Baker: Bynum Could Work Himself Into a Platoon With Murton
With Matt Murton struggling against righthanded pitchers (595 OPS), "Cubs manager Dusty Baker said Thursday that the left-handed Bynum could work himself into a platoon situation with [] Murton," reports MLB.com. Bynum has a 696 OPS against righties, though in just 51 at-bats and 2 walks. He started in leftfield in today's game, a 3-2 loss to the Astros, and went 1-for-4 with a triple.
Baker said, "You see the speed he has . . . ." And we know that Baker loves speed.
With a short term perspective, it's probably not a bad move. Bynum's production against righties this year, though not good for a leftfielder, has certainly been better than Murton's. But there's little in Bynum's minor league track record that suggests he's a good long-term solution as anything more than a 25th man utility player. Murton's track record, on the other hand, is much more impressive. Keeping in mind that "the season is lost," Murton playing every day is the better move.
To be fair, in the MLB.com article, it appears that Baker just responded to a question of whether Bynum is a possible platoon option with the answer, "Possibly." What's he supposed to say? "No, he's just not that good, so I don't think that's a possibility"? That's not Baker's style. So perhaps there's not really much to this story. But, in any event, it would certainly help if Murton started hitting righthanders.
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Bynum
What's he supposed to say? "No, he's just not that good, so I don't think that's a possibility"?
Well, no. He could say something like, "Freddie's been quite an asset off the bench for us, but Matt Murton is our starting LF."
RE: Bynum
He could say something like, "Freddie's been quite an asset off the bench for us, but Matt Murton is our starting LF."
True, but have you ever seen Baker say something that unequivocal about a player's spot in the lineup?
Kiley on Murton's situation
The Sun-Times' Mike Kiley says this is the beginning of the end for Matt Murton.
He also has some smart comments:
The Cubs face lefthanded pitcher Nate Robertson today, so Murton should be in today's lineup at least.
A better question....
Are they going to be wrong, too, about Murton?
At some point, doesn't the question become, "Are they going to fail again to develop a promising hitter?" After so many misses, isn't it time to question their competence at least as much as their judgment?
Perspective
Also, a little perspective would help. Murton is just 24-years-old and yet has a career line of .290/.359/.434 in 113 games. The Cubs should not let a disappointing month-and-a-half dictate their perception of Murton.
Murton's Not a Sun Person
Remember back in 2003 when Baker made the comment that blacks and hispanics played better in the summer than white guys because they were "sun people"? That may be the reason why Murton is not getting a fair shot right now.
Restovich is a better option
In my opinion a better option then a platoon of Bynum and Murton is Michael Restovich. He is tearing it up down in triple AAA. I really believe that if given the opportunity to play everyday He can be the everyday Left fielder.