| Sign Up | Google+

Fanposts

PRESENTED BY
PRESENTED BY

Murton Trade Possibilities

This was posted over at mlbtraderumors.com and I thought it would provide some nice discussion, especially for those who really want to see Murton get the MLB job that he deserves . . .

26 year-old Cubs outfielder Matt Murton is very much available now that they've signed Reed Johnson.  PECOTA gives Murton a .295/.359/.462 projection for '08; ZiPS says .289/.360/.465.  Here are the league averages from 2007:

AL left fielder: .275/.335/.426
NL left fielder: .278/.358/.478

AL right fielder: .288/.359/.465
NL right fielder: .275/.344/.442

These numbers are presented in the form of batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage.  You can see that Murton is comfortably in the league average offensive range for a corner outfielder.  He'll be arbitration-eligible for the first time after this season.  Let's look at some trade possibilities.  (As for what the Cubs would want in return - I'll guess a lefty reliever or just a prospect or two).

  • Rays - DRays Bay suggests Murton could help in right field, not a bad idea.
  • Padres - The Justin Huber acquisition makes this less likely.
  • Rangers - They rejected a Murton for Marlon Byrd proposal, and now the Cubs don't need Byrd.
  • Orioles - He was connected to them until they acquired Luke Scott and Adam Jones to fill out their outfield.
  • Red Sox - The Cubs no longer have a need for Coco Crisp, even if the Sox had mild interest in re-acquiring The Big Murt.  Murton wouldn't start in Boston anyway.  Still, Buster Olney says there's still some chatter that the Red Sox will go after him.
  • Athletics - Some folks think Billy Beane will pluck Murton simply because he's underrated.  The A's don't seem to have any kind of opening for him.
  • Braves - Murton doesn't project as much of an upgrade over Matt Diaz.
  • Mets - Could make sense for a team thinking about running Fernando Tatis out in left.  Longer-term, Murton could be an oft-used fourth outfielder, spelling Moises Alou and Ryan Church.
  • Giants - Would be a nice low-pressure place to see what Murton can do, but they're already loaded with outfielders.
  • What are your thoughts on a good fit for Murton?
  • <!--/* Openads Javascript Tag v2.4.2 (Rich Media - Openads) */--> <!-- ValueClick Media 300x250 Medium Rectangle CODE for mlbtraderumors.com -->

    This is the link for the post as there are some interesting comments too:

    http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/03/who-wants-matt.html#comments

    Discuss

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

    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.

    Recent FanPosts

    View All Fan Posts

    The Next FanPosts

    There are 94 Comments. Load Now. Loading

    Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.

    C - Next Comment
    X - Mark as Read

    R - Reply
    Z - Mark Read & Next

    Shift + C - Previous
    Shift + A - Mark All Read

    Comment Settings

    Live comment alert: Hide it!

    Comments for this post are closed.

    tracking_pixel_5351_tracker