Murton For Byrd--A Texan's Perspective
On Saturday Texas Rangers observer Jamey Newberg of The Newberg Report reacted to this story at mlb.com regarding the Cubs' interest in 30-year-old outfielder Marlon Byrd and the possibility that Matt Murton could be headed for the Rangers.
Newberg theorizes that Murton could join David Murphy in a platoon tandem that would man left field for the Rangers. But Newberg believes the Rangers would have to package at least one solid prospect along with Byrd before the Cubs would bite.
"...Murton is probably out of position anywhere other than left.
"That defensive limitation is the only reason I can conceive of that the Cubs would entertain the idea of moving Murton for Byrd, who is adequate in center field. While both players can probably help a contending team in 2008, the four-year age difference would be significant for a team looking not so much at what sort of noise it can make this season but more at a longer-term fit, like Texas.
"Whether you believe Byrd's breakout in 2007 (.307/.355/.459, 70 RBI in two-thirds of a big league season, but .269/.310/.417 after the All-Star Break) was a mirage, it's hard to argue that at age 30 he's a player to build with (especially now that his ability to play center field is no longer pivotal here). On the other hand, with Chicago believing it can win now and wanting a right-handed hitter capable of sharing center field duties with 22-year-old lefthander Felix Pie, Byrd makes some sense. I just can't imagine the Cubs would trade Murton for him without demanding a legitimate prospect tossed in."
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per mlbtr...StL starting lefty, Jaime Garcia to undergo shoulder labrum repair after seeing Dr. Andrews and is out for the rest of the year. Some quote about Andrews surprised to see how well Garcia was pitching given how large (40%) the labral tear is.
We can measure how far the Cubs system is working by injuries like this, just watch how well Garcia's replacement in the rotation does. In 2011-12 the Cubs would be bringing up Rodrigo Lopez. Webster had a pic of RodLo in it's definition of hitting rock bottom.
Right thing to do, thanks 54 best LB in Bears history
Side note I was at Kerry Wood's & Urlacher's last games (Seattle )
Can't wait to get my Bulls opener tix
Urlacher retiring from NFL
http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/9301402/...
Cubs prioritize Vitters' development over Stewart
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&c...
Dave Duncan has took a leave of absence back in January 2012 (wife has cancer). So I don't know how much he's around these days.
Something to keep in mind about Michael Bowden, is that even if he clears waivers, he can refuse an Outright Assignment to the minors & elect free-ageny because he has been outrighted previously in his career.
JOHN B: Exactly. I think if the Cubs make a deal with the Rangers, it's Texas who would want some of the Cubs ISBP value, not the other-way around.
And remember too that the best 16-year old international prospects usually sign right at the start of the ISP on July 2nd, so there could be a flurry of trades on July 2 that would allow a club like the Rangers to add ISBP values that would enable them to sign the #1 Venezuelan or Dominican prospect.
JOHN B: 2012-13 International Signing Bonus Pool (ISBP) values ($2.9M per club) CANNOT be traded, and 2013-14 ISBP values (which are divided into 1/4 values of unequal amounts and which vary depending on the club's 2012 winning percentage ranking) cannot be traded until the start of the 2013-14 International Signing Period (ISP) on July 2nd. (The 2012-13 ISP closes on June 15th, and no international players can be signed during the period of time extending from June 16 to July 1.
Thank you. It sounds like the Cubs could maybe even be more logical sellers of an ISBP share than buyers. Packaging a share with Garza or Feldman might increase the eliteness of the in-system prospect(s) coming back to the Cubs.
Scouting Report, Sanchez:
"A fastball and slider specialist, Sanchez has been a lights-out reliever in the minors and now appears fully cooked and ready to help with an MLB squad. He didn't look his best during a stint with the team in 2012, but if he stays healthy, he can still be a nasty late-inning weapon for the Cardinals in 2013, and probably for many years to come."
How is it that the best organization, with Dave Duncan, would waive this guy?
He seems to be a solid prospect. As good, or better than any bullpen shit the Cubs have currently. Oh wait...
Cubster - did you see this about Josh Conway?
“I thought maybe some scar tissue had ripped, but it was a ligament anchor for the UCL. Basically, I have a fractured elbow right now.”
http://articles.herald-mail.com/2013-05-19/sports/...
I hope he had a tampon on him!
Harley?
from CBS sports and Tribune...
CBS...To make room for Garza on the roster, the Cubs earlier Tuesday designated RHP Michael Bowden for assignment. Also Tuesday, Chicago claimed RHP Eduardo Sanchez off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals and assigned him to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.
Trib...The 24-year-old Sanchez had a 3.72 earned-run average in nine appearances at Triple-A Memphis. He made 43 appearances for the Cardinals in 2011 and '12, compiling a 3.40 earned-run average. Last year he had a 6.60 ERA in 17 outings for the Cardinals.
m.trout gets his 1st cycle...