Comments on: Matt Murton DFA

By: Paul Thomas

Paul Thomas — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:48:55 +0000

Hm. Right. Forgot about that one.

Same thing happened with Dana Eveland earlier this season. He was DFAed, but ended up just being optioned to AAA Sacramento.

Apparently no one ever claims anyone on optional waivers– it’s like some kind of unwritten transactional rule. I can’t remember where I read it, but apparently no one has EVER changed teams as a result of an optional waiver claim.

By: puck

puck — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:18:01 +0000

Murton must have passed through waivers, as he played at AAA Colorado Springs last night.

Interesting. I thought w/a DFA, that the player had to clear irrevocable waivers (or be traded). I didn’t know optional waivers were…an option.

Perhaps there will be a trade in the offseason that will open up some playing time for Murton, whether that’s on the Rockies or on another team.

By: Poseidon's Fist

Poseidon's Fist — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:24:58 +0000

According to Tracy Ringolsby:
“I am not sure of the complete details but it seems the Rockies asked for option waivers on Murton when they called him up. That meant he could not be sent down until Friday. As a result he had to be designated. That does not mean he has to be put on waivers, but it means the Rockies have 10 days to deal with his contract. I think that would allow them to assign him to the Springs once Friday passes.”

By: Felonius_Monk

Felonius_Monk — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:56:44 +0000

because illiterate idiots reply to it with comments like “do any of u guys watch or listen to glenn beck?”.

By: Rally

Rally — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:49:47 +0000

I’d like to see the Angels pick him up. And DFA Gary Matthew Jr.

By: Joe R

Joe R — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:36:40 +0000

He’s also 9 years younger, way less expensive, and has received sporadic playing time. Using WAR to compare a starter to a backup is stupid, he has 40% the PA’s of Fukudome. Projected out, he’d be worth about 1 less win if he had Fukudome’s playing time and cost the Cubs about $12.5 million less.

And yes, .257/.323/.415 for a 23 year old CF is solid. He will be fine. Odds he’s about as good as Fukudome in 2011 without the ridiculous price tag? Likely.

By: Ed Nelson

Ed Nelson — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:29:01 +0000

What happened to Fred Lewis anyways? I thought he was really going to breakout.

By: Paul Thomas

Paul Thomas — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:13:43 +0000

The Giants certainly SHOULD claim him, but… no, they’ll continue to run Nate Schierholtz, Fred Lewis and the mummified remains of Randy Winn out there instead.

By: Hark

Hark — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:09:50 +0000

The Mariners do not need outfielders.

By: razor

razor — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:09:15 +0000

Murton’s story isn’t that unusual. There are quite a few players like him. His defense may grade out via the metrics as at least average, but I’m not sure any of the organizations he’s played for would agree. In any case, he’s another in a long line of players that haven’t caught a break, or enough of one to establish himself enough to get a 25-man gig consistently. A lot of teams could do worse than Murton as a 4th/5th OF type for sure, but he doesn’t run particularly well and he’s a tweener in terms of power. His on base skills should eventually get him to catch a break, but then again…