Your Outfield for the Pirates series?

by jonpyardi on May 8, 2007 9:56 AM CDT

With two lefties ahead in the Pirates series, it would seem almost certain that Felix Pie will get a start today, right?

Assuming Soriano will be in left field all three games, here's what I suspect will happen in centerfield and rightfield.

5/8
CF: Pie
RF: Jones

5/9
CF: Pie
RF: Murton

5/10
CF: Jones
RF: Murton

This would give Pie some at-bats consecutively and would give Jones a day off against a lefty.

This whole outfield thing has to be extremely difficult for Lou to manage, but getting Pie some consistent ABs is a must. I think it is almost a given that Pie will be in the lineup today.

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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This is likely confirmed...

... in this Dave van Dyck article noting that the Pirates are throwing lefties (Gorzelanny and Maholm) tomorrow and Thursday, and that Murton should likely get some playing time vs. the lefties.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 8, 2007 10:13 AM CDT reply actions

Good grief

I love how members of the Matt Murton Society always subtlely interject his name into the lineup card. They try to sneak it by as if no one will catch it.

The Cubs have 4 better options in the outfield. Nuff said.

"Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know."

by BlueMike on May 8, 2007 10:22 AM CDT reply actions

re: Good grief

Au contraire, Charlie Brown. We of the Matt Murton Society for the Betterment of Red-Haired Corner Outfielders (the MMSBRHCO) conduct all of our formal meetings, social gatherings and public communications with the utmost transparency and under the highest ethical standards.

Putting a right-handed hitter against left-handed starters in place of JJ and even Uncle Cliffie is simply good common sense. Were you still cursing Murton on Sunday when he scored the winning run?

Again, Matt Murton is not an all-star. But, despite his slow start, he's still a relatively young, solid player who deserves a shot. And, let's be honest, if Lou doesn't like what he sees, you know he'll double-switch Orange Guy's crimson ass outta there faster than you can say "Charles M. Schulz."

Brew Crew: We are coming for you.

by daver on May 8, 2007 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Fine

Give Matt Murton a start or two against the left-handers. I'll close my eyes when the ball is hit to right field.

The better plan is to play Mark DeRosa out there and get Ryan Theriot into the lineup at 2nd base.

Ah, come on guys... It's so simple. Maybe you need a refresher course. Hey! It's all ball bearings nowadays. ...

by BlueMike on May 8, 2007 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Did you even watch Sunday's game?

Murton made two very nice plays after being inserted into right field late. Is he a GOOD right fielder? No, he's not. But he's not awful. The Cubs can manage with him out there every now and then.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on May 8, 2007 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I concur...

...with your predictions. Jones has been swinging a hot bat, so I'd like to see him start tonight against the righty. After that, I'd like to see Pie and Orange Guy take over in center and right, respectively. Both need the at-bats.

Incidentally, however, according to baseball-reference.com, Jacque Jones is 1 for 3 against LHP Tom Gorzelanny in 3 plate appearances, who'll be starting for the Pirates tomorrow. Ditto for Cliff Floyd, though with 4 plate appearances. Murton is 0 for 2 in 3 plate appearances.

Jones has apparently never faced Thursday's Bucs starter, LHP Paul Maholm. Cliff Floyd is 2 for 6 against him in 9 plate appearances. Murton is 2 for 7 in 8 plate appearances.

I'd look to Floyd as a pinch hitter in Thursday's game on the basis of his experience.

Brew Crew: We are coming for you.

by daver on May 8, 2007 10:34 AM CDT reply actions

maybe or maybe not...I think the plan with Pie is

something else. I think he is here to back up Jones for the short term because the Cubs do not have enough back up in the IF as Theriot is not available to play CF with just three middle IF'ers, (Soriano is the 4th IF'er in a pinch---see Sunday).

But I think the Cubs are concerned with his confidence and development and want to get him back down to AAA for further plate management and hitting development.

The more I am thinking the more the choices are between trading Murton or Jones.

Choice(s) no apparent order

Find a CF'er who can play RF or visa versa...
Find a utility IF'er who can play the OF...

I think more and more Murton is the odd man out unless the Cubs find a starting CF'er, they can go with Jones in CF until Pie is ready, or trade him and package for these suggestions: Ichiro or Hunter or Rowland, (because of contract), as it appears they like Floyd in the lineup when he is available. That still does not address another IF'er in Lou's system of interchangable parts.

On paper Figgins is the perfect guy to get, probably cost less (no need to trade Jones of Murton, although probably move Murton to AAA.

Best Harry moment: 'Hey there's Marla without her shorts on!'

by Ivy Walls on May 8, 2007 10:54 AM CDT reply actions

A roster move or two is inevitable

Good post. I can't see the Cubs and Sweet Lou going with only one extra infielder for too much longer. Plus, you are right when saying that Felix Pie is probably going to be sent back down to Triple A to play everyday.

What this team really needs is a Chone Figgins or Pablo Ozuna type. But those kind of highly versatile players are difficult to find. They also need somebody who can play center field in complement to Jacque Jones. That is until Felix Pie is ready to officially take over, thereby moving Jones back over to right field.

Ah, come on guys... It's so simple. Maybe you need a refresher course. Hey! It's all ball bearings nowadays. ...

by BlueMike on May 8, 2007 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions

Not to sound...

...like a Murton defender too much (although I think he's a pretty solid player and a good fit on this team), but I can't see the Cubs sending Murton away OVER JJones.

First, there is the salary difference - Murton is cheaper (and younger), and thus if we're trying to poach away a player for a playoff push from a struggling team, he's probably the better fit.

Second, there is the righty-lefty balance in the OF. Trading Murton means that 3 of your 4 OFers (Pie, Floyd, and JJones) are lefty.

That being said, I like the "stand-pat" idea - it covers our ass if Floyd gets hurt by keeping JJones, but keeps the RH-LH balance in tact by keeping Murton. If we're worried about Pie getting playing time (it seems to me Lou's gotten him in to a BUNCH of games), send him down and recall Pagan, who has similar speed/defensive skills but has the added bonus of being (I believe) a switch-hitter.

by Chadnudj on May 8, 2007 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Matt Murton doesn't have major trade value

He simply doesn't. He is Cub version of Ryan Langerhans. Therefore, the Cubs are better off hanging onto him to serve as 5th outfielder and insurance policy.

Ah, come on guys... It's so simple. Maybe you need a refresher course. Hey! It's all ball bearings nowadays. ...

by BlueMike on May 8, 2007 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Pie

Is having a hard enough time with MLB RH Pitchers and until he shows he can hit Righties, shouldn't start against Lefties. If you want to give him ab's for the sake of getting him ab's then send him to Iowa will he'll get all the ab's he can handle.

But do not start him against Lefties, just for the sake of getting him ab's.

"What's it all about? Booze, Broads and bullshit." Harry Caray

by lemon17pie on May 8, 2007 11:43 AM CDT reply actions