New Left Fielder...

by cubs199235 on Jun 13, 2008 2:25 PM CDT Comment 59 comments

I realize that this may have been already discussed on BCB a few days ago, but I was unable to check the last couple of days, so I was just wondering what everyone thought. Who should be the new left-fielder?

Personally, I believe Murton should be given a shot. Murton can share time with Johnson, but I personally believe Murton is a better bat (currently batting .311 in AAA). What do you all think? Post your opinions.

Also, although I don't think it is going to happen, I guess it is possible for Fuld or Pie to play LF. Andres Torres and Jason Dubois are also possibilities, however, not likely.

Poll

Who should be the new left fielder?

Reed Johnson

46 votes

Mark DeRosa (Fontenot at 2B)

22 votes

Matt Murton

37 votes

Mark DeRosa (Patterson at 2B)

17 votes

Sam Fuld

9 votes

Felix Pie

5 votes

Trade for a replacement

8 votes

Other

15 votes

159 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief (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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No thanks to Murton

That would mean we would have two players (Murton and Theriot) that cant hit the ball over the outfielders head. Personally I like the roving outfielders for now.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jun 13, 2008 2:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1 +1 +1 and many more!

Murton is done with the Cubs. He needs a new place to see if he is a MLB player. His power has diminished since ‘06 and it continues. He is a less than average defender and a less than average base runner. He is by all complimentary accounts Reed Johnson who can’t field very well or run very well.

As for your question I think Lou has already answered it. It will be situational. With the AL road schedule Piniella is going to rest many of his middle of the lineup using DeRosa at 3B and RF in spot starts, and probably use Patterson in the leadoff to see if he can hit. He will use Johnson in defensive substitutions and also use the bench situationally in LF and 2B.

So you will have to use a pencil for your fantasy league lineups.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jun 13, 2008 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

- 1 - 1 -1 and - one more than your "many"! :p

You keep saying this, but Matt Murton is not = Reed Johnson.

Murton is 26 and his career #s v. RHP are .283/.347/.426.
Johnson is 31 and his career #s v. RHP are .265/.325/.377.

Of course, this isn’t relevant for a Cubs blog per se because you are right that Murton is done on the north side.

by DGU on Jun 13, 2008 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

why don't you stop trying to spin the stats for the love of the Red Head

Put up the stats for each against LHP. That is what is relative in that this is how Lou is using Johnson and how he would use Murton.

The analogy is that Murton has about the same power as Johnson (without drilling into the stats) but Matt cannot field half as well and cannot play CF nor run the bases nor get hit by a pitch.

Further I rarely see Johnson of late top the weakly hit grounders to SS. Face Matt had his chance and didn’t produce.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jun 13, 2008 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spin the stats - but don't land on a whammy!

I thought the question was – who should play LF with Soriano out? In that case, their stats v. RHP are extremely relevant. In short, Murton can play LF every day. RJ can’t. RJ can play center. Murton can’t. So, of course, RJ make more sense to this team with a LH CF and an All-Star LF. But now that we’re minus the latter… oh my heart just isn’t in it. Murton’s done with the Cubs, so why waste time?

I will give you your whammy, though (all in good fun):
RJ career v. LHP .309/.375/.462
MM career v. LH .317/.391/.497

by DGU on Jun 13, 2008 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reed Johnson is in the big leagues, Matt Murton is not

So your passionate argument fizzles out before it even gets started. Johnson can play all three outfield spots and has been a vital member of this Cub roster having been a vital member of the Blue Jays in the past.

Rich Harden !! 8 starts, 3-0, 47 IP, 58 Ks, 2.85 ERA

by MDBNIU on Jun 13, 2008 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Francisco Liriano is in the majors and Boof Bonser is not

Up until just a week or two ago Jay Bruce was in the minors and Corey Patterson was not.

Still, my point is being missed – Reed Johnson is more valuable to the Cubs in a backup role, but Matt Murton is more valuable in a starting LF role.

by DGU on Jun 14, 2008 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Murton for certain - certainly not going

to be the cubs left fielder.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jun 14, 2008 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Murton not only done as a Cub, but also as a major leaguer

Nobody across baseball wants Matt Murton. His fan club can keep saying he is replacement grade left fielder but there are 29 big league clubs plus the Cubs who would seemingly beg to differ. No versatility to play other positions seals his fate. He’ll play Triple A ball until the day he hangs up the spikes and shifts gears to another professional livelihood.

Rich Harden !! 8 starts, 3-0, 47 IP, 58 Ks, 2.85 ERA

by MDBNIU on Jun 13, 2008 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yawn.

As usual, you are incredibly wrong.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jun 14, 2008 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unfair.

Facts are similar to stats, and thus cannot be used against him. Plus, they kind of rhyme. Please try again.

"And there's a...BASE HIT! Fair ball! Fontenot will score! CUBS WIN!" -Len Kasper, 5.28.08

by neverAcquiesce on Jun 14, 2008 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aw, c'mon, BlueMike...

...Matt Murton hate is SO last year.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jun 14, 2008 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously---who voted for Fuld?

YUCK

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=t_ibp&cid=553

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jun 13, 2008 2:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Just for that, I’m voting Fuld too :P

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jun 13, 2008 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually....how come Jacque Jones isn't an option?!?

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jun 13, 2008 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We just got a new field

Let’s not slam baseballs into it.

"I tell you, Steve Blass, you pitch me inside, they never, never find that ball."
-Roberto Clemente

by cubbybear on Jun 13, 2008 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Loud, sustained laughter!

LSL, anyone?

"And there's a...BASE HIT! Fair ball! Fontenot will score! CUBS WIN!" -Len Kasper, 5.28.08

by neverAcquiesce on Jun 13, 2008 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lsa

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Jun 13, 2008 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Murton thing isn't going to happen, thank god.

Pinella and Hendry have made their feelings known by not bringing him up when Sori went down.
Word is that DeRo is going to get the bulk of playing time in left which I’m fine with. That puts Cedeno at second which could work out okay.

by bluekoolaide on Jun 13, 2008 2:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Murton

why do people on this blog like murton so much?? I’m not saying i hate the guy, but there HAS to be a reason he gets passed over ever since Lou has been in town. They need to trade this kid…

by cubbieson44th on Jun 13, 2008 2:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That IS a good point...

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark

by cubs199235 on Jun 13, 2008 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

geez, I'm replying to myself...

but I still think Murton should be given a shot

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark

by cubs199235 on Jun 13, 2008 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, but...

1) he already had a shot last season, and clearly for whatever reason it didnt work; 2) i wonder if they want to keep him in AAA where he can put up big numbers so his trade value is maximized. Hendry HAS to be willing to send this guy somewhere he can get playing time. If he comes up to the big leagues again, and sucks in limited playing time, thats probably gonna hurt our chances to move him.

I guess its just my feeling that Murton doesnt have a place on this club. Once Sori is back, our bench is pretty full with Johnson/Edmonds, Fonty and Ward. Plus Pie is gonna get the call for OF in Sept. So maybe Lou and company want to see if other kids have a shot to contribute.

by cubbieson44th on Jun 13, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've never understood the Murton love on this site either

He’s really the definition of a mediocre ballplayer-the fact that the Cubs haven’t been able to trade him over the last year or more tells me that most of the other GM’s have reached the same conclusion. There’s a reason why he’s languishing in the minors.

by bluekoolaide on Jun 13, 2008 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The fact that he was a career .296 hitter

In two and half seasons at the start of this year might have something to do
with why many of us love Murton. It is clear Lou hates him. He is so boring by making
contact but not hitting for power or having speed that after all is why he brought up
E-Pat over him. It is along many of Lou’s bad decisions that have basically been covered
by a very good team this year.
As for bluemike etc. Is he really dumb enough to believe that if the Cubs released Murton
he would not have the job the next day with a major league team? I think Hendry holds
out hope that Lou might be forced to bring him up and give him a chance but realistically
he does need to be traded and I expect Hendry to do this no later than the trade deadline
Given how much we have devalued him I doubt he will get more than a prospect
( I would get one that went to LSU to please Lou).
There are teams out there who would actually like a guy who can hit around .300 even
if he is not scrappy

FREE MATT MURTON

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

by Doggie Stalker on Jun 14, 2008 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Murton has been on the block since last season....

....and there haven’t been any takers.

Rich Harden !! 8 starts, 3-0, 47 IP, 58 Ks, 2.85 ERA

by MDBNIU on Jun 13, 2008 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone else notice the return of blue mike

just so happens to be about an hour or two after the Cubs lose

by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 13, 2008 11:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Derosa

With Cedeno at 2B. No option for that???

by ak123 on Jun 13, 2008 2:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

With Reed in Center, Theriot at SS, we can’t have Fontenot at 2B. It’s simply too much “scrappy”.

"I tell you, Steve Blass, you pitch me inside, they never, never find that ball."
-Roberto Clemente

by cubbybear on Jun 13, 2008 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But if you did that

it would be better to move Theriot over to second and play Cedeno SS, since he has the better range.

"And there's a...BASE HIT! Fair ball! Fontenot will score! CUBS WIN!" -Len Kasper, 5.28.08

by neverAcquiesce on Jun 13, 2008 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That isn't going to happen..

so just plan if your boy Cedeno is going to play its going to be at 2nd or as a backup at SS. I don’t get the love with Cedeno, I understand he is a better fielder but I’ll take Theriot as a hitter any day of the week. I agree that Theriot at 2nd is a better option but lets not mess with him if he is hitting well right now. Cedeno in my opinion just isn’t going to cut it and people can bash me if they want on that.

"Go Cubs Go"

by mkcubs21 on Jun 13, 2008 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cedeno

could play 3B too if Rami is going to DH. Derosa could be in left, Cedeno at 3B and scrappy #2 at 2B.

"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome

by gwood on Jun 13, 2008 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then...

who’s at short?

"And there's a...BASE HIT! Fair ball! Fontenot will score! CUBS WIN!" -Len Kasper, 5.28.08

by neverAcquiesce on Jun 13, 2008 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trammel

by DGU on Jun 13, 2008 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, that's Los Angeles.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jun 13, 2008 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ba-doom

Tss!

"And there's a...BASE HIT! Fair ball! Fontenot will score! CUBS WIN!" -Len Kasper, 5.28.08

by neverAcquiesce on Jun 14, 2008 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No argument here.

I wasn’t advocating anything, I was simply pointing out in the situation cubbybear presented it would be better to switch Riot over to second. That’s all. Personally, I’m all for Reed being our everyday LF and hitting eighth. Just my opinion, though.

"And there's a...BASE HIT! Fair ball! Fontenot will score! CUBS WIN!" -Len Kasper, 5.28.08

by neverAcquiesce on Jun 13, 2008 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I knew what you were getting at..

the whole cedeno over theriot argument drives me nuts b/c i truly believe over a complete season Cedeno’s numbers wouldn’t touch Theriots. I understand that he hasn’t had the chance but if Lou thought he was an everyday SS or 2nd he would be playing. He can’t hit like Theriot and it would take a lot to move DeRosa from 2nd, therefore he is a utility man. In my opinion thats what he should and will remain.

"Go Cubs Go"

by mkcubs21 on Jun 13, 2008 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really think Cedeno

might be good with decent playign time, but since that first hot month he seems almost lost at the plate.

My 08 Cubs record 7-0
Updated June 01

by Rudey on Jun 13, 2008 2:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Reed Johnson can't be our left fielder.

Reed Johnson can only hit left-handed pitching. Jim Edmonds, meanwhile, has put up modest production for us while largely being shielded from left-handed starters. It would be a

VERY

BAD

IDEA

to break up that platoon and go with a Johnson-Edmonds-Dome outfield. The two of them combined in some Voltronesque fashion is required to give this team a decent center fielder.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Jun 13, 2008 2:54 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

+1

for the Voltron reference.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 13, 2008 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Edmonds is not modest since May 30th

He is hitting over .350 and OBP over .400. That is where you begin judging Edmonds after he made the corrections.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jun 13, 2008 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Players make adjustments all the time.

You judge a player by the TOTALITY of his performance. Selective endpoints are a very quick way to end up invalidating all arguments – everyone picks the endpoints that makes their argument look good.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Jun 13, 2008 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Edmonds is doing that against right handed pitching only

There’s no reason to believe Edmonds can suddenly hit lefties now too. A strict platoon in center gets us the most for our money.

by Wreckard on Jun 13, 2008 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Most for our money"

not that we’re paying either of our CFs anything. Thank you, Toronto and San Diego!

by DGU on Jun 13, 2008 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Johnson is making $1.3 million,

and Edmonds is making the prorated league minimum, so the Cubs have cobbled together a modest but not unlivable center fielder for $1.6 million or so. The money is, you’re right, not really an issue.

The biggest cost of Reedmonds, though, is the opportunity cost. Reedmonds is cheap, but takes up two roster spots. We could have a more flexible and useful bench if we had one center fielder that could duplicate the production we’re getting out of Reedmonds.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Jun 13, 2008 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is that really as much of an issue

for platoons at the up-the-middle defensive positions? Johnson and Edmonds can play any OF position and the one not playing is valuable off the bench in certain situations. I’d rather have half of Reedmonds on the bench than Freddie Bynum.

by DGU on Jun 13, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well I didn't mean that literally

Poor choice of words in retrospect. I mean “get the most out of that position”.

by Wreckard on Jun 13, 2008 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep...

Rich Harden !! 8 starts, 3-0, 47 IP, 58 Ks, 2.85 ERA

by MDBNIU on Jun 13, 2008 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen to that

People are just looking at the overall stat line and not the splits, which are pretty ugly on both Edmonds and Johnson’s part. There’s a damn good reason Lou pinch hit for Edmonds in the 11th yesterday, even though he had the hot bat.

To me the solution is obvious – you do a 3-way platoon of Cedeno, Derosa, and Eric Patterson, with Derosa in LF and Cedeno at 2b vs lefties, and Patterson in LF and Derosa at 2b vs righties.

If Patterson doesn’t work out, your backup plan is to send him down and do a strict platoon of Murton and Hoffpauir.

by Wreckard on Jun 13, 2008 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

vs Righties... E-Pat

vs lefties… DeRosa, with a Cedeno-Theriot middle infield.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jun 13, 2008 3:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

We have to get Cedeno playing more, and this is the perfect opportunity to do it. E-Pat brings some speed against righties. E-Pat leads off as does Reed? Not sure about the leadoff against lefties.

"I tell you, Steve Blass, you pitch me inside, they never, never find that ball."
-Roberto Clemente

by cubbybear on Jun 13, 2008 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you want to win?

Then there is only one answer-

BARRY BONDS

None of the rest can drive in runs.

by cubswin on Jun 13, 2008 7:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ugh... no to Bonds.

I want to win, but I also want to be able to respect myself in the morning too.

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Jun 13, 2008 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really like the lineup Lou put out tonight

the problem is, D-Lee can’t DH in NL games

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." - Alvin Dark

by cubs199235 on Jun 13, 2008 7:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

left field

no soriano???this will show whether the cubs can step up or not.patterson does,nt do it forme and murton is done with this team.pinella does,nt like this kid.either derosa or reed out there.im glad edmonds is starting to step up.this guy is too good not to produce.

by NOMAR on Jun 14, 2008 7:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs