Brewers acquire CF Corey Patterson [Called up 9/4 - see reply 128ish]

[Funketown]

Let's just hope the slow guys who take walks don't clog up the bases for Corey.

 

Seriously, I don't see the harm as long as he never touches a major league diamond again. Which would seem to make this signing entirely pointless.

 

Oh well.

 

[RU Rah Rah]

It's depressing to consider the possibility (remote though it might be) of him wearing a Brewer uniform this year. If that happens, I might have to take a little respite from watching games on TV.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I don't care if Patterson goes to AAA and hits. 400 with a 1.350 OPS, his major league body of work is clear cut indicator that, well, quite frankly, he sucks.

[Team Canada]

Either Adam or TH noted that this basically is to replace Gillespie.

[cwolf2012]

"Recently released by the Nationals" = all you need to know.

 

Well, Jesus Colome has been awesome at AAA for us so far.

 

I have no problem with anyone on a minor league deal, and this is no different. Not like we have any other internal options that are particularly better if we decide to trade Cam anyway.

Jody Gerut is absolutely better than Patterson pretty much across the board. I guess Patterson has more power and more speed, but those are outweighed by defense, discipline, and better general hitting ability. If anyone here honestly believes that Gerut is not better than he has played so far for the Brewers, then I have to facepalm. Gerut was an awesome pickup, and I wouldn't be upset if he's our starting CF next year.

[yogallardo43]

I understand that Gerut has struggled thus far as a Brewers, but why do so many people hate him? He is a solid centerfielder that could possibly start for us next season. Other than this year, Gerut has been an above average center fielder throughout his career. He actually hits for some power, takes walks, and plays good defense. I just cringe every time I am at Miller Park and someone says "I can't believe we traded Tony Gwynn Jr for this guy." TGJ has no business getting consistent AB's in the majors. Gerut surely has struggled, but it is not easy to get two AB's a week off the bench.

[JohnBriggs12]

patterson could be no worse than Gerut

He not only could, he is.

[PeaveyFury]

Gerut was an awesome pickup, and I wouldn't be upset if he's our starting CF next year.

 

I agree that he's much, much better than he's shown so far, but I'm not entirely convinced that the Brewers will bring him back next year, FWIW.

[logan82]

PeaveyFury wrote:

I agree that he's much, much better than he's shown so far, but I'm not entirely convinced that the Brewers will bring him back next year, FWIW.

Why is that? He isn't a free agent after this year.

[PeaveyFury]

Why is that? He isn't a free agent after this year.

 

He seems like the type the might well decide to non-tender if they get in a salary pinch with whatever happens with the rotation.

[logan82]

If we are in a salary pinch because of Gerut, we are screwed next year. He is making $1.7775M this year. How much of a raise is he likely to get in arbitration? My guess is not much.

[PeaveyFury]

My point is that if they're looking to save money in any place, I'd think 4th or 5th OF is a pretty good bet for where they'll look first.

[Mr QL]

cwolf2012 wrote

---

Gerut was an awesome pickup, and I wouldn't be upset if he's our starting CF next year.

I would. If Gerut is our starting CF next year because that means we're not even trying to contend. I have to disagree about him being a good pick up too. He's basically dead weight right now.

[JJHardy7]

Either Adam or TH noted that this basically is to replace Gillespie.

 

I posted the same thing in this thread, but I think yuku ate it or something since I notice it's not here. It makes sense as long as he's in AAA. Who gets the call up if we need another OF? Let's say Hall, Cat, or Gerut gets hurt (I don't want to think about the other two) and we need another OF. Does Katin get the call?

[kramnoj]

The Hurricane has played 70+ games in the OF, so I would think he could become part of the OF solution.

 

Calling up Katin would require someone to be released from the 40 man. May not be that big of a deal as some probably won't make it to next year anyway.

[monty57]

My point is that if they're looking to save money in any place, I'd think 4th or 5th OF is a pretty good bet for where they'll look first.

Maybe, but if we don't bring Cameron back, which I feel is unlikely, and Cain isn't ready, which I feel is likley, then Gerut won't be shooting for a 4/5 spot... he'll be our starting CF. Right now, our choices are Gerut, Bourgeios, Cain and Patterson. Unlike the rest of them, Gerut has had success at the major league level, so I'd say he's the leading horse at this point. Cain is most likely our long-term solution there, but at this point, I'd keep Gerut for a season at $2MM so that Cain can get a little more "seasoning" in the minors.

 

For those saying he's no good, look beyond this year's numbers. He had a .845 OPS last year in San Diego's pitchers' park, and is a career .763 OPS player. That's right around where Jacoby Ellsbury (.771) and Grady Sizemore (.764) are sitting this year. He was hurt, so he missed a couple of seasons, but he appears to be back to full speed now. Most players don't play as well, either at the plate or in the field, when they don't get regular playing time. I think we'd be fine letting Gerut play CF for us next year, making sure Cain is ready to go before handing him the keys.

The only way I see them letting Gerut go is if Melvin & Co are pretty certain that Cain will put up similar or better numbers than Gerut for league minimum. I'm conservative in that regard, so I'd prefer to go with the more proven commodity, as long as it's not too expensive.

[MarquesJohnson2000]

"Speed don't slump" - Dusty Baker

[JJHardy7]

The Hurricane has played 70+ games in the OF, so I would think he could become part of the OF solution.

 

Yea, but that's a tiny portion of his career games. I agree he'd be in the mix, but when Kremblas was the manager everyone pretty much took some time in the outfield.

 

Calling up Katin would require someone to be released from the 40 man. May not be that big of a deal as some probably won't make it to next year anyway.

 

That's a good point. I forgot Vargas was the 40th spot.

[sheetskout]

patterson could be no worse than Gerut

True. I, for one, am actually encouraged by this signing.

[zzzmanwitz]

Patterson was 3 for 4 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs starting in CF today. 11 for 24 in 6 games.

 

He's always had great talent. Who knows? Its VERY early, but maybe DM found a nice little gem here to be a stop gap for a year until Cain is really ready. Crazier things have happened.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

GJ has no business getting consistent AB's in the majors.

Stuff like this is just silly. TGJ is no world-beater, but he has proven that he can play major league ball. He's a formidable leadoff hitter on a mediocre team and a nice option off the bench. He absolutely has business getting ABs in the majors and I wish him the best. He was never going to get a shot in Milwaukee, and I don't feel like the Brewers ever really gave him an honest chance.

 

He's not spectacular, but to say a guy that will likely end the season with 400 ABs and hit close to .300 has "no business" in the majors is just silly. It's not like he's Bill Hall at the plate.

 

As overdone as the Gerut hate is, the hate for TGJ when he was in Milwaukee was just as bad.

[nate82]

He's always had great talent. Who knows? Its VERY early, but maybe DM found a nice little gem here to be a stop gap for a year until Cain is really ready. Crazier things have happened.

Like Podsednik and Brady Clark coming out of nowhere kind of crazier things happening?

[JohnBriggs12]

Patterson's career AAA numbers (.276/.327/.432) have never come close to his perceived talent level so let's see how he does over a more extended period before we hand him the Brewer CF job in 2010.

 

Best case is he'd make an adequate cheap CF platoon guy.

[sheethead]

GJ has no business getting consistent AB's in the majors.

 

Tell the Brewers and his 6-13, 4 R against them that.

[joepepsi]

Patterson is horrible.