The Next Corey Patterson

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Dec 21, 2005 4:00PM

Chicagoist is scratching our heads this morning at Jim Hendry's latest signing. Looking to replace Jeromy Burnitz in right field, he signed former Twins outfielder Jacque Jones to a 3-year, $16 million deal.

Yet Jones doesn't seem to be very different from another left-handed hitting outfielder who's being pushed out the door by Hendry -- Corey Patterson. The Trib calls Jones, "a high-risk, high-reward player who showed great potential early in Minnesota before tailing off at the plate the last two seasons."

The scouting reports on ESPN.com also sound amazingly familiar. Jacque Jones "tends to swing at virtually anything near the dish early in the count. He will get himself in a hole and his at-bats will last a matter of seconds."

Meanwhile, Corey Patterson's, "problems are a lack of patience, poor command of the strike zone and a stubborn streak that can serve him well or hold him back. Patterson is a free swinger who will jump on anything that looks good to him early in the count."

The Trib also points out, "Like Corey Patterson, whose exit probably was sealed with the signing, Jones is renowned for striking out frequently and is ineffective against left-handed pitching, batting .201 against lefties in 2005."

Over their careers, Patterson has struck out in 25% of his at-bats while Jones has struck out 21% of the time.

Their production is similar as well. Here's their season averages:

So how, exactly, does Jim Hendry think that adding Jones and dumping Patterson is upgrading the Cubs? Especially when considering the added cost for Jones? He really needs to watch what the GM on the other side of town is doing. He might learn a thing or two.