A couple of weeks ago, the Chicago Cubs made an interesting move in signing outfielder Matt Murton, who played for the team from 2005-2007.
Murton, now 34 years old, spent the past six season playing for the Hanshin Tigers of the Nippon Baseball League in Japan. While in Hanshin, Murton hit over .300 in four of his six seasons, including a 2010 season where he broke Ichiro’s record for most hits in one season with 214.
Before Japan, however, Murton was a top prospect for the Red Sox, traded to the Cubs in the Nomar Garciaparra deal.