Corey Patterson traded to Balt. (per Levine)

[goonys evil twin]

I understand Hendry is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't, but you can't tell me that there was any compelling reason to keep Corey Patterson. And by compelling, I don't mean "He might, he might..."

 

I think the most compelling reason would be that there is a good chance he was the 4th best OF on the team, and $3m is not outlandish for 4th OF, especially not for a team that guarantees $5m for Neifi Perez.

 

There was also a decent chance he'd be the 3rd best OF, and an outside shot of being the best or second best OF on this years team. That's not saying I expect him to be all that good this year, but the current OF isn't any good, and it wouldn't take much to outproduce some of them, at least.

[goonys evil twin]

I'd really like to see Corey blast Dusty and/or the Cubs organization on his way out. He seems like too much of a stand up guy to do that though.

 

After last year, Corey has nothing to stand on. Would look like lots of sour grapes.

Fine, I'll settle for any current or former Cub blasting Dusty.

 

I think that would only serve to make the player look bad and Dusty look like a martyr who had to deal with a bunch of malcontents.

[Outshined_One]

Spears will probably start at 2B/SS for Daytona. Corey's little brother is going to be helming 2B for the DJaxx next season.

[HoopsCubs]

I'd really like to see Corey blast Dusty and/or the Cubs organization on his way out. He seems like too much of a stand up guy to do that though.

 

After last year, Corey has nothing to stand on. Would look like lots of sour grapes.

Fine, I'll settle for any current or former Cub blasting Dusty.

 

I have a feeling Walker will.

 

That's a given. I can't wait to hear what Walker has to say on his way out of town. :twisted:

 

I'll take the flipside. I could care less about what Walker has to say. He's a malcontent that will have played for 6 different teams over 7 seasons when he's dealt - that tells me enough.

[JeffH]

Spears will probably start at 2B/SS for Daytona. Corey's little brother is going to be helming 2B for the DJaxx next season.

 

Very, very doubtful that Spears repeats High-A.

[E.J.]

I'd really like to see Corey blast Dusty and/or the Cubs organization on his way out. He seems like too much of a stand up guy to do that though.

 

After last year, Corey has nothing to stand on. Would look like lots of sour grapes.

Fine, I'll settle for any current or former Cub blasting Dusty.

 

I have a feeling Walker will.

 

That's a given. I can't wait to hear what Walker has to say on his way out of town. :twisted:

 

I'll take the flipside. I could care less about what Walker has to say. He's a malcontent that will have played for 6 different teams over 7 seasons when he's dealt - that tells me enough.

 

Oh I agree, but it will still make for good message-board fodder. :D

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Spears will probably start at 2B/SS for Daytona. Corey's little brother is going to be helming 2B for the DJaxx next season.

 

Why wouldn't he be at SS in AA? Theriot looks Iowa bound, and there wasn't anyone really set at SS for Daytona last year, unless I'm overlooking someone.

[oldcubsfan]

I understand Hendry is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't, but you can't tell me that there was any compelling reason to keep Corey Patterson. And by compelling, I don't mean "He might, he might..."

 

I think the most compelling reason would be that there is a good chance he was the 4th best OF on the team, and $3m is not outlandish for 4th OF, especially not for a team that guarantees $5m for Neifi Perez.

 

There was also a decent chance he'd be the 3rd best OF, and an outside shot of being the best or second best OF on this years team. That's not saying I expect him to be all that good this year, but the current OF isn't any good, and it wouldn't take much to outproduce some of them, at least.

Neifi had a far better year than Corey did.

[E.J.]

Spears will probably start at 2B/SS for Daytona. Corey's little brother is going to be helming 2B for the DJaxx next season.

 

Why wouldn't he be at SS in AA? Theriot looks Iowa bound, and there wasn't anyone really set at SS for Daytona last year, unless I'm overlooking someone.

 

I see someone has a new name. :D

[goonys evil twin]

I understand Hendry is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't, but you can't tell me that there was any compelling reason to keep Corey Patterson. And by compelling, I don't mean "He might, he might..."

 

I think the most compelling reason would be that there is a good chance he was the 4th best OF on the team, and $3m is not outlandish for 4th OF, especially not for a team that guarantees $5m for Neifi Perez.

 

There was also a decent chance he'd be the 3rd best OF, and an outside shot of being the best or second best OF on this years team. That's not saying I expect him to be all that good this year, but the current OF isn't any good, and it wouldn't take much to outproduce some of them, at least.

Neifi had a far better year than Corey did.

 

Perhaps. But he still sucked, and he consistently sucks. Corey's off year was an unexpected low. Neifi's crappy season was an expected clunker. The point is if you are willing to pay Neifi $5m, you have to be willing to pay Corey $3m, so money can't be the reason.

[CubfaninCA]

I'd really like to see Corey blast Dusty and/or the Cubs organization on his way out. He seems like too much of a stand up guy to do that though.

 

After last year, Corey has nothing to stand on. Would look like lots of sour grapes.

Fine, I'll settle for any current or former Cub blasting Dusty.

 

I have a feeling Walker will.

 

That's a given. I can't wait to hear what Walker has to say on his way out of town. :twisted:

 

I'll take the flipside. I could care less about what Walker has to say. He's a malcontent that will have played for 6 different teams over 7 seasons when he's dealt - that tells me enough.

 

The fact that they still haven't moved him says a lot. Doubtful his complaint will have much impact when he's dealt for some scrubs. He'll just prove why few want him.

[Blueheart05]

I'd really like to see Corey blast Dusty and/or the Cubs organization on his way out. He seems like too much of a stand up guy to do that though.

 

Corey doesn't have much room to blast anyone. The Cubs (especially Hendry) would have loved for him to have had a productive 2005. Patterson's refusal to go to winter ball cemented his exit.

I'd have to believe winter ball was nothing more than a convenient excuse for Hendry to use. Corey worked with a hitting coach (and a good one, at that) down in Arizona during the fall, which in my opinion, is much more important than just going down to play winter ball. That is if he re-overhauled it, of course. Going down to play winter ball with what the Cubs were trying to do to him wasn't going to do any good, anyways.

 

And they talked his demotion up to be about clearing his head. If that was really their intention, not having a few months off to just forget about baseball, spend time with family, and stay in shape is quite the opposite.

 

The day that certain people in this organization will finally be held accountable for jerking around and hindering development of young players will be a happy one for me.

 

I disagree. I don't believe that trading Corey was an easy decision for Hendry; I think Corey was/is one of his favorite players. However, it was obvious that the Cubs wanted him to work on his swing in game situations. Also, the Cubs wanted Corey to give them an answer about playing in the WL before the end of the season (I recall Casper mentioning it on air). Perhaps a trade could have been averted with work on Corey's part. IMO, his refusal to go to winterball showed defiance toward the organization and a lack of understanding about the severity of the situation. In the final analysis, Patterson put himself in a position to be traded because of his lack of plate discipline and seeming disinterest in tackling the problem in a way that was satisfactory to the club.

[CubfaninCA]

I understand Hendry is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't, but you can't tell me that there was any compelling reason to keep Corey Patterson. And by compelling, I don't mean "He might, he might..."

 

I think the most compelling reason would be that there is a good chance he was the 4th best OF on the team, and $3m is not outlandish for 4th OF, especially not for a team that guarantees $5m for Neifi Perez.

 

There was also a decent chance he'd be the 3rd best OF, and an outside shot of being the best or second best OF on this years team. That's not saying I expect him to be all that good this year, but the current OF isn't any good, and it wouldn't take much to outproduce some of them, at least.

Neifi had a far better year than Corey did.

 

Perhaps. But he still sucked, and he consistently sucks. Corey's off year was an unexpected low. Neifi's crappy season was an expected clunker. The point is if you are willing to pay Neifi $5m, you have to be willing to pay Corey $3m, so money can't be the reason.

 

The Cubs aren't going shell out $5.5 million or so for 2 gloves.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'll take the flipside. I could care less about what Walker has to say. He's a malcontent that will have played for 6 different teams over 7 seasons when he's dealt - that tells me enough.

 

I've heard this several times about Walker, and the relationship is flimsy at best IMO. Grudz is on his 4th team in 5 years, and he had some collusion complaints when he left Chicago(worse than Walker's comments IMO), and no one refers to him as a malcontent who nobody wants despite him ending up in KC. Why is that?

[goonys evil twin]

The Cubs aren't going shell out $5.5 million or so for 2 gloves.

 

Why not? They've wasted far more on other guys who are mostly just gloves, and their entire offseason focus was on guys who can catch the ball.

[Jon]

I disagree. I don't believe that trading Corey was an easy decision for Hendry; I think Corey was/is one of his favorite players. However, it was obvious that the Cubs wanted him to work on his swing in game situations. Also, the Cubs wanted Corey to give them an answer about playing in the WL before the end of the season (I recall Casper mentioning it on air). Perhaps a trade could have been averted with work on Corey's part. IMO, his refusal to go to winterball showed defiance toward the organization and a lack of understanding about the severity of the situation. In the final analysis, Patterson put himself in a position to be traded because of his lack of plate discipline and seeming disinterest in tackling the problem in a way that was satisfactory to the club.

By all accounts, Corey did everything else that was asked of him. He worked extra hours so they could screw up his swing even further. He allowed them to try to change his style of hitting because they needed a slappy leadoff hitter much worse than a power hitter trying to improve his current swing and OBP. He accepted his demotion to AAA. He worked on his swing this fall. Baker and Clines commented on the radio about how happy they were with his effort, just not his progress. Listach was quoted as saying positive things about his work. There wasn't anything wrong with his work ethic that was visible to anyone outside of the organization. And let's not forget about them bringing up Patterson before he was able to have any kind of consistent success at the plate in AAA. That would have been a pretty good time to work on his swing in game situations.

 

Corey's fate was sealed before the season was over. His value off the bench would not have been very great, especially considering he needs to play every day to improve. Hendry knew very well that Juan Pierre or a Juan Pierre-type was going to be one of their main goals. Unfortunately for them, Patterson couldn't be converted. He and Baker talked non-stop about needing a leadoff hitter. Left field was going to Murton and whichever veteran they signed to start instead of him. And I don't think they wanted to keep him around for right field. I'd have to believe the only reason why it took so long to move him was because he's more valuable in a multi-player trade for an impact player than in a trade like this.

[oldcubsfan]

I understand Hendry is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't, but you can't tell me that there was any compelling reason to keep Corey Patterson. And by compelling, I don't mean "He might, he might..."

 

I think the most compelling reason would be that there is a good chance he was the 4th best OF on the team, and $3m is not outlandish for 4th OF, especially not for a team that guarantees $5m for Neifi Perez.

 

There was also a decent chance he'd be the 3rd best OF, and an outside shot of being the best or second best OF on this years team. That's not saying I expect him to be all that good this year, but the current OF isn't any good, and it wouldn't take much to outproduce some of them, at least.

Neifi had a far better year than Corey did.

 

Perhaps. But he still sucked, and he consistently sucks. Corey's off year was an unexpected low. Neifi's crappy season was an expected clunker. The point is if you are willing to pay Neifi $5m, you have to be willing to pay Corey $3m, so money can't be the reason.

No, to make it equal you would have to say you are paying Corey $6 million. Maybe Neifi didn't help fantasy teams, but he sure as heck wasn't the main problem the Cubs had. It is entertaining to read people missing Corey after all the bashing he has received on this board for at least 6 months.

[Outshined_One]

Ah, my mistake, I thought he was at Low A last season.

 

Yeah, looks like Spears could be the starting SS for the DJaxx next season.

[Tim]

I understand Hendry is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't, but you can't tell me that there was any compelling reason to keep Corey Patterson. And by compelling, I don't mean "He might, he might..."

 

I think the most compelling reason would be that there is a good chance he was the 4th best OF on the team, and $3m is not outlandish for 4th OF, especially not for a team that guarantees $5m for Neifi Perez.

 

There was also a decent chance he'd be the 3rd best OF, and an outside shot of being the best or second best OF on this years team. That's not saying I expect him to be all that good this year, but the current OF isn't any good, and it wouldn't take much to outproduce some of them, at least.

Neifi had a far better year than Corey did.

 

Perhaps. But he still sucked, and he consistently sucks. Corey's off year was an unexpected low. Neifi's crappy season was an expected clunker. The point is if you are willing to pay Neifi $5m, you have to be willing to pay Corey $3m, so money can't be the reason.

No, to make it equal you would have to say you are paying Corey $6 million. Maybe Neifi didn't help fantasy teams, but he sure as heck wasn't the main problem the Cubs had. It is entertaining to read people missing Corey after all the bashing he has received on this board for at least 6 months.

It is interesting that you make this kind of statement given that you are certainly bright enough to know those comments are coming from different groups of people. It makes me wonder what the purpose of such a statement could be, other than to provoke the person you are addressing.

[Tim]

Ah, my mistake, I thought he was at Low A last season.

 

Yeah, looks like Spears could be the starting SS for the DJaxx next season.

Carlos Perez was the one in Low A last year.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'll take the flipside. I could care less about what Walker has to say. He's a malcontent that will have played for 6 different teams over 7 seasons when he's dealt - that tells me enough.

 

I've heard this several times about Walker, and the relationship is flimsy at best IMO. Grudz is on his 4th team in 5 years, and he had some collusion complaints when he left Chicago(worse than Walker's comments IMO), and no one refers to him as a malcontent who nobody wants despite him ending up in KC. Why is that?

 

Reggie Sanders is a troublemaker!!

[CuseCubFan69]

I'll take the flipside. I could care less about what Walker has to say. He's a malcontent that will have played for 6 different teams over 7 seasons when he's dealt - that tells me enough.

 

I've heard this several times about Walker, and the relationship is flimsy at best IMO. Grudz is on his 4th team in 5 years, and he had some collusion complaints when he left Chicago(worse than Walker's comments IMO), and no one refers to him as a malcontent who nobody wants despite him ending up in KC. Why is that?

 

Hey Hobbs....no pitcher of your gun yet?

 

I wonder if Hendry was offered more last trading deadline?

[Blueheart05]

I disagree. I don't believe that trading Corey was an easy decision for Hendry; I think Corey was/is one of his favorite players. However, it was obvious that the Cubs wanted him to work on his swing in game situations. Also, the Cubs wanted Corey to give them an answer about playing in the WL before the end of the season (I recall Casper mentioning it on air). Perhaps a trade could have been averted with work on Corey's part. IMO, his refusal to go to winterball showed defiance toward the organization and a lack of understanding about the severity of the situation. In the final analysis, Patterson put himself in a position to be traded because of his lack of plate discipline and seeming disinterest in tackling the problem in a way that was satisfactory to the club.

By all accounts, Corey did everything else that was asked of him. He worked extra hours so they could screw up his swing even further. He allowed them to try to change his style of hitting because they needed a slappy leadoff hitter much worse than a power hitter trying to improve his current swing and OBP. He accepted his demotion to AAA. He worked on his swing this fall. Baker and Clines commented on the radio about how happy they were with his effort, just not his progress. Listach was quoted as saying positive things about his work. There wasn't anything wrong with his work ethic that was visible to anyone outside of the organization. And let's not forget about them bringing up Patterson before he was able to have any kind of consistent success at the plate in AAA. That would have been a pretty good time to work on his swing in game situations.

 

Corey's fate was sealed before the season was over. His value off the bench would not have been very great, especially considering he needs to play every day to improve. Hendry knew very well that Juan Pierre or a Juan Pierre-type was going to be one of their main goals. Unfortunately for them, Patterson couldn't be converted. He and Baker talked non-stop about needing a leadoff hitter. Left field was going to Murton and whichever veteran they signed to start instead of him. And I don't think they wanted to keep him around for right field. I'd have to believe the only reason why it took so long to move him was because he's more valuable in a multi-player trade for an impact player than in a trade like this.

 

I don't think Corey accepted his demotion well at all. Also, when he went to the minor leagues he reportedly told his new hitting coach that the Cubs staff had not tried to help him close the holes in his swing (which prompted him to later retract his statement). I don't disagree that the Cubs wanted a true "leadoff man," but I do believe that if Corey had shown the organization that he was willing to follow their direction he would not have been traded. I believe they would have considered moving him to RF and batting him lower in the lineup.

Edited January 9, 2006 by Blueheart05

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

MPrior wrote: "Man, if we got two minor leaguers for him, I really can't imagine them being that good. Unless the other teams' interest really pushed up the price, I guess".

 

--- I'm not so sure. Judging by the ESPN article, these two minor leaguers showed a lot of promise. I'm happy for the Cubs and I'm happy for Corey. My only regret is that the Cubs didn't call up Eric Patterson in September last season, so that he and Corey could have played together.

---#26 Sweet Swinging Billy Williams (Formerly ITex)

 

"The 20-year-old Spears spent last season at Baltimore's Carolina League affiliate at Frederick, Md. The left-handed hitter batted .294 with 30 doubles, six triples, six homers and 41 RBI in 112 games.

Perez recorded his first career double-digit winning season last year, going 11-8 in 27 starts for Class-A Delmarva. The 23-year-old worked a career-high 151 1/3 innings and struck out 146 while walking just 61".

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2285777

[YearofDaCubs]

I understand Hendry is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't, but you can't tell me that there was any compelling reason to keep Corey Patterson. And by compelling, I don't mean "He might, he might..."

 

I think the most compelling reason would be that there is a good chance he was the 4th best OF on the team, and $3m is not outlandish for 4th OF, especially not for a team that guarantees $5m for Neifi Perez.

 

There was also a decent chance he'd be the 3rd best OF, and an outside shot of being the best or second best OF on this years team. That's not saying I expect him to be all that good this year, but the current OF isn't any good, and it wouldn't take much to outproduce some of them, at least.

Neifi had a far better year than Corey did.

 

Perhaps. But he still sucked, and he consistently sucks. Corey's off year was an unexpected low. Neifi's crappy season was an expected clunker. The point is if you are willing to pay Neifi $5m, you have to be willing to pay Corey $3m, so money can't be the reason.

No, to make it equal you would have to say you are paying Corey $6 million. Maybe Neifi didn't help fantasy teams, but he sure as heck wasn't the main problem the Cubs had. It is entertaining to read people missing Corey after all the bashing he has received on this board for at least 6 months.

It is interesting that you make this kind of statement given that you are certainly bright enough to know those comments are coming from different groups of people. It makes me wonder what the purpose of such a statement could be, other than to provoke the person you are addressing.

I'm pretty sure with Neifi's bonus money he is indeed making 6mil.