit them, just like Theriot.

"Is 'next year' here yet?"

by Nazey23 on May 25, 2006 11:25 PM CDT reply actions

Murton

the Sun-Times this morning is already saying that Murton isn't likely to have a spot next in the outfield with Pie and Jones likely to take the other two spots. Here is what they say:

If the Cubs deal Pierre, prospect Felix Pie can begin his indoctrination into the major leagues. But if you are projecting Pie in center and Jones in right as two-thirds of the Cubs' '07 outfield, Matt Murton can't be the left fielder. As promising as Murton has looked at times, he hasn't shown enough power to justify bringing him back alongside those two. The Cubs will have to look for a veteran presence with proven power numbers, a younger version of Moises Alou.

Here is the article:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-cub26.html

Check out my Cubs Minor League System website: Top Cubs Prospects

by jonpyardi on May 26, 2006 7:24 AM CDT reply actions

Why dont they just SAY

Carlos Lee? Of course the Cubs will try to low ball him and he'll end up with the Angels or Orioles, but my god this team makes it difficult to like them.

by Santos Sorrow @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on May 26, 2006 7:46 AM CDT up reply actions

LF with Power

Yup, those White Sox have been a dismal failure with a starting LF with a grand total of 1 regular season HR in over 1 full season.

by Frustrated Fan on May 26, 2006 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions

How does anyone know...

... that Murton won't hit for more power as the season goes on?

He hit 7 HR in 140 AB last year, all after July 8. When the weather heats up, maybe he will too.

If he finishes the year with 15-20 HR (still possible), why change? That sort of free-agent money (which Lee would command) could be spent upgrading elsewhere.

by Al Yellon on May 26, 2006 8:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Couldn't agree more

Also, Felix Pie will add a bit more pop to the lineup as well.

That being said, the Cubs simply do not have a 3rd credible power threat in the lineup which is part of the reason they are hurting right now.

What position can you find that 3rd power hitter? It is unlikely you will find it at 2nd base, so LF seems to be the next option.

Personally, I still would like to see Soriano at second for the Cubs, but I know I'm in the minority there.

Check out my Cubs Minor League System website: Top Cubs Prospects

by jonpyardi on May 26, 2006 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Power and Pitch Count

This is one of the real big reasons why Dusty MUST be fired. Murton showed plenty of pop last year when he was being selective and getting his pitch to hit. His stats, in the same number of games as lasst year, are quite similar with the exception of the number of Home Runs. What's the difference? He's taking fewer pitches and swinging at pitches earlier in the AB. He's trying to hit the pitcher's pitch, not his pitch.

And, of course, any trade value that he would have (and frankly, of all of the Cubs, with the exception of Zambrano, he's got one of the higher ones) just dropped becuase its pretty clear that the Cubs don't value him and will sell him cheap.

Idiocy. Young player who should be a very good player with high OBP, a reasonable amount of pop, and decent speed is going to get set aside for "crappy vets".

Its time to start a "trade Murton" campaign to emphasize how screwed up the Cubs management is. I am guessing Oakland would be willing to trade Jay Payton for Murton heads up. And I am guessing that the Cubs Brain (t)Rust would take the deal.

by Frustrated Fan on May 26, 2006 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions