PATTERSON PAWNED OFF ON ORIOLES
The Baltimore Orioles acquired outfielder Corey Patterson from the Chicago Cubs for minor-league shortstop Nate Spears and minor-league pitcher Carlos Perez.
What does it give the Baltimore Orioles
The O's have received what to the Cubs had become a spare part but what to them is a tremendously talented player they hope will break through with them. Patterson had been given countless chances to emerge from his status as a five-tool, first-round prospect in Chicago, but simply couldn't get it done, due in large part to brutal plate discipline. However, provided the O's roster stays largely the same heading into camp, it looks like he'll have every opportunity to win a starting job in the Baltimore outfield.
What does it give the Chicago Cubs
The addition of center-fielder Juan Pierre earlier this off-season essentially signaled the end of Patterson's career with the Cubs, and this trade just made the obvious official. Lacking in quality minor-league depth up the middle, Spears gives them a young infielder who could bubble up to the big club in a couple of years. Just 20, Spears isn't a big man, at 5-11 and 165 pounds, but, like many small guys, he makes up for it in guts and small-ball skills. That's not to mention his solid plate discipline and contact bat. Then there's Perez, the lesser prospect in the deal. Still in the low minors, he's a lefty with some work to do before even emerging on the prospect horizon.
Fantasy impact
