Cubs/Angels Rumor - Patterson for Finley

[HoopsCubs]

This rumor was sent to me by a contact of mine in SoCal. Not one of my best sources, but I have known him for sometime.

 

If the Cubs sign Rafael Furcal to be their SS and lead-off man, Jim Hendry will turn away from Juan Pierre, and instead focus his efforts on dumping CF Corey Patterson onto an AL team in return for a bad, albeit short term contract, and a prospect.

 

Prime candidate: Los Angels Angels of Anaheim.

 

The target: Steve Finley, who is coming off an equally disastrous season, but has 1 year left at $7M, and some feel could easily get re-vitalized in Wrigley, a park he has recently hit extremely well in.

 

And while he may be 40 years old, he figures to be in great shape, with a great arm and hits left-handed, and is just one year removed from hitting 36 home runs as a member of the LA Dodgers and Arizona D-Backs in 2004.

 

He could play CF or RF for one season depending on Hendry's other OF moves. He would be on the bench in favor of Jerry Hairston when facing a left-hander.

 

Hendry may be considering this as a high risk/high return move.

 

Take it with a grain of salt. Haven't heard much about Corey lately, so my ears perked up a bit when I heard this.

[fearthecubs]

I am in favor of this.

[RynoRules]

That is very interesting. I dunno what to think. The Halos do have a very good farm system. I guess I could live w/ Patterson for Finley and an OF prospect.

[E.J.]

I know Patterson's trade value is at an all-time low right now, but I think we can do better than taking on Finley. He was horrible last year. I'd pass.

[LuvChicagoSports]

hmmm......can't say I would hate it. I cringe at the idea of Patterson exploding into a great player that his tools say he should be, but I just don't see it happening in Chicago.

[Omar]

The target: Steve Finley, who is coming off an equally disastrous season, but has 1 year left at $7M, and some feel could easily get re-vitalized in Wrigley, a park he has recently hit extremely well in.

 

Yeah, he hits well at Wrigley.. AGAINST the Cubs.

 

I have a gut feeling this isnt a good idea. I'd rather keep Patterson. He isnt 40, and I dont want another one of our players we see digress in another uniform because we werent patient.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

This is interesting. Both players were absolutely terrible LY. I would lean towards keeping Patterson.

[kroth1342]

This just doesn't make any sense to me - why would we take on Finley's $7 million contract just to rid ourselves of Patterson? Couldn't we just non-tender Patterson and acquire a cheaper CF (Milton Bradley, ex.)?

[E.J.]

Sorry about that - my browser was having trouble.

 

It's alright. We're all having problems. Gotta love the triple posts though. :lol:

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

Meh...I'll take Bradley. I would be suprised if JH would swing this deal.

[TheDude]

To be honest, I want to know what type of prospect is being discussed. If it is a position player with ML potential, then it might be worth considering.

[AramisRamirez]

forget finley,bradley is like 27 years old with a career .350 OBP. i want him pretty bad. i would put corey patterson in any deal for bradley. that way he can bat 2nd and walker can bat 5th. murton can switch to OF spots.

[wekse]

i'd rather watch patterson stink it up, no thanks.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

It's going to be a good prospect in that scenario.

[fearthecubs]

i'd rather watch patterson stink it up, no thanks.

 

He's only one year removed from a 38 HR campaign with a NL team.

[YearofDaCubs]

Patterson for Finley? I hope this is just a rumor because Finley is 56 years old and he didnt exactly tear it up lats year either.

[AC000000]

Just say no to Finley. This deal is so bad it has me seeing double. (triple?)

[YearofDaCubs]

i'd rather watch patterson stink it up, no thanks.

 

He's only one year removed from a 38 HR campaign with a NL team.

So what hes over 40. Amazing what contract years can do.

[Blueheart05]

Just say no to Finley. This deal is so bad it has me seeing double. (triple?)

 

Agreed! I don't want to see that fossil in a Cubs uniform.

[Diffusion]

That needs to be one good prospect they're throwing our way.

[abuck1220]

i'd rather have a crappy 25 year old than a crappy 45 year old.

 

and for those saying finley did well in 2004...i think patterson has a better chance of repeating 2003 than finley does of repeating 2004.

[wrigley23]

Am I the only one who really wants this guy even if we get Furcal? Two speedy lefties at the top of the order is just what this lineup needs.

[YearofDaCubs]

i'd rather have a crappy 25 year old than a crappy 45 year old.

 

and for those saying finley did well in 2004...i think patterson has a better chance of repeating 2003 than finley does of repeating 2004.

And I'm pretty sure Finley has a bad contract to add to that.

[Guest]

Put me in with the "no thanks" group. Given their respective ages, Patterson is far more likely to rebound from his terrible season than Finley. Throw in the fact that Finley will make about twice as much money, and I just don't see any motivation to make this deal if I'm Jim Hendry. (Unless, as Diffusion, points out, we get a good prospect out of the mix. Then again, I highly doubt a team with Anaheim's payroll would throw in a top-shelf minor leaguer just to save a few million bucks in a swap of down-on-their-luck outfielders.)

[Blueheart05]

Am I the only one who really wants this guy even if we get Furcal? Two speedy lefties at the top of the order is just what this lineup needs.

 

If that's all you want my vote is for Furcal in Pierre not Finley. :P

 

Welcome!