NorthsideAvenger

I don't understand why you think it's that simple. Corey did put the bat on the ball and did produce acceptable numbers before, and he could do it again, if he was used properly. The only reason spot in the order matters is because not only did they bat him in the spot, but they expected him to do things he could not do, and de-emphasized the things he could do. You can't judge Corey on 2005 alone, when he was truly awful. He was not always awful, or close to it. He has been as productive or more productive than other guys on this team that management apparantly loves. In 8 seasons with the Chicago Cubs organization, Corey Patterson had two and half seasons in which he did nothing (his first in A ball, and 2004, and 2003 being the half yr. Heck even his LONE good YEAR in 2004, he was still league average as a player. I do blame the Cubs for rushing him. Watching the Cubs rush Patterson and now Pie is like jumping out of a airplane without a parachute. You know what's going to happen, and you have no ability to change it. Cubs should deserves some of the blame, but to keep it simple EVERYBODY was at fault for the development of Corey Patterson, and I said EVERYBODY. I do think Corey may become a useful player in Baltimore, but he won't become the next Lou Brock, or Rafael Palmeiro, or heck even Eric Hinske.

Go over to wikipedia.com type in Ryne Sandberg and it's the last paragraph. :lol: . So WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES who thinks Joe Morgan is an idiot.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/suttebr01.shtml That's REALLY a tough choice. He has similar number with both teams. The Cubs gave him his start, and allow him to flourish as a closer (are we talking about the Cubs allowing someone to develop :-k ) but he did when the World Series with the Cards. And Sutter DID bring Durham to Chicago, for what it's worth. Opinion is, I REALLY hope Sutter goes in as a Cubs. Beisdes....wasn't it Sutter who gave up Ryno's two homerun is that EPIC game back in the early 80s?

If Harvey was "all that", don't you think he'd have progressed farther and faster by now, with improved numbers? I don't see anything encouraging from his 2005 performance, and he's still a long ways from the major leagues. He's yet another free swinging hacker. The kid has tons of power, but if he can't do better than this, where's the excitement? 2006 is make-or-break year for him. If he doesn't progress impressively, he's a bust. That seems to be a bit dire for someone who didn't turn 21 until the very end of the season at Low A. A .275/.335/.500 line isn't very unfeasible at all, and would be a fine line for a 21 year old at High A. He has shown no progress in plate discipline. The K's are exceedingly high. His speed, cannon arm, and power are exciting, but if he never learns how to get on base....his progression arc looks too much like some other Cub prospects who we will not name. Again, writing off Harvey--who is barely 21 YRS OLD---, and Grant Johnson---who has been in the system, what...1 or so yrs---is extremely short-sighted, and impatient. If they failed, so be it....but don't write them off, just because they haven't REACHED YOUR EXPECTATIONS by a certain age. I could live with Harvey/Dopirak/Pawelek,/Johnson/Pie all reaching the Cubs, and becoming impact players at 24 yrs of age or OLDER, if it meant they have the skills to become impact players and help the Cubs win a world championship.

Scott Boras (Weaver's agent) would beg to differ. He wouldn't let the Dodgers turn Dreifort into a closer, what makes you think he allow any team to turn (Dream) Weaver into a closeR?

And if he would ever figure out how to GET ON BASE, then his speed would become an asset. Until then, he wastes his speed.

When I posted, I didn't see anybody else had posted it. After it was posted, I saw someone beat me to to. So I put in "Forget this post" type message in my thread.

This is the KIND of deal I was expecting for Corey Patterson. Two things were for certain: 1: Hendry was not going to keep Corey Patterson at $3 mill to be a BACKUP OF. Corey is aloof enough as is....making him a backup OF would have been a useless. This means....Restovich has a LEGITIMATE shot at making the club. 2: The Cubs WERE NOT going to get anything worth get excited about. (remember Van Poppel, Brien Taylor were also former PHENOMS that were bums). The Cubs did alright, IMO, because they got two young player who COULD help the Cubs in a couple of yrs, which we couldn't say about Corey. Decent deal, if you thought about. Corey needed to go....because the BOO BIRDS would have been out and about in 2006. Oh yeah...he had to go because COREY PATTERSON---the baseball player---SUCKS.

Yeah, Restovich is the guy I was thinking of. If Hendry fails this year I think it's bye bye time. I don't. As mention in another thread, by I BELIEVE Bruce Miles, he believes Hendry is safe through 2008.

I understand it is Ken Davidoff of Newsday....but this is a very odd/disturbing statement that was made by the UNION'S COO. I understand the Union is powerful and all, but to make "threats", albeit vague threats. There spinning the statement, but nonetheless it is a "disturbing statement" made by a COO.

Yes. Not a good idea at the time or now. I'm sure Hendry would like this one back. I don't consider losing Hinske all that big. Besides the Cubs picked up a NICE role player in return with Chiasson who hit .285/.364/.374 for the Cubs in his 2nd stint with the org, before he was picked up off waivers by St. Louis. Miguel Cairo is not a bad player. In fact at this stage, I would almost would rather have Cairo then Hinske. .258 .335 .430 Hinske .270 .318 .364 Cairo Not a big lose at all. Beisdes going over at baseballreference.com, one of the MOST similar players to Hinske is WS 3rd Joe Crede, and he gets roasted for not being able to hit. It is safe say, that the Cubs org dodged a BIG bullet with hinske. Besides does anybody else remember Ryan Gripp, David Kelton, and Eric Hinske were ALL battling to see who would be the 3rd basemen of the future for the Cubs?

Look at who we gave up for those "kids", Mulholland and Hernandez. Not exactly world-beaters. So getting Q, Bowie and NATION, for those two baseball bums was more then what the Cubs could have hoped for.

I'm with you, but it's hard to see happening as long as the FBI is still patrolling the dugout. The FBI? Come on...get with the program. you know "FBI: FUNDAMENTAL BASEBALL are IGNORED?

And Kiley is STILL supporting the Perez is starting theory: http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-cub09.html For the love of baseball's god, if Hendry is SERIOUS about players needing to catch the ball better, then he knows that JHJ is a better fielder at 2B (his natural position) then Perez (who is out of position at 2B). I don't care much for Hairston, but if I had a choice between JHR and Perez at 2B, I'd go with JHR everyday, twice on Sunday. But I KNOW ](*,) who is the manager/babysitter of this team is.

mlbgminsider.blogspot.com Cubs Close To Trading Former Top Prospect O's had deal done till Nationals entered into talks I now what kind of website it is...so take it with a grain of salt. So let's play with the situation a bit: Drese/Watson for Patterson or Bass/Britton for Patterson?

I know it's a played out joke but.....can Branyan "catch the ball?" Otherwise, he isn't a target of Hendry's...

The problem with sayign Baker/Hendry are bad for the Cubs, is that the Cubs would seemingly find WORSE people for the manager/GM spots. Does anybody else NOT BELIEVE that the next GM/Manager tandem--should Baker/Hendry are let go--of your beloved Cubs would be MacPhail/Piniella? Or Wade/Mazzelli, or Malone/Hoffman. Or Lynch/Hargrove. You know the saying...the devil you know...

And the beat goes on...the beat goes on...

So if the Marlins were to ask you to trade either Prior or Z for Cabrera you would trade Z? I'd trade Prior. I'd tell 'em to "shut it"... I'd tell them to take their pick. I'd tell them to add Willis to Cabrera.

I wish this would just end already. And I'm sure Tejada would be happy about having to play a new position. If the Phillies get Tejada, maybe we could get them to trade us Rollins. :-k why would we want rollins? Cause the dude can catch the ball? :-s

Well seeing as EVERYBODY knew Patterson was gone when the season ended, the fact the Cubs are getting anything for him is surprising. I too, think if the Cubs get Majewski, it would be a fair deal. But Loewen/Markakis is WAY TO MUCH for Patterson. I'm thinking maybe it will Majewski or Erbe.

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't the Cubs SIGN JOHN MABRY for the role you describe? Eli Marrero? Not a bad NRI.

You might be right. But something to remember is they are about 2.5 years apart, and Barrett has been significantly better at the plate the past 2 seasons. Teams realize that catchers don't generally age gracefully, which could be a big reason why Molina hasn't gotten many bites. And while Barrett is signed for about 2/8, Molina could easily be looking for something like 3/15 in this market, which would make MB more attractive. Also, if you're trading Barrett, it makes more sense to use him in a package than just 1 for 1 and then sign Molina. That would be an offensive downgrade, and you should only make the moves if you could get a significant offensive upgrade elsewhere. But if you are going to trade Barrett, you WOULD have to find a solid replacement at catcher, or get ABOVE AVERAGE production at another position (say SS).

use 'em up and give 'em away for nothing. patterson will never be a star. Agreed. Patterson will never be a player that Cubs rue the day they got rid of. Now, I am not saying he won't be a good player....but at this stage, I would clearly take Greenberg, Bacon, or Fuld, as the starter in CF over Corey.

People who want Molina and trade Barrett needs to considers one LITTLE fact: If they market has dried up for Molina, you don't have to imagine the market for Barrett. If the Cubs signed Molina, they BEST the Cubs would get for Barrett is a DECENT prospect. Those two flaws is the reason why the Angels decline to offer arby to Molina, and arguably the reasons why he hasn't had to much interest as a FA. That is the reason why I would not sign Molina. We don't need to get slower, we don't don't need to become ANY more stationary the Cubs current are. Molina is a nice player, don't get me wrong, but I like the Barrett/Blanco combo.