Corey Patterson

by jomfa on Oct 11, 2007 12:13 PM EDT Comment 12 comments

Since 2004, Patterson's strike-outs have gone 168, 118, 94 and 65. Honestly, his OBP is still nothing to write home about being .320, .254, .314 and .304 - but probably have to keep in mind that his last season in Chicago (2005) was aberrant. His average went .266, .215, .276 and .269 and while not hitting for much power (SLG .452, .348, .443 and .386), the guy would make a good lead-off man who can steal lots of bases (32, 15, 45 and 37 and hasn't been caught more than 9 times in any season). By the way, he hit lefties .310 last year.

His defense is very good as well - hasn't had more than 5 errors in a season and carries a career fielding percentage of .987. Considering he played for an arbitrated $4.3 million one-year contract last year, it looks as though he would be a cheap option (he wanted $4.6 million, but the Orioles only wanted to give him $4 million).

I don't suggest any other moves for the team to accommodate a player like Patterson nor do I suggest any length of contract. I simply think he's a free agent outfielder which is young, approaching his prime and has been improving each season - yet still would cost little. As such, I wonder what other people think about this guy as a player for the Cardinals. What impacts would it have on the team and do you think he'd be successful? If not, why? I'm not married to the idea of this player, but am curious about him.

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i could see that

he is a pretty good player. the only thing is he is a left handed hitter and i think the cardinals would want a right handed hitting of.

HURRY BACK CARP AND MULDER

by LaRussa4President on Oct 11, 2007 12:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

With a lousy OBP

The guy does not make a good leadoff hitter. Yeah he's fast, but to be a useful leadoff guy you have to get on base (see Juan Pierre) and Patterson doesn't do that.

I see what you're saying on this one, I just don't think that Patterson is a good choice.

by redbirdnation8206 on Oct 11, 2007 12:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

OBP

Part of the observance of this player though was to project someone who is a little under the radar, cheap (in comparison) and possibly on the cusp of a breakout season. Patterson does appear to be trending positively in some important categories and at this age and with a new ball-club (and different players hitting in front of him), there's a possibility (just a "possibility") he'll perform above his past numbers. After all, isn't that what everyone wants to see in an acquisition? I wouldn't look at just his past performance, but consider the amount of potential he has to outperform those stats. Age and progress play a role in that - to an extent - I think.

by jomfa on Oct 11, 2007 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trending positively?

He cut his K rate by 33% last year, sure...but his HRs fell in half, and his rate stats all dropped, dragging his OPS all the way down to .690. That's not good. I'd say overall, 2007 was a far worse year than 2006 for the poor guy.

I think we'd do much better to target a few different guys that appear to be spare parts or guys that still are young enough to turn it around. I'd make a strong push for Carlos Quentin, who appears to be getting squeezed out in AZ. Ryan Church in WAS also comes to mind. Or Jeremy Reed, wherever he is - great defense, used to have great OBP skills, and could still pan out into league average.

by siddfynch on Oct 11, 2007 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto

not too interested in Patterson. His K rates have dropped, but his rate stats are still below-average (.690 OPS last year). He'll be 29 when he finishes next year's season, so he's no longer a spring chicken.

For comparison, Rick Ankiel is the same age and has the same main Achilles heel - OBP. But Rick offers tremendously more SLG upside, at a much cheaper price, and plays the same position(s). Patterson is unlikely to improve much in the future; even if Rick does not (one can argue that he stil has upside), his current performance makes him an upgrade over Patterson.

I'd rather save the money from Patterson and spend it on a high OBP guy that can hit in front of Albert.

by siddfynch on Oct 11, 2007 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

in all fairness,

he could probably outproduce eck
not like he was an OBP machine
and he can run

we seem to have the outfield covered

RESIGN JIMMY BALLGAME....HE SHOULD RETIRE A REDBIRD!

by benstl on Oct 13, 2007 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hope

I guess we don't have to settle for $4.5 million guys, but I was thinking we were looking for cheap(er) players and didn't think we could find a #3 hitter for $4.5 million. I'd still reiterate my lack of attachment to Patterson, but being a person who'd like to see more team speed on the basepaths, thought he might be worth the small investment. If we have loads of money to cover starting pitching, short stop and still have money for a platoon CF (with Edmonds playing more and more part time) which can hit #3 in our lineup, then sounds good.

by jomfa on Oct 11, 2007 1:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

#3 hitter

Do we not have Albert hitting #3 anymore?

It's not the #3 hitter you should be worried about, more the 2 and 4 hitters.

Oh how wonderful it will be when the offseason comes. Lets sign some guys and get back to respectability in the NL Central!

by yer dog first on Oct 11, 2007 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Patterson...

... has been a tremendous disappointment. i've expected him to "break out" every year since '03 or so. i fully expected him to grow as a player in Baltimore, but he basically did nothing but get back the the '03 and '04 levels of production (before stepping back last year).

i would expect his OPS to increase this year if he can continue to keep his K's low. but it still looks like he's a .320 OBP guy in the best of times, which doesn't make him much better than Schu. no point in pissing away $4-5mn on that.

i really don't think that OF is the primary concern. we can make due with the guys we've got, and we've got back-ups (like J-Rod) in AAA who can do a competent job if somebody goes down. if we are going to get another OF, i'd prefer to see a RH hitter who can mash LH pitchers, to platoon with Duncan/Edmonds. otherwise, let's focus on a SS and pitching.

by kindred on Oct 11, 2007 3:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this guy's name caught my eye too

what i like:

he's young enough (27) to still have some upside ---- he's the same age as ankiel, only a year older than duncan, younger than schumaker and ludwick.
he has speed --- i agree w/ you that this team desperately needs to add speed
he's good enough defensively to play centerfield at a league-avg level.

if you could count on even a .330 on-base percentage out of the guy, he'd be a league-average player. but you can't count on that. . . . .

that doesn't mean it's hopeless, though. he is still young enough to break out. the odds are against it . . . . if he were available for 4th-outfielder money (ie, $2m a year), i'd jump at it. but that isn't going to happen. . . . .

by lboros on Oct 11, 2007 10:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thank you

for the comments - I suppose it is risky as to whether the guy could up his OBP in our lineup, but stranger things have happened (I remember when everyone thought Duncan and Ankiel would be horrible). The biggest reason why this won't happen is probably more because your last comment about the amount of money he'll want. Without a contract, whether he would break out in our lineup becomes a moot point. I would love to have his speed though.

Are there any other possibilities the Cardinals could bring in some speed? They really need it!

by jomfa on Oct 12, 2007 7:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Patterson

He's a poor man's Juan Pierre. Honestly, is this guy any better than Skip Schumaker? Could Colby Rasmus jump from AA to the majors and do better?

As a 4th or 5th outfielder, maybe you give this guy a shot, but only if you can get him for less than $2MM. Personally, I think the money would be better spent elsewhere.

How about handin' me another helpin' of those mashed taters...thank you very much!

by Elvis on Oct 12, 2007 12:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs