The Cubs recalled Matt Murton from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and sent Eric Patterson back down, though they may just be showcasing Murton for a possible deal.

"We hated to send Patterson out, we really did," manager Lou Piniella said. "He's a good young man. We just needed a right-hand bat. We lost Soriano, and we brought up two left-handed bats (in Patterson and Micah Hoffpauir).We're happy to have Murton back. Let's hope he can come in here and swing the bat and help us."

Or perhaps help someone else, because Murton definitely is not in the Cubs' long-range plans.

General manager Jim Hendry sent special assistant Ken Kravec to scout Boston this week in Cincinnati and Philadelphia. The Cubs still are interested in Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp,and now may be willing to include Rich Hill in a multiplayer package. Murton was acquired from Boston in the Nomar Garciaparra deal in '04.

After the Cubs demoted him May 1, Murton hit .298 at Iowa with one home run while playing exclusively in left field. He had played in 289 games with the Cubs from '05 to '07, so the demotion was difficult to digest.

Murton and Hill are AAAA players, IMHO. Hill's whip is as mediocre as his uncontrollable fastball.

I don't know what else you want for a 4OFer. Granted he is a tremendous defender, but he can't hit. I really like the idea of getting Rich Hill because it gives the organization even more depth because he has options. Granted he is wild and probably will always be, but he is still relatively young (28) and he doesn't give up many hits. He also has a solid K/9 ratio and last year had a G/F of 0.92.

Plus, he was born in Boston, MA. Just another guy to root for

Murton and Hill are AAAA players, IMHO. Hill's whip is as mediocre as his uncontrollable fastball.

i just wonder if this is the right time with Ortiz out and Manny nursing a sore hammy. We need our outfield depth.

How would trading 1 OF'er for another OF'er plus a pitcher hurt your outfield depth?

That's odd, since he finished 8th in Whip in the NL in 2007....Hmmm.

career MLB batting average for Mr. Murton - .297 OBP = 365
Same for Mr Crisp: .278 and .327
20 points in BA and 40 points in OBP - hmmm.

career MLB batting average for Mr. Murton - .297 OBP = 365
Same for Mr Crisp: .278 and .327
20 points in BA and 40 points in OBP - hmmm.

Have we become so spoiled that we dont think young, cost-controlled, above average starting pitchers with great K numbers are not worth trading fifth OFers for???

I like Hill too but if he's an "above average" starting pitcher, why's he in the minors?

18 BB in 19.2 IP in the majors in 2008.
24 BB in 25.1 IP in AAA in 2008.

Contrary to a published report this week, the Cubs were not already pursuing veteran starting outfielders. In particular, Cubs insiders shot down a report that the team is pursuing Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp, with one source saying the team has had no talks with Boston on the subject since spring training.

Left-hander Rich Hill, who has continued to struggle with his control since a demotion to the minors six weeks ago, is scheduled to start tonight for Class AAA Iowa after a precautionary trip to Chicago this week to have his back checked. Hill, who was fine, spent a brief stretch on the minor-league DL in May with back spasms.