[IowaRed]

I can't believe anybody here is surprised by these moves. They are Baker driven, these must be the guys we were told he would attract because he's a "player's" manager. If you think he's changing now concerning preference for veterans and not caring about OBP you are mistaken. Below are 2 BP mentions that I've copied from the ORG, concerning our 2 newest out machines. I really, really wish I could believe that Patterson was honestly being brought in to compete for a job and will not be taking AB's from younger players with higher ceilings but this is exactly the kind of player that Dusty dreams about at the top of his lineup. With a .298 career OBP, he won't be clogging up the bases, I never thought I would long for Norris Hopper.


Patterson was in the Cubs`--and especially Dusty Baker`s--doghouse after a disastrous 2005, which meant the Orioles were able buy low, for a change, picking him up for two players (Nate Spears and Carlos Perez) who turned in awful seasons for the Cubs` High-A team in Daytona. Patterson is a former favorite of scouts and statheads alike, but he turned out to be one of those players who, at age 20, was about as good as he was ever going to be. The idea that the average player improves through his twenties to age 27 is mistaken, as that trend really only applies to the average major leaguer. What distinguishes a typical major leaguer from a typical minor leaguer is the ability to learn and improve. Patterson doesn`t have that talent, but his basic skills are good enough to keep him in the majors for years to come. Just keep him away from left-handed pitchers"

"Acquired from the Cubs in the Phil Nevin bake sale, Hairston batted .206/.270/.253 between the two clubs. With his production plummeting like an elevator with a snapped cable, a career of similar longevity to his pop`s, Jerry Sr., seems increasingly unlikely. No speed, no power, no patience, no batting average, no defense, no point. Hairston was released after the season ended in order to make room for Mike Wood, an excellent indication of his current perceived value. Texas gave him a one-year contract to come back and try again"