Matthew Trueblood

Nice story on Pat Murphy's coaching staff.

Expected a fluff piece, but it ended up covering Pat's motivations and his desired approach.  Something that's been one of my biggest concerns this offseason.

I admired what CC  brought to the table as far as getting both veteran players and young guys pulling on the same end of the rope as a team. It led to the most successful run as a franchise since the early 80's.

However, those upset about him ditching the Brewers for the Cubs still haven't gotten answers concerning why. The Brewers were offering a raise and the chance to complete his mission. When I questioned his in game strategy, I'd get Counsell apologists telling me he wasn't calling the shots as far as lineups and personnel moves (like activating the injured Winker for the playoffs and using him in key at bats after a bad season. To be fair, reducing a division winner to the wild card round, best two of three is a Commissioner issue that needs fixing, NOT by more expansion,  but I digress).

 I hope Murph is calling the shots, start to finish and doesn't sit still for analytic geeks batting unmotivated .200 hitters in the heart of the order for 3/4 of the season.

Also, sitting and waiting for home runs is NOT a plan when your youth is built and speed. HR's are a happy occasion, but as a game plan is lazy management and proved costly.

I'm Murphy's age and seeing his college uber success record gives me hope that he will emphasize contact over 250 strikeouts and hitting into clutch situation double plays from the 3 and 4 hitters.

I'm cautiously optimistic that he will be given control of the offense and utilize their strengths instead and bury launch angles and low contact, low on base percentage to the dustbin marked "Fads".

The front office is working without their two best pitchers, and as much as I like Freddie and Wade, they are better served as #2 and #3 starters. I hold hope that Matt Arnold is still working the phones to get Murph at least a #2 or #3  quality starter. We have good #4,5 (and even #6, if needed) guys. But without another solid 7 inning guy, I think we will struggle in an improving Central division.

Anyway, the article was informative and gives me optimism that the decision making will be left more in the hands of management instead of stats geeks.  Their info is valuable, but the manager is hired to disseminate the info and make decisions, not the other way around.