dundeecub
Feb 22nd 2007, 12:32 pm
So we have the OF for this year set: Murton/Floyd, Soriano, Jones. But what about next year when Pie arrives?
The organizations continued pimping of Pie presumes that he must be a starter, and while he can play all 3 outfield spots it can be reasonably assumed with his supposedly superior defense he will take over in CF with Soriano moving to one of the corner spots. Where this specialist leadoff man will hit in the lineup is another question but i suppose he will be #2. If I were Pie I'd be very wary of the Cubs having spent so much money on a guy who does the 2 things he's been groomed to do. Anyway...
Soriano is also clearly a lock as his playing 2nd seems to have been consigned to the garbage can, which can only be positive.
This means its a shootout between Jones and Murton, and with Murton's inferior numbers and limited playing time this year Jones looks to be the favourite. In my opinion, to have a hope Murton needs to have a great year and cement himself a position in the lineup. Unfortunately his biggest asset so far has been his average, which lends him to being a #2 (as has been discussed ad nauseam on this board and the other one), and as I've said, Pie is a specialist leadoff man and got caned hitting #8 this winter.
Alas I cant find Murtons contract info anywhere but im sure someone will be able to dig it out. Jones though is playing his last year in 08 but I think is still the favourite being a) left-handed, b) a bigger hr threat. I don't think we can have Murton and Pie in the same lineup, they are too similar in what they provide, and even with Lee and Aram we cant afford to have two OFs who cant hit 15 hrs. Sorry to all the Matt fans out there!
My '08 Lineup
RF-Soriano
CF-Pie
1b-Lee
3b-Ramirez
LF-Jones
C-Barrett
SS-Premium free agent or trade
2B-deRosa (but I initially had EPatt here)
P
I'm aware that I'm getting ahead of myself but this is going to be a big deal.
The organizations continued pimping of Pie presumes that he must be a starter, and while he can play all 3 outfield spots it can be reasonably assumed with his supposedly superior defense he will take over in CF with Soriano moving to one of the corner spots. Where this specialist leadoff man will hit in the lineup is another question but i suppose he will be #2. If I were Pie I'd be very wary of the Cubs having spent so much money on a guy who does the 2 things he's been groomed to do. Anyway...
Soriano is also clearly a lock as his playing 2nd seems to have been consigned to the garbage can, which can only be positive.
This means its a shootout between Jones and Murton, and with Murton's inferior numbers and limited playing time this year Jones looks to be the favourite. In my opinion, to have a hope Murton needs to have a great year and cement himself a position in the lineup. Unfortunately his biggest asset so far has been his average, which lends him to being a #2 (as has been discussed ad nauseam on this board and the other one), and as I've said, Pie is a specialist leadoff man and got caned hitting #8 this winter.
Alas I cant find Murtons contract info anywhere but im sure someone will be able to dig it out. Jones though is playing his last year in 08 but I think is still the favourite being a) left-handed, b) a bigger hr threat. I don't think we can have Murton and Pie in the same lineup, they are too similar in what they provide, and even with Lee and Aram we cant afford to have two OFs who cant hit 15 hrs. Sorry to all the Matt fans out there!
My '08 Lineup
RF-Soriano
CF-Pie
1b-Lee
3b-Ramirez
LF-Jones
C-Barrett
SS-Premium free agent or trade
2B-deRosa (but I initially had EPatt here)
P
I'm aware that I'm getting ahead of myself but this is going to be a big deal.