Murton - An easy addition that would help greatly

[Gman]

Matt Murton was designated for assignment by the Rockies which would mean anyone can claim him . Here's the link Murton Designated (http://www.rototimes.com/mlb/player.php?tqid=5049&type=news&nid=145652). As far as I know he's making around ML minimum. He's a RH bat which I think the Braves desperately need. He can play RF and LF. He's always gotten bumped out of his chance despite very decent ML numbers and solid minor league numbers. Take away the numbers from his abysmal 70 sporadic at bats last year for oakland and you're looking at a .300/.365/.460 hitter from the right side and he rakes lefties to boot.

Somebody is asleep at the wheel if the Braves don't grab this guy. Norton would be an easy DFA to open up a spot. Norton's best side is LH so he's not what the Braves need. The Braves have given up way to many outs to LH loogies this year. Murton may not set the world on fire but he'll be a perfect filler for what I think has been a gaping hole all season. I wouldn't be surprised if he takes over in LF or RF once they give him the at bats.

[KB 34]

I thought Diaz when I looked at his numbers. I've been waiting for the Braves to upgrade from Diaz for a few seasons now and hope it will happen next year finally.

[Dreamscape]

Somebody is asleep at the wheel if the Braves don't grab this guy. Norton would be an easy DFA to open up a spot.
You're under the impression that not picking up Murton means someone is asleep at the wheel. I'd argue that having Norton at this point of the season means someone already is.

[Andy G.]

I thought Diaz when I looked at his numbers. I've been waiting for the Braves to upgrade from Diaz for a few seasons now and hope it will happen next year finally.
Diaz is awesome. He's cheap and he's a great platoon player. I'll be upset if the Braves don't keep Diaz and Church to platoon in left field next year. Church is a nice backup for center, and Diaz can play right and even center in a pinch. It would be silly to pay one player a lot more money to play left by himself. Unless he's a stud with a ridiculously affordable contract, he's not going to be a better deal than the combination of Church and Diaz.

Start 2010 with McLouth in center, Heyward in right and Diaz/Church in left. When Schafer is ready, Church is the odd man out and Matt Diaz is the best pinch hitter in the league. Diaz is extremely valuable to our team.

The only reason I can see to bring in a new outfielder for next season is if you want to handle Jason Heyward the way they handled Tommy Hanson this year.

[wordslayer©]

Diaz is awesome. He's cheap and he's a great platoon player. I'll be upset if the Braves don't keep Diaz and Church to platoon in left field next year. Church is a nice backup for center, and Diaz can play right and even center in a pinch. It would be silly to pay one player a lot more money to play left by himself. Unless he's a stud with a ridiculously affordable contract, he's not going to be a better deal than the combination of Church and Diaz.

Start 2010 with McLouth in center, Heyward in right and Diaz/Church in left. When Schafer is ready, Church is the odd man out and Matt Diaz is the best pinch hitter in the league. Diaz is extremely valuable to our team.

The only reason I can see to bring in a new outfielder for next season is if you want to handle Jason Heyward the way they handled Tommy Hanson this year.

Yep. This is what I'd do, too. Well,,,I'd put KJ out there, but since that isn't going to happen, then what you suggested is the best option. It's going to be hard to beat that platoon. This will buy you some time until Schafer is ready.

[The Rap]

If it was Murton for Norton I would do it in a heartbeat. It would be like bringing in someone alive for someone who has been dead for a long time.

[KB 34]

Diaz is awesome. He's cheap and he's a great platoon player. I'll be upset if the Braves don't keep Diaz and Church to platoon in left field next year. Church is a nice backup for center, and Diaz can play right and even center in a pinch. It would be silly to pay one player a lot more money to play left by himself. Unless he's a stud with a ridiculously affordable contract, he's not going to be a better deal than the combination of Church and Diaz.

Start 2010 with McLouth in center, Heyward in right and Diaz/Church in left. When Schafer is ready, Church is the odd man out and Matt Diaz is the best pinch hitter in the league. Diaz is extremely valuable to our team.

The only reason I can see to bring in a new outfielder for next season is if you want to handle Jason Heyward the way they handled Tommy Hanson this year.

I'm not convinced Schafer's struggles weren't influenced heavily by his injury problems and have him slated for an outfield position next season. Heyward gets a spot June 1 and McLouth is a great option for the third outfield spot. This leaves one of Church or Diaz as the 4th outfielder who backs up all the positions. From a financial standpoint I suspect it would be Diaz as he won't get as much money in arbitration.

[Gman]

If it was Murton for Norton I would do it in a heartbeat. It would be like bringing in someone alive for someone who has been dead for a long time.

That's all I was saying. Bring in Murton and drop Norton. Then platoon Murton with Anderson. The guy sitting on any given day would take over Norton's role. Nothing wrong with having two "matt diaz" types in the lineup. It also wouldn't hurt to be able to insert Murton out in LF in late innings for defense on days anderson starts.

[Dreamscape]

That's all I was saying. Bring in Murton and drop Norton. Then platoon Murton with Anderson. The guy sitting on any given day would take over Norton's role. Nothing wrong with having two "matt diaz" types in the lineup. It also wouldn't hurt to be able to insert Murton out in LF in late innings for defense on days anderson starts.
But, see, here's the problem. I would take Wes Timmons over Norton. I'd take Brandon Jones over Norton. Hell, Brooks Conrad looked good and still Norton has a job. I think the Braves could have picked up Aubrey Huff and Norton would still have a job. Apparently, his spot is safe through some weird Bobby logic. That means Murton would replace someone else and I don't see the need to replace anyone else on the bench with Murton.