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Here's a thought

Matt Murton has not made the Cubs for a few key reasons:  He is a corner outfielder who plays poor defense and he can not hit for power.  Take his numbers as a left-fielder batting sixth in the order and you have a .305 BA, 10-15 hr, 75 runs , 70 rbi, 10-15 sb, OBP around .370 and SLG around .430.  These numbers are below average numbers for an outfielder, as you would ideally like to have about 10-15 MORE homeruns and a much higher slugging percentage.  However, take these same numbers as a second baseman batting 2nd in the lineup and factor in that the runs scored would increase to 90-100, and you have a top 5 2nd baseman.  In fact, what you actually have is a quicker version of Mark DeRosa who will also hit for a higer average.  2nd base is arguably the easiest position on the field and takes little athletic ability.  Is it possible that the Cubs or any team for that matter could convert Matt Murton to a 2nd baseman?  It would take lots of work and with Murton already almost 28 it is doubtful that they will even try.  If he was 3-4 years younger they would not have 2nd thoughts about changing his position, but as an outfielder, murton will have a hard time finding his playing time at the major league level.

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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I wouldn't want you counting birthday's

Murton turns 27 in October so at least don’t try to make him older than he is.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jun 10, 2008 7:12 PM CDT reply actions  

its all the same

He’s an old minor leaguer

by cubs on Jun 10, 2008 7:28 PM CDT reply actions  

Um, wow

Second base the easiest position on the diamond? Very wrong.

Typically, the only positions considered more difficult are shortstop and catcher.

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by cubzfan on Jun 10, 2008 8:19 PM CDT reply actions  

and

what makes you think that murton would be any good at second base if he’s no good in the outfield? a lot more going on at second base….

by cubsmania on Jun 10, 2008 9:10 PM CDT reply actions  

I was just saying that his numbers at the plate fit those of a productive 2nd baseman I wasn’t looking especially deep into it. But 2nd base IS considered the easiest position on the field. Im not sure where you heard it was one of the most difficult because that’s just wrong.

by cubs on Jun 10, 2008 9:18 PM CDT reply actions  

no your wrong

1b is the easiest and left field is probably #2.

Dear SBnation, We need our own server here at BCB seeing how its became very slow due to enormous amounts of traffic. P.S. Impeach Bud Selig!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jun 10, 2008 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions  

painfully wrong

Murton’s numbers at the plate exceed those of a productive pitcher as well. I’m not looking at the numbers too deeply, but since the pitcher is one of the easier positions on the field, maybe we should give him a start or two.

by Tate491 on Jun 10, 2008 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

Murton has value...

...he’s going to be dealt by the deadline. Right now, teams don’t deal unless it’s some bizarre blockbuster but realistically he just has to keep playing hard at AAA and he’ll be on another roster come the deadline. Hopefully we get some help in return…

I like the Spirit of your post, although you are taking some shots, but you are right on with the intent, i.e., Murton would have had a much more productive career had he worked extremely hard at playing 2 other positions in the IF (1B and 3B) or at least 1B. 1B is easy and for a guy like Murton you need to enhance your skills not point to what your numbers from half a season might project to if teams weren’t so prejudiced…Murton has long needed to be able to offer more to get in that lineup and he hasn’t done it.

by DudeVf11 on Jun 10, 2008 10:13 PM CDT reply actions  

Two things.

1) I agree with the posters above, you’re absolutely wrong about 2B being an “easy” position. It’s one of the toughest.

2) When you make a post, please think about your title. “Here’s a thought” doesn’t really describe what’s in your post. You’ll get more people reading your posts if you do that.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 11, 2008 4:08 AM CDT reply actions  

LSA -- especially No. 2 (but that's the editor in me talking).

It’s a bold suggestion—and there’s nothin’ wrong with thinkin’ outside the box, but, for all the reasons others have already pointed out, moving Murton to second base would probably be a disaster.

I’d also specifically dispute the notion that Murton would be “a quicker version of Mark DeRosa.” DeRo’s definitely no speedster, but I would guess he’s at least Murton’s equal in terms of speed, if not maybe a little faster. In addition, he appears far more nimble than Murton.

Again, kudos for pushing the envelope, but this one is marked “return to sender.”

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by daver on Jun 11, 2008 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions  

Here's the reason Al...

had he titled it “How About Murton As Our Starting Second Baseman?”, not one single person would view it because this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

Package Murton with other players as the OF he is and we will get something in return. Move the kid to 2B and not only will he fail, the Cubs will look stupid doing so.

How does that make you feel?

by Kinky Reggae on Jun 11, 2008 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

I played LF and 2B in college

and will tell you that 2B is BY FAR a more difficult position to play.

However…..I believe it’s more difficult from the mental side of ball, not necessarily the physical side. 2B has to know batters better, be able to adjust pitch-by-pitch to the pitcher’s pitch and the batter’s guessing of pitches, and has significantly more decisions to make on any given play. On the physical side – the ability to throw from any given bodily position increases the complexity of the position significantly. No time to right yourself, get in the right catch/throw position, etc at the 2 bag.

LF does involve more initial judgement of ball-off-bat and sustained speed, but from a decision making standpoint is very simple.

As I’ve learned in the Gallup Organizational Survey – ‘my opinion (should) count’ – so here it is!

"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/

by iluvryno on Jun 11, 2008 7:13 AM CDT reply actions  

Isnt he a bit big to be a second baseman?

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jun 11, 2008 8:56 AM CDT reply actions  

but...

by far the easiest position on the diamond is always gonna be 1st base.

Dear SBnation, We need our own server here at BCB seeing how its became very slow due to enormous amounts of traffic. P.S. Impeach Bud Selig!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jun 11, 2008 10:49 AM CDT reply actions  

Why

would you try to convert a bad OF into an even worse 2B just to get the same numbers you are already getting from DeRo? You are just putting him in a position to be blocked by someone else—someone who is faster, quicker, a better athlete, has a better throwing arm, better hands, and who also bats RH.

If Murton were well suited to play the MI, his HS or college coaches would have already figured it out. If you want Murton to switch positions, C is probably the only other choice, and I doubt if he could ever beat out Geo.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Jun 11, 2008 3:05 PM CDT reply actions  

Hm, y'know, catcher might not be a bad idea.

He seems like a smart kid. And, though he doesn’t hit for power, his high OBP could maybe make him a Jason Kendall-type. The obvious downside is he doesn’t appear to have much of a throwing arm. (By the way, I’m just thinking out loud here—not seriously suggest the Cubs consider this.)

Nanika Ga Okoru!

Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.

by daver on Jun 11, 2008 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions  

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