The RH OF we need

by Choix003 on Apr 21, 2009 12:21 PM EDT

Spurred on by this article, it is possible that our righthanded outfielder option is in AAA, just for another team.

The Colorado Rockies are holding Matt Murton hostage on their AAA team, where he is hitting 409/.480/.636 so far this season. In 1000 major league PA's, he has hit .288/.354/.438. Versus lefties he is coming in at .311/.382/.484 for his major league career. Also, according to FanGraphs, Murton has always been an above-average defender.

Then the question becomes what to do with him. I propose that we platoon him with Duncan and also use him as Duncan's late game defensive replacement/pinch-hitter vs LOOGYs. I know it seems that Duncan may have turned the corner vs LHP, he is still a career .215/.270/.376 hitter against southpaws.

So, the question(s) for you, dear readers, are as follows: Do you believe that we need a RH platoon mate for Duncan? If so, is Murton someone to consider? What would you trade for him? What do you think we would need to give up to get him?

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by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 21, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldn't be opposed to getting Murton

But it would have to be a steal of a deal. I don’t think we necessarily need a platoon partner for Duncan until he proves to us that his hot start against lefties this season is a fluke. What would you give up to get Murton?

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on Apr 21, 2009 12:32 PM EDT reply actions

I am uncertain what the Rockies need

but we currently seem to have a surplus of moderately useful RH relievers in the minors. Maybe they would like one of those (if only it was that easy).

Yep, every Hall of Famer did something unique. Mike Schmidt played with his hat sideways. Roberto Clemente chewed other people's fingernails. Tris Speaker was Japanese. Lou Boudreau rode a dolphin into the batter's box. Nap Lajoie would only use John Wilkes Booth's dismembered leg as a bat. And he corked it. Johnny Mize was from the future. - FJM

by Choix003 on Apr 21, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Seems like just yesterday...

some team traded a moderately useful RH reliever for AAA RH hitting LF. Does anyone else recall this?

Sometimes I wonder,
"Why is that frisbee getting bigger?"

...and then it hits me!!

by cardzfanbub on Apr 21, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

The Duncan Plan

for at least several posters, was for him to play well enough to have some trade value. He has held up his end of the bargain but no one seems to be advocating a trade anymore.

I think the combination of Ludwick and Duncan hitting behind Pujols has been very effective and that is a very important part of this team. They are both having All-Star seasons and I don’t think you mess with that part of this team. Rasmus is your long-term answer for CF and the perfect #2 hitter and as I see it #2 through #5 should be set and left alone.

With that being said I do think there is need for a RH outfielder / bat and I agree that Murton would be a good fit. I would gladly flip Ankiel for Murton but right now no one probably wants Ankiel. I do think that Ankiel will turn it around and when he does maybe a trade of this type might be possible.

by Warcard on Apr 21, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

Murton is basically Brian Barton

He has more power, but lower on base skills and slightly worse defense. Given the fact that I would have loved for Barton to platoon with Duncan, this would be a good move.

St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008

by vivaelpujols on Apr 21, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

I think his OBP is comparable

I reckon Murton’s maybe slightly better than barton.

That said, I wouldn’t give up much for him, given we have Allen Craig and (hopefully soon) Joe Mather in AAA who can play that platoon role with Dunc in LF. Maybe they’re looking for a recently-released, right-handed relief pitcher with the surname Boyer…

Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.

by Felonius_Monk on Apr 22, 2009 4:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Murton's better than Barton

but has less speed. I’d rather have Murton but I hardly see this as a deal that has to be made. We’re already having a hard time finding PT for our OFs. We’re short pitching, not OF play.

by chuckb on Apr 23, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions

The difference between the two is probably negligible

But I agree that we need some pitching, not OF.

St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008

by vivaelpujols on Apr 23, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

He's a ginger

so no.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Apr 21, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Daywalker

I've got one foot on the platform, the other foot on the train
I'm going back to New Orleans, to wear that ball and chain

by jd is legend on Apr 21, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

LMAO

by El Hombre on Apr 21, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

heeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyy

we’re not all son’s of satan

It kind of sounds like he’s [Duncan] just running around like a puppy out there – full speed ahead in random directions. – BTown Birds Fan

BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS

by gdm426 on Apr 21, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

nephew?

that’s still related ;)

Patiently awaiting the day Colby Rasmus does this: .275/.381/.551/.932, 29HR, in St. Louis...

by RunninRedbird on Apr 21, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

second cousin, by marriage

It kind of sounds like he’s [Duncan] just running around like a puppy out there – full speed ahead in random directions. – BTown Birds Fan

BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS

by gdm426 on Apr 21, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Former I-Cub

I’ve always been a Murton fan, but why trade for someone not quite as good as Barton after trading Barton? What’s more, we have people who are arguably as adequate a righty OFer as Murton in Mather (even though he isn’t doing well this young season) and perhaps Craig (count me amongst those who added Craig to my daily Bookmarks after the Barton trade).

"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."

--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS

by bgh on Apr 21, 2009 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

Let's have some fun with sample sizes

Allen Craig (2009): .371/.463/.514 at Memphis, which is more of pitchers park than the bandbox that Murton is playing in.

I have to believe that you give Craig or Mather (who hasn’t figured it out yet, but I think he will) a shot at the LF platoon before you trade for Matt Murton, who is out of options.

Why trade for a guy who isn’t appreciably better than what we currently have at our own AAA farm club?

"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller

by fourstick on Apr 21, 2009 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

I would love to see Craig brought up if Ankiel continues to struggle. His offense looks major league ready, and he could probably be an above average left fielder.

St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008

by vivaelpujols on Apr 21, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

We have enough outfielders

Trading for Murton would only add to our problems. While it would be nice to see a right handed outfielder against a lefty reliever, we don’t need another OF. We’ve got more than enough now as is.

Welcome to Baseball Heaven.

by zoomzoomj88 on Apr 21, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

If Mather wasn't off to his poor start in AAA

this fanpost wouldn’t be relevant. The two are projected similarly in OPS. Murton hits for a little higher AVG, but Mather has more power. Bombs will get it straightend out eventually. Besides, the last thing this team needs is another OF, especially after we just traded one away. If Joe doesn’t get things figured out soon call-up Craig and see how he responds.

Patiently awaiting the day Colby Rasmus does this: .275/.381/.551/.932, 29HR, in St. Louis...

by RunninRedbird on Apr 21, 2009 5:55 PM EDT reply actions

how did murton get to CO anyway?

I’m guessing he was a piece of the Holliday trade along with Huston Street and Greg Smith but I hadn’t remembered that.

Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.

by Felonius_Monk on Apr 22, 2009 4:50 AM EDT reply actions

You are correct, sir.

"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller

by fourstick on Apr 22, 2009 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Allen Craig

What we need is a right handed stick with pop on the bench. I agree with others that this should be Allen Craig. You can mix him in at 3B just as Tony did with Freese. We’re carrying an extra pitcher on the 25 man roster. Either Walters or Boggs eventually goes back down which opens up a spot on the 25 man roster. The problem is that Craig would then have to be added to the 40 man. We’re eating those open 40 man slots in a hurry if we make that move.

by jjray on Apr 22, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

We need to protect him eventually anyhow

and it’s possible we might be trading some MLB talent for prospects at some point, as well as the fact that names should be coming off the 40-man at the end of the year (contracts finishing etc.). I agree we need Craig up now – I’d really like to see what he can do.

Apart from anything else, although they’re doing the job for now, it’ll really suck if our 3B is manned by Barden and Thursty all year…

Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.

by Felonius_Monk on Apr 22, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

can't believe you'd say that.

brian barden has 3 HR in 25 PAs. Extrapolated over a full season at 3b, that means he’ll hit 72 HR over 600 PA’s. How can you not like that? amirite? huh?

brian barden, NL HR king? he’s slugging .826! how can you not want that all season long?

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on Apr 22, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, you've got a point there

I do want that all season long!
Poor Matt Murton. Just seems like one of those players who could be a perfectly capable major leaguer, but gets jerked around for one reason or another. However, even with the departure of Enunciate, I don’ t see the need or the space for him.
I’m strongly considering buying tickets for the Craig Bandwagon Express, what with Mather’s slow start and all.

by mattybobo on Apr 22, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions