John Patterson

by jtts on Mar 20, 2008 3:26 PM CDT

Released by the Nationals.

He lost the last two years to injuries after a really nice 2005. Now 30, he's lost a chunk of velocity and isn't likely to ever regain his past form.

cribbed from rotoworld:
"Nationals released RHP John Patterson.
Stunning. Obviously the Nationals shared the same concerns about Patterson's lack of velocity that we did, but he still looked like their probable Opening Day starter and they'll only save about $600,000 by cutting him. They're left with a rotation of Shawn Hill, Jason Bergmann, Tim Redding, Odalis Perez and either Matt Chico or John Lannan. They'll probably need both young lefties initially with Hill likely to open up on the DL."

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That is stunning

Patterson is a good talent, but he's just suffered too many injuries to have much success in the Majors. He had one good year where he was injury free in 2005, when he thre 198 innings and went 9-7 for the Nats, but since then he's started a grand total of 15 games over the last two years.

I hope he gets picked up by another team - I always kinda liked him since I had him on a fantasy team back in 2006. But he's not a guy I'd want to see the Rangers go after.

A Lonestar in California

by LSJ on Mar 20, 2008 5:27 PM CDT reply actions

Wow

that is one terrible rotation

by rchawk12 on Mar 20, 2008 5:59 PM CDT reply actions

ummm

patterson>>>>>>>>ponson

by knockoutking24 on Mar 20, 2008 9:46 PM CDT reply actions

patterson

is not the same player he once was, and almost certainly never will be. i wouldn't mind having him in our OKC rotation, but this guy was topping out at 86 mph this spring.

by clark on Mar 20, 2008 9:58 PM CDT reply actions

Jason Jennings

is already on the roster.

Next track for OC, et al:

Del tha Funkee Homosapien - Catch A Bad One

by inactive lsb user on Mar 21, 2008 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Bullpen

On other sites, like BTF, there is talk that some team will scoop him up with a minor league deal. It seems like you would stand a better chance of getting Patterson if you came to an agreement that you would give him a major league deal, but he would have to start in the bullpen. The Nats cite his loss in velocity as the main reason why they let him go. Even with a lower velocity, you can fool a hitter or two, which makes him a good fit for the bullpen. A reader at BTF had this to say about Patterson:

I watched his last start and he didn't look great but he is definitely worth a flyer. In the first two innings, he got 5 swings and misses out of 25 pitches and froze a hitter or two with that good curve of his.

Should Patterson get his velocity back, he could then slide over to the rotation. He also has a pretty serious injury history, and starting him in the bullpen would keep his workload down. It seems like he would be a good fit for the Tigers. There are questions about their bullpen to start the season. There are also concerns if Rogers and Bonderman can stay healthy all year (they did in '06, but not in '07). In a perfect world, Patterson would help the bullpen until Rodney and Zumaya return. And then fill in for Rogers/Bonderman.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Mar 21, 2008 10:07 AM CDT reply actions