Corey Patterson's new uni...

[RBi]

Here it is folks..

HOT off the press!



I am just wondering how ya'll feel about this one..

I personally think the O's might have gotten a great deal here...

He can be something... just needs a fresh start..

Like Latroy Hawkins.... hey the O's got him too..

HEHE

[J W]

It depends on how the minor leaguers who were sent to the Cubs turn out:

Article from Sporstline

Here's who we got...

CF Corey Patterson

a) He is a lefty who plays CF. This means the Orioles can platoon Patterson and Matos, and give each extra ABs playing corner OF where they need players who can cover more ground there. Actually it wouldn't surprise me if Matos continues to start most games at center while Patterson is moved over to left field.

b) He gives us more speed on the basepaths and will likely steal bases at about a 75% success rate. This sort of thing would never be my focus but I'd always consider it a nice bonus if I'd get it.

c) He's only 25. Theoretically he'd be entering the prime of his career... but as you can see last year was terrible for him. Is he a victim of quitting steroids? No clue, so we have to assume no. So, there's a decent chance his best years are ahead of him.

d) In 2004 he put up a nice year, if not spectacular, including 168 hits and 33 doubles. Unfortunately his horrible OBP and BB/K ratio exclude him from becoming our leadoff hitter (which would be great because Roberts-Mora-Tejada would go 2-3-4)... but I suppose we're fine going B-R-R and finding a lefty for cleanup (which right now I guess would be Gibbons). Patterson, if he can get his bat back, would make a playable #6 hitter for us... and if Luis Matos or someone can take over leadoff, Patterson would look a lot better in the 7-slot.

Here's who we gave up...

SS Nate Spears
LHP Carlos Perez

I don't know much about these two. Here's what the article says:

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.

I don't think either of these players were 40-man material. In which case, I like this trade. Like so many have said, the team needed to take a chance. I wish they could've gotten Burnitz as well... then their OF would be workable next season.