Patterson.....

[Jon]

I'm not sure if this was said since I didn't feel like reading the last 10-15 posts in this thread but Dusty did say in a press conference the other day that it was a squeeze but that Prior didn't see Corey break for home so he swung away. It wasn't Corey's fault, it was Mark's.

Did you hear Dusty say that quote that was in Sullivan's article about not being sure if he was taught how to squeeze in the minors? Was he referring to Corey or Mark?

[burnt out cubbie fan]

No idea, didn't hear it.

[bring stone back]

Perhaps a safety squeeze was called (often is the case with a pitcher) and Prior didn't execute? I know we need to blame Patterson for everything but just a thought.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Umm...he did a full swing. That's not attempting to execute.

[bring stone back]

I understand it was a full swing. What I'm saying is perhaps there was miscommunication with Patt thinking it was a safety squeeze and Prior thinking it was a suicide squeeze. Patt didn't break with the pitch and Prior saw that from the corner of his eye and assumed it was Patt's fault and he missed the sign.

[Jon]

I understand it was a full swing. What I'm saying is perhaps there was miscommunication with Patt thinking it was a safety squeeze and Prior thinking it was a suicide squeeze. Patt didn't break with the pitch and Prior saw that from the corner of his eye and assumed it was Patt's fault and he missed the sign.

But how late in the delivery could Prior see Patterson out of the corner of his eye? That was his explanation, but I don't see how realiable a quick peak would be, especially if he still had time to change his mind and swing away. Corey might not have started running at the very start of the pitcher's delivery, but he did go well before the ball was released.

 

But the main point is that ultimately, it wasn't Corey's fault and Sullivan's article made it seem like it was.

[IowaCubsFan]

I frankly don't care all that much to hear Patterson defended over one thing he did right. The fact is the guy just isn't mentally focused on the game of baseball enough to be successful at the major league level.

 

He got doubled off the other night on a fly ball, makes other stupid baserunning mistakes, has a genetic disorder where he swings at every first pitch, strikes out a rate that would make Jose Hernandez blush, and is the least clutch hitter in the organization.

 

At this point I have little patience for someone who doesn't execute and doesn't care that he isn't getting the job done. It's obvious he hasn't listened to anyone that tried working with him. He's had the better part of two seasons to prove that the first half of 2003 wasn't a fluke. Unfortunately he hasn't. He's a bum.

 

Time to cut bait with this one, boys. Find a team willing to take on this project in a trade, or just release his lazy arse. Then it'll be on Hendry to sign Damon in the offseason.

 

It's time we stopped coddling losers in this organization, and CP is as big a loser as we've had in a long time.

[Warpticon]

Wow, not this garbage again. What's obvious is that you don't mind speaking authoritatively about things you have no way of knowing.

[bring stone back]

To call him a loser or a bum and to say he doesn't care is a but much. Do you think he enjoys getting booed every time he plays in front of his HOME fans? Do you think he enjoys struggling?

 

I think his problem is mental and he's defeated before he starts. I think he swings early in the count because he's scared right now to hit behind in the count and swings at anything to avoid a 1-2 or 0-2 count.

 

Call me crazy but maybe a long off-season or God forbid, a few trips to a sports psychologist would help him. It sure helped Smoltz and A-Rod swears by it.....

[Shawon12]

Fact is, most of the vocal members of our forum who defend CP would rip him to shreds if he were on another team. I like the loyality, but it hurts the credibility.

 

The hard truth is Macias is just as valuable to a major league roster at this point.

[leatherguts]

Fact is, most of the vocal members of our forum who defend CP would rip him to shreds if he were on another team. I like the loyality, but it hurts the credibility.

 

The hard truth is Macias is just as valuable to a major league roster at this point.

 

Bingo. Although Patterson's defense is usually respectable.

[Jon]

Fact is, most of the vocal members of our forum who defend CP would rip him to shreds if he were on another team. I like the loyality, but it hurts the credibility.

 

The hard truth is Macias is just as valuable to a major league roster at this point.

You mean aside from the glove, arm, power, speed, and future?

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Fact is, most of the vocal members of our forum who defend CP would rip him to shreds if he were on another team. I like the loyality, but it hurts the credibility.

 

The hard truth is Macias is just as valuable to a major league roster at this point.

 

Bingo. Although Patterson's defense is usually respectable.

Macias is a better hitter & Patterson a better defender = wash

 

Neither should be starting on any major league roster.

[bring stone back]

Thank you....to say that Macias is as valuable to a MLB team as Patterson is ridiculous.

[Jon]

Yes, Corey is having a terrible season. But considering his cost, potential, and desire to get better, bringing in a good coaching staff that understands what kind of ballplayer he is could really do wonders for Corey and the rest of the organization. If Hendry addresses that and the other positions, it wouldn't really hurt the club next season to start him in center and bat 7th.

[leatherguts]

Yes, Corey is having a terrible season. But considering his cost, potential, and desire to get better, bringing in a good coaching staff that understands what kind of ballplayer he is could really do wonders for Corey and the rest of the organization. If Hendry addresses that and the other positions, it wouldn't really hurt the club next season to start him in center and bat 7th.

 

Corey is having a terrible career. And how exactly do you gauge his "desire to get better"? And how many coaches does Corey have to go through?

 

Corey could be a very valuable bench player, but he is not a starting CF for a team that wants a playoff spot.

[Warpticon]

I would suggest that many of you learn the definition of the word "fact" before using it again.

[Jon]

Yes, Corey is having a terrible season. But considering his cost, potential, and desire to get better, bringing in a good coaching staff that understands what kind of ballplayer he is could really do wonders for Corey and the rest of the organization. If Hendry addresses that and the other positions, it wouldn't really hurt the club next season to start him in center and bat 7th.

 

Corey is having a terrible career. And how exactly do you gauge his "desire to get better"? And how many coaches does Corey have to go through?

 

Corey could be a very valuable bench player, but he is not a starting CF for a team that wants a playoff spot.

The Cubs made a mistake by not letting him develop and are going to have to live with it if they want to get the kind of production out of Corey that they had hoped. I'd much rather have him in center while upgrading other positions than have to pay a higher price for someone on Juan Pierre's level at multiple positions. Look around at the other playoff teams. It's quite possible to make the playoffs with Patterson on the team. Actually, it's quite important to have cheaper talent.

 

The "desire to get better" comes from comments from him and all of his coaches repeatedly saying that. Even Dusty will drop the occasional complement.

 

And Corey just needs the right coach or two. Not three or four coaches who try to make him into something he's not. And Dusty's latest comments really scared me. To want to "overhaul" a young player's entire game in a month at AAA is pretty absurd.

[leatherguts]

Yes, Corey is having a terrible season. But considering his cost, potential, and desire to get better, bringing in a good coaching staff that understands what kind of ballplayer he is could really do wonders for Corey and the rest of the organization. If Hendry addresses that and the other positions, it wouldn't really hurt the club next season to start him in center and bat 7th.

 

Corey is having a terrible career. And how exactly do you gauge his "desire to get better"? And how many coaches does Corey have to go through?

 

Corey could be a very valuable bench player, but he is not a starting CF for a team that wants a playoff spot.

The Cubs made a mistake by not letting him develop and are going to have to live with it if they want to get the kind of production out of Corey that they had hoped. I'd much rather have him in center while upgrading other positions than have to pay a higher price for someone on Juan Pierre's level at multiple positions. Look around at the other playoff teams. It's quite possible to make the playoffs with Patterson on the team. Actually, it's quite important to have cheaper talent.

 

The "desire to get better" comes from comments from him and all of his coaches repeatedly saying that. Even Dusty will drop the occasional complement.

 

And Corey just needs the right coach or two. Not three or four coaches who try to make him into something he's not. And Dusty's latest comments really scared me. To want to "overhaul" a young player's entire game in a month at AAA is pretty absurd.

 

 

That's what I mean. This seems to be a case of "too many chefs in the kitchen" and I wonder if Corey might not respond better to a different (smaller) role, and less attention.

[cbbryan]

I use to be a guy that said Corey's problems were because the Cubs rushed him up to the majors, but I've slowly changed my thought process about that. I think MLB players have to make adjustments on a daily basis, understand the situations w/in the game, and understand what they're "tools" are and how to utilize them.

 

Corey's big problem has been that he wants to be something he's not. He's not willing to cut down his swing and utilize his speed. When I watch him bat, it's almost as if he's always guessing the next pitch and makes his mind up that he's going to swing, or he's not. I can't know what's he's thinking, obviously........but some of the pitches he swings at and as out in front as he gets on some pitches tends to make me feel that he doesn't see the ball and then swing...............he just makes up his mind he's going to swing, no matter what.

 

The most frustrating thing to me is his patience. I've seen far too many times, a guy walks in front of him......the pitcher's struggling to find control and Corey comes up swinging instead of making the pitcher throw strikes and putting himself in a better hitters count.

 

In the end, it's up to Corey to put the work in and do his job. His talent is something that I haven't heard many argue, but his mindset seems to be the problem. Probably the worst thing to happen to him was to hit so many HRs last year. He's looked like he's trying to hit 40 this year w/ the swings.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I think that Neifi is trying to hit home runs too much with his bail out left handed swing. His right handed swing is long too, he should stop trying to be a power hitter.

[CubfaninCA]

I like that they're giving Patterson another shot. He's the most talented of any of the guys who have been up recently. It seems his psyche was set back when Dusty agreed to lead him off, and Patterson failed miserably. Hopefully, he can get it going again.

 

For all the people who want Murton playing everyday and Hill pitching every 5th day, you should take Corey Patterson into consideration. Putting someone in situations where they can be successful, shouldn't be scoffed at. These guys are not robots.

[Mark_R]

Yes, Corey is having a terrible season. But considering his cost, potential, and desire to get better, bringing in a good coaching staff that understands what kind of ballplayer he is could really do wonders for Corey and the rest of the organization. If Hendry addresses that and the other positions, it wouldn't really hurt the club next season to start him in center and bat 7th.

 

Corey is making how much this season? How much is he expected to make next season? I wouldn't say he's been very cost efficient for the production. And I want to see that "potential" to start turning into an actuality.

 

I don't think that's being unrealistic.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I don't get the whole Corey fanboy thing. I mean, this guy sucks. He's become a laughingstock. An OBP below 270, an OPS below 600, a complete inability to do anything even resembling major league baseball performance, with the sole exception of some occasionally acceptable defensive play. Big deal, Joe McEwing can play defense too. I seem to recall Augie Ojeda had a nice glove as well. And both guys will take a first pitch now and then....

 

Patterson sucks, he makes nearly $3MM a year, and he's not even a prospect/kid anymore at 26 this offseason. Cut bait, indeed. Patterson stinks. Any other player, any other team, and everyone would be all over this underachieving zero. But here, there is still a sizable minority willing to give Patterson more chances and excuses than Carter has pills. I just don't get it.

[CubfaninCA]

I don't get the whole Corey fanboy thing. I mean, this guy sucks. He's become a laughingstock. An OBP below 270, an OPS below 600, a complete inability to do anything even resembling major league baseball performance, with the sole exception of some occasionally acceptable defensive play. Big deal, Joe McEwing can play defense too. I seem to recall Augie Ojeda had a nice glove as well. And both guys will take a first pitch now and then....

 

Patterson sucks, he makes nearly $3MM a year, and he's not even a prospect/kid anymore at 26 this offseason. Cut bait, indeed. Patterson stinks. Any other player, any other team, and everyone would be all over this underachieving zero. But here, there is still a sizable minority willing to give Patterson more chances and excuses than Carter has pills. I just don't get it.

 

Perhaps cause he had a .840 for half a year in 2003 before getting hurt and his .772 ops from last yr. would place him 11th amongst cf's this year, and ahead of baseball god, Carlos Beltran. Cf's aren't ops monsters and Patterson steals lots of bases. Something the Cubs don't do much of. Altogether, the guy probably needs a change of scenery. His current attitude is not good at all.