Patterson released by Nats

[Twoniner]

  Looks like he had been battered around pretty good this spring, and the Nationals cut bait.  Anyone have a chance to watch him or hear how he looked?   

[das]

  Looks like he had been battered around pretty good this spring, and the Nationals cut bait.  Anyone have a chance to watch him or hear how he looked?   

Wow.  He was talking yesterday about the honor of possibly being the opening day starter.  But, then again, so was Redding.

Did not see Patterson.  Redding has looked very good except for the start in Kissimee.

[Lefty]

Patterson's velocity, though, was noticeably down in his last two spring outings. Club officials, however, continued to say that tehy believed it would return as Patterson built arm strength.

Thoughts from Patterson:

*On the reasons he was given for the release: "I think I wasn't progressing as fast as they wanted. They weren't seeing what they wanted to be seeing from me. For me to [ potentially] be not 100 percent -- it was a risk they weren't willing to take."

*On whether he's hurt: "I'm not hurt. I just think I didn't progress as fast as they wanted."

*Patterson also said it didn't help his case that Mark Lerner witnessed his most recent start Sunday in Fort Lauderdale against the Orioles, an admittedly rocky performance. "I pitched pretty well my [previous] two starts," Patterson said. "But he didn't see those."

*He also said he was "caught in between" Manager Manny Acta's desire for him "to get outs" and GM Jim Bowden's desire for him to throw more fastballs.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2008/03/breaking_news_john_patterson_r.html?hpid=moreheadlines

He's from the Golden Triangle, think he'd accept a deal in RR?

Also, who were the other Boras-bonus-babies he loopholed into free agency?  Matt White was one, I think.  They got paid, but iirc none of their careers have really panned out so far.

[pravata]

the dreaded "based on the pitcher's lack of performance".  He signed a one year contract in December so the Nationals might not be paying him. 

[pots]

Well we are in Viera tonight.  Destiny?

[I'm Richies Dad]

Man, me thinks they need to take a chance on him.  What do you have to loose?

[MusicMan]

Man, me thinks they need to take a chance on him.  What do you have to loose?

Take a chance on me

[Gizzmonic]

Man, me thinks they need to take a chance on him.  What do you have to loose?

Personally, I suggest you loose the fetters of societal mores!  Let go of your inhibitions and dress like a Geisha girl!  You know you want to.

[pravata]

"We'll take a look at it and see if anything makes sense," Astros general manager Ed Wade said.
http://blogs.chron.com/astrosblog/2008/03/astros_may_have_interest_in_pa.html

[pravata]

General manager Ed Wade confirmed the Astros have been in contact with Patterson's representative, Alan Hendricks.

"[Assistant GM] David [Gottfried] talked to him [Friday] morning and told him if he indeed clears waivers, then we would have interest in talking about doing something with a Triple-A deal," Wade said.

"If he clears waivers, John and I will talk about what we do next," Hendricks said. "Anyone can claim him. If someone claims him, we'll probably accept that claim."
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080321&content_id=2448894&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

[pots]

So basically if someone claims him they have to keep him on the 25 man for the season or send him back to waivers.   Is their an option to put him on the DL to start the season?

And I would assume they would have to cover his original 800k contract (or at least the rest of it)

[Reuben]

So basically if someone claims him they have to keep him on the 25 man for the season or send him back to waivers.   Is their an option to put him on the DL to start the season?

And I would assume they would have to cover his original 800k contract (or at least the rest of it)

If they're talking about a "AAA deal", that's not the 25-man. As for salary, I believe they are only interested in signing him- which means wait until (if) he clears waivers.

Speaking of rehabbing, formerly good pitchers, anybody heard anything on Freddy Garcia lately?

[JimR]

Yes. My scout friend said Garcia is done.

[Mr. Happy]

Yes. My scout friend said Garcia is done.

Is Garcia in camp with anyone? mlb.com reflects no team affiliation for him.

[JimR]

No

[I'm Richies Dad]

Man, that's too bad about Freddy. 

[hostros7]

patterson can be dirty if healthy.  i'd love to take a flier on him....way before garcia

[pots]

If they're talking about a "AAA deal", that's not the 25-man. As for salary, I believe they are only interested in signing him- which means wait until (if) he clears waivers.

Speaking of rehabbing, formerly good pitchers, anybody heard anything on Freddy Garcia lately?

I said, so basically if someone "CLAIMS HIM" they would have to keep him on the 25.  And was inquiring about using the DL to give him time to rehab.  Cause if you can use the DL for the rehab, I doubt he clears waivers.  If claiming him means he is pitching for you at the start of April whether you like it or not, then I could definitely see him slide through.


I'm aware of what the Astros want. 

[legs_of_eggs]

I said, so basically if someone "CLAIMS HIM" they would have to keep him on the 25.  And was inquiring about using the DL to give him time to rehab.  Cause if you can use the DL for the rehab, I doubt he clears waivers.  If claiming him means he is pitching for you at the start of April whether you like it or not, then I could definitely see him slide through.


I'm aware of what the Astros want. 

If your so sure he'll be claimed then that assumes interest and if that's the case he would've been traded not outright released

[HudsonHawk]

So basically if someone claims him they have to keep him on the 25 man for the season or send him back to waivers. 

No.  That is only for players chosen in the Rule 5 draft.  Players picked up on waivers are not required to stay on the 25-man.  However, they are still subject to the other rules regarding assignment of their contract (options, service time, etc).

 Is their an option to put him on the DL to start the season?

Sure, if he's injured.

And I would assume they would have to cover his original 800k contract (or at least the rest of it)

The Nats have to pay him termination pay, which at this point is 45 days pay, approximately 25% of his salary.  If he clears waivers, he's a free agent and can negotiate any salary he wants with any team. 

[pots]

If your so sure he'll be claimed then that assumes interest and if that's the case he would've been traded not outright released

I must be failing to use the english language correctly.  I'm just trying to grasp exactly what claiming Patterson would mean to a team that claims him. 

I was guessing, that claiming him would require a spot on the 25.  Which I believe HH confirmed because he is not currently signed to a minor league deal and he is out of options.  And the salary 600k for the year, which HH confirmed a well. 

So then it somes down to the DL.  He had offseason surgery. 
I could see a team claiming that he needs more rehab time and wanting to use the DL.  But at the same time Patterson claims full health so given HH's statement: "Sure, if he's injured.", a team cannot use the DL to give Patterson 3-4 more starts in the minors.



 

[HudsonHawk]

So then it somes down to the DL.  He had offseason surgery. 
I could see a team claiming that he needs more rehab time and wanting to use the DL.  But at the same time Patterson claims full health so given HH's statement: "Sure, if he's injured.", a team cannot use the DL to give Patterson 3-4 more starts in the minors.

To go on the DL, the player must have a legitmate injury, forms filled out by the club physician, and approved by MLB.  As for using the minors for rehabbing from the DL, the rules say that a play cannot go on rehab assignment in the minors until he's "ready to play".  Which means it'd be awfully hard to claim he's so injured he needs to go on the DL then immediately turn around and have him playing in the minors. 

[pots]

To go on the DL, the player must have a legitmate injury, forms filled out by the club physician, and approved by MLB.  As for using the minors for rehabbing from the DL, the rules say that a play cannot go on rehab assignment in the minors until he's "ready to play".  Which means it'd be awfully hard to claim he's so injured he needs to go on the DL then immediately turn around and have him playing in the minors. 

Cool, then I would expect Patterson will be a free agent soon. 

[pots]

Sounds good...

"He actually reached out to us (Thursday) to let us know that if it involved John having to take a Triple-AAA situation there would be some attraction because he's from Orange, Texas," Wade said.

[SaltyParker]

The Nats have to pay him termination pay, which at this point is 45 days pay, approximately 25% of his salary.  If he clears waivers, he's a free agent and can negotiate any salary he wants with any team. 

So what if he (anyone) is claimed off waivers. Is the team that claims said player liable for the other 75% of his existing contract, or how does that work?

[pravata]

Sounds good...

"He actually reached out to us (Thursday) to let us know that if it involved John having to take a Triple-AAA situation there would be some attraction because he's from Orange, Texas," Wade said.

Likely the Astros will have an opportunity,

Pitcher John Patterson, released by the Nationals, is not on the Rockies' radar. While the Rockies have liked him in the past, general manager Dan O'Dowd said he had concerns about Patterson's health.
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_8655038

Taking a pass: Assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and Mike Arbuckle both said the Phillies likely aren't interested in right-hander John Patterson, … It appears that Patterson,…may sign a minor-league deal with the Astros.
"The way he's been throwing, he hasn't shown very much velocity," Arbuckle said by phone.
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080322/SPORTS01/803220356/1002

[Mr. Happy]

Patterson sounds like a long-term reclamation project.

[I'm Richies Dad]

I don't see the downside even if his a reclamation project.

[Mr. Happy]

I don't see the downside even if his a reclamation project.

I didn't say that there was a downside. I'm told by a neurosurgeon friend of mine that nerve damage surgery has a spotty recovery rate as far as velocity goes.

[Twoniner]

  If yall have the MLB.com service where you can watch games online they have Patterson's start on March 16th vs. the Orioles regulars.  No radar gun, but he looked a lot like the first few starts I watched him last year.  Velocity way down, but curve and control weren't all bad.   I hope the Astros can pick him up.  He had good enough control a few years back that I think that he might be usefull with even if the velocity doesn't come all the way back.   

[OregonStrosFan]

MLB.com is reporting that Patterson has cleared waivers and that he "will entertain offers from other clubs, including the Astros."  LINK

Patterson's agent, Alan Hendricks, said on Saturday that he was planning to speak with the Astros, who are interested in signing Patterson to a Minor League contract.  Patterson appears to have interest in the Astros, who are located near his hometown of Orange, Texas.  "That's a nice piece of it, but the decision will be based on the best professional decision for John," Hendricks said.

[I'm Richies Dad]

According to Jamey Newberg of the Newberg Report, the Rangers are gonna sign John Patterson.  Bummer.

According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, Texas is on the verge of signing
injured righthander John Patterson to a minor league contract, days after
the 30-year-old was released by Washington.  Patterson, a native of Orange,
Texas, missed the final five months of the 2007 season after missing the
second half of the 2006 season with nerve problems in his forearm.

[JaneDoe]

According to Jamey Newberg of the Newberg Report, the Rangers are gonna sign John Patterson.  Bummer.

According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, Texas is on the verge of signing
injured righthander John Patterson to a minor league contract, days after
the 30-year-old was released by Washington.  Patterson, a native of Orange,
Texas, missed the final five months of the 2007 season after missing the
second half of the 2006 season with nerve problems in his forearm.

Confirmation on the Rangers' site  http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080323&content_id=2454090&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

[JimR]

shoot, i thought we were a cinch to get him.

[Gizzmonic]

Well, if anyone's more desperate for pitching, it's got to be the stRangers...

shoot, i thought we were a cinch to get him.

[Taras Bulba]

Well, if anyone's more desperate for pitching, it's got to be the stRangers...

More than Houston?  There could be a host of reasons that Patterson went with the Rangers over the Astros.  Maybe the picture of a shaky Houston staff is being oversold.  Or, maybe the Rangers gave Patterson assurances of promotion that Wade wouldn't.     

[pravata]

Patterson decided to sign with Texas partly because Rangers pitching coach Mark Connor was with Arizona when Patterson signed with the Diamondbacks.
http://www.star-telegram.com/284/story/544041.html

[Taras Bulba]

Patterson decided to sign with Texas partly because Rangers pitching coach Mark Connor was with Arizona when Patterson signed with the Diamondbacks.
http://www.star-telegram.com/284/story/544041.html

Well, there you have it.  The outlet stores in Grapevine were a big pull, too.

[Mr. Happy]

Well, if anyone's more desperate for pitching, it's got to be the stRangers...

The stRangers are working out finished Everyday Eddie Guardado in the minor leagues.

[Uncle Charlie]

Well, there you have it.  The outlet stores in Grapevine were a big pull, too.

Obviously another case of the Astros Brass not doing their job.  Cypress has a brand new oulet center opening this weekend.  Geez.  Pallilo will be all over this one.

[Kent's Moustache]

Well, if anyone's more desperate for pitching, it's got to be the stRangers...

A dumbass comment.

First, the Astros gave Chan Ho Park a test drive in AAA last season.  Chan.  Ho.  Out of the Park.

Second, the Rangers rotation to open the season is Millwood, Padilla, Jennings, Gabbard, and Mendoza.  They've also got McCarthy on the DL and a host of very good prospects in the upper levels of their farm (e.g., Hurley and Harrison).  As an Astros fan and casual Rangers observer, I'd sacrifice a Clark to the BBGs to have the Rangers "desperate" pitching situation.

[Reuben]

A dumbass comment.

First, the Astros gave Chan Ho Park a test drive in AAA last season.  Chan.  Ho.  Out of the Park.

Second, the Rangers rotation to open the season is Millwood, Padilla, Jennings, Gabbard, and Mendoza.  They've also got McCarthy on the DL and a host of very good prospects in the upper levels of their farm (e.g., Hurley and Harrison).  As an Astros fan and casual Rangers observer, I'd sacrifice a Clark to the BBGs to have the Rangers "desperate" pitching situation.

Wow, a bit touchy about the Rangers, eh? While they don't seem to be the worst-off team in MLB, starter-wise, I wouldn't exactly call that rotation a juggernaut either. And I can't think of many #1's whom I'd rank lower than Milwood.

[Lefty]

Wow, a bit touchy about the Rangers, eh?

No kidding.  Their rotation looks like 3 questionable veterans, all with era's over 5 last year, & 2 unproven talented youngsters.

Park's still in camp with the Dodgers, 'Stache, where do they rank on your desperation scale?

[MusicMan]

A dumbass comment.

First, the Astros gave Chan Ho Park a test drive in AAA last season.  Chan.  Ho.  Out of the Park.

Second, the Rangers rotation to open the season is Millwood, Padilla, Jennings, Gabbard, and Mendoza.  They've also got McCarthy on the DL and a host of very good prospects in the upper levels of their farm (e.g., Hurley and Harrison).  As an Astros fan and casual Rangers observer, I'd sacrifice a Clark to the BBGs to have the Rangers "desperate" pitching situation.

The Astros' questionable rotation is far, far superior to that collection of crap.  Kevin Millwood, #1, or Roy Oswalt?

[BudGirl]

Well, there you have it.  The outlet stores in Grapevine were a big pull, too.

There is a new outlet mall in Cypress opening next weekend.  122 stores.

[Taras Bulba]

There is a new outlet mall in Cypress opening next weekend.  122 stores.

The Hendricks brothers have obviously conspired to keep this from Patterson.  They're devious bastards.

[Kent's Moustache]

The Astros' questionable rotation is far, far superior to that collection of crap.  Kevin Millwood, #1, or Roy Oswalt?

This is the fallacy that prompted my previous post.  It appears that many Astros fans are content to roll out a dominant ace and a series of huge question marks thereafter, which makes absolutely no sense.  Roy is as good as there is in baseball, but he's only going to factor into approximately 30 games in '08.

Those other 130 or so games are going to be, in large part, in the hands of Backe, Woody, Wandy, and God knows who else.  How anyone can pretend to have more confidence in the Astros projected rotation than the Rangers' in '08 is absolutely beyond me.

I'm not "touchy" about anything.  I just don't have much patience for self-delusion.

[MusicMan]

4 question marks > 5 question marks.

[otterjb]

There is a new outlet mall in Cypress opening next weekend.  122 stores.

Nice.

But does it have one of these?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ3oHpup-pk

[Jacksonian]

4 question marks > 5 question marks.

Millwood's not a question mark.  He's no #1, but he's no question mark.  The Rangers aren't looking good in their rotation, but as Kent points out they've got more more talented depth.

I am very concerned for the Astros rotation after Roy.

[BudGirl]

Nice.

But does it have one of these?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ3oHpup-pk

His eyes scare me.  And I hope not.

[JackAstro]

Those other 130 or so games are going to be, in large part, in the hands of Backe, Woody, Wandy, and God knows who else.

In the interests of accuracy, they're in the hands of Backe, Wandy, Chacon and God knows who else, as of right now.

[otterjb]

In the interests of accuracy, they're in the hands of Backe, Wandy, Chacon and God knows who else, as of right now.

And the goal, I'm thinkin', is to allow less than five runs per nine innings, possibly around 4, while throwing a good amount of innings. Let the offense, bullpen and defense do the rest.

[Jacksonian]

And the goal, I'm thinkin', is to allow less than five runs per nine innings, possibly around 4, while throwing a good amount of innings. Let the offense, bullpen and defense do the rest.

So the 2-5 starters would have a combined ERA of about 4?  Yeah I bet the Astros would take that.  I fear a combined ERA of 5+.  Too the Astros bullpen isn't filled with a bunch of jugernauts.

[chuck]

So the 2-5 starters would have a combined ERA of about 4?  Yeah I bet the Astros would take that.  I fear a combined ERA of 5+.  Too the Astros bullpen isn't filled with a bunch of jugernauts.

I'm hoping that 2-5 will throw six and allow four. That's an ERA of 6, and I'll take it.