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Thursday, March 20, 2008

Times: Nationals Release John Patterson

The Nationals finally releasef their 2007 Opening Day Starter

Patterson said he was informed this afternoon that he was being released. The reason: “I don’t think I was progressing as fast as they wanted me to progress. They didn’t see what they wanted to see.”

The reason for the timing of the move: Patterson, as it turns out, had a nonguaranteed contract. By releasing him now, the Nats don’t have to pay him his $850,000 salary.

Additional comments from Bowden

After watching Patterson pitch for the last month, Bowden (and the club) became convinced he just wasn’t going to regain his velocity and command to a point where he was a better option than some of the other younger pitchers in camp (ie. John Lannan, Matt Chico). Patterson insisted he was healthy all along, but the fact his fastball never surpassed 87 mph was a sign to the Nats that things weren’t going to improve for a long time.

“We’ve done everything we could possibly do. He just never got the stuff back.”

Brian Oliver Posted: March 20, 2008 at 02:59 PM | 25 comment(s)
Related News: Washington

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1. Alex Gordon's #1 Fan Posted: March 20, 2008 at 03:22 PM (#2716572)

What was his injury? Seems like a really good reclamation project to take a flyer on.

2. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: March 20, 2008 at 03:25 PM (#2716573)

Shed no tears for JP. By the time most of you read this, Patterson's agent will have fielded a dozen calls from clubs interested in signing him to a minor league or, more likely, an incentive-laden major league contract. His 2005 ERA+ of 130, WHIP of 1.19 and K/9 of 8.4 will see to that.

3. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: March 20, 2008 at 03:26 PM (#2716574)

Elbow stuff, maybe with nerve damage as well. Too bad; he was one hell of a pitcher when he was healthy.

4. Eric J. Seidman Posted: March 20, 2008 at 03:40 PM (#2716588)

He also had attitude. I saw him argue with an ump his rookie season against the Phillies in two separate series. I think he's a bit of a hot-head, which could be good or bad, depending how you see it. But yeah, expect him in a uniform by opening day.

5. Brian Oliver Posted: March 20, 2008 at 03:40 PM (#2716589)

It was an ulnar nerve irritation in his right forearm. He has had a couple surgeries but was not throwing anywhere near what he did before. From an outsider's point of view, he came across as very tempermental with regards to how he felt, the mound, the weather, etc. I think the Nationals had just had enough.

That being said, some other team is going to jump all over him as a reclamation project.

6. Every Inge Counts Posted: March 20, 2008 at 04:18 PM (#2716611)

Tigers need to pick him up quickly.

7. Cris E Posted: March 20, 2008 at 04:18 PM (#2716612)

8. Cabbage Posted: March 20, 2008 at 04:31 PM (#2716623)

Time for TLR to come a-courtin'

9. Jeff in DC getting his JD (with VD) Posted: March 20, 2008 at 04:32 PM (#2716624)

I'm just surprised; for a contender with superior pitching options it makes sense, but the Nats have an extremely thin pitching staff. With Patterson out, and I think Hill is going to be on the DL to start the season, both Lannan and Chico will be in the rotation, with a backup of...um...me? Fan tryout time?

10. Bicycle RepairMan Posted: March 20, 2008 at 04:38 PM (#2716632)

Patterson has to be totally done and trashed Bowden's segway for this to make sense.

Like #8, I can feel uber trashbin crawlers, TLR/Duncan jumping in. They are like those old ladies who drive around looking for free junk to pile up at home.

11. The Clarence Thomas of BTF (scott) Posted: March 20, 2008 at 04:53 PM (#2716641)

i'd be shocked if he doesn't wind up somewhere. in a world where Neifi! hangs around, Patterson will find someone willing to stash him and hope he works his way back.

12. Russlan roots for the the mediocre Mets Posted: March 20, 2008 at 04:58 PM (#2716643)

The Mets should take a flyer on him. It would be nice to get something for nothing from the Nationals considering how they have taken advantage of the Mets the last two offseasons.

When the Mets traded for Maine, Minaya said he reminded him of Patterson. I don't really see it other than the fact they are tall and thin white guys but that does suggest Minaya likes Patterson. And of course, he did sign him.

13. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: March 20, 2008 at 05:16 PM (#2716660)

With Patterson out, and I think Hill is going to be on the DL to start the season, both Lannan and Chico will be in the rotation, with a backup of...um...me?

Pelfrey for Milledge. Omar, make this happen!

14. Esoteric roots for the two worst teams in baseball Posted: March 20, 2008 at 05:43 PM (#2716682)

Gotta say...I'm extremely surprised by this. Extremely surprised. I knew that JP's velocity was down, but I had no idea that this was in the offing.

I didn't think Patterson would amount to all that much this season anyway - his arm is shredded, methinks, and he's perpetually whining about it - but he has such raw talent that it pains me to see him go.

15. Russlan roots for the the mediocre Mets Posted: March 20, 2008 at 06:03 PM (#2716700)

I didn't think Patterson would amount to all that much this season anyway - his arm is shredded, methinks, and he's perpetually whining about it - but he has such raw talent that it pains me to see him go.

It says a lot that they just released him because they only save 600k. He is likely done. The Mets should still sign him since they are only an injury or two away from having Armas in their rotation.

16. Esoteric roots for the two worst teams in baseball Posted: March 20, 2008 at 06:06 PM (#2716704)

As a Nationals fan, I've seen more seasons of Tony Armas, Jr. than any man deserves to (two, to be exact). I don't care if you have to sign Mike Bacsik, it's worth it to avoid Armas.

17. Esoteric roots for the two worst teams in baseball Posted: March 20, 2008 at 06:13 PM (#2716715)

I suppose what surprises me about this move is that, well, it's not as if the Nats are exactly a model of organizational depth when it comes to starting pitching. I suppose that since we're not competing it's better to give guys like Chico and Lannan a shot, but still. Patterson must truly be cashed. A shame, but if that's the case, then I give credit to the FO for pulling the trigger when they did.

What's interesting is that this suggests they were unable to get anything for JP in a trade. I heard rumors that he might be on the block prior to this move...guess it was the chopping block and not the trading one.

18. akrasian Posted: March 20, 2008 at 06:36 PM (#2716735)

What's interesting is that this suggests they were unable to get anything for JP in a trade. I heard rumors that he might be on the block prior to this move...guess it was the chopping block and not the trading one.

If they have to pick up part of the salary, then it suggests they couldn't even give him away. Apparently other teams agreed that he is toast.

19. Russlan roots for the the mediocre Mets Posted: March 20, 2008 at 06:42 PM (#2716741)

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. I'd definitely be pleased if Minaya signed him to a low-risk deal.

20. akrasian Posted: March 20, 2008 at 06:48 PM (#2716745)

At this stage it'd likely be a minor league deal. Give him a month or two to build up his velocity, if he can.

21. Sean McNally Posted: March 20, 2008 at 11:09 PM (#2716846)

It should be pointed out that while someone will take a flier, its not really clear whether Patterson has anything going on for him.

This offseason he had to go to Canada to get experimental nerve surgery. Not that Canada doesn't have good doctors, but if you're leaving the country for untried and unproven surgery, its probably not a good sign.

22. Russlan roots for the the mediocre Mets Posted: March 21, 2008 at 04:34 AM (#2716889)

A Mets official said the club isn't interested in John Patterson after the Nationals surprisingly released the right-hander yesterday. The Mets would seem to be a candidate for Patterson in part because GM Omar Minaya traded for Patterson while Minaya was still in charge of the Expos in 2004.

That's from the Post.

23. Margo Adams FC Posted: March 21, 2008 at 05:34 AM (#2716893)

if you're leaving the country for untried and unproven surgery, its probably not a good sign.

Worked out OK for Magglio Ordonez...

24. Johnny Tuttle Posted: March 21, 2008 at 08:57 AM (#2716925)

Is Patterson the type of fellow who would accept a MiLB assignment?

Another JP--Ricciardi--has been active in adding fringey talent this spring; that's my early prediction.

25. Excel Hearts Choi Posted: March 21, 2008 at 10:55 AM (#2717001)

Why talk about having Patterson go to the minors? If his velocity is a concern, why not sign him to a major league deal with the understanding that he starts in the bullpen? #19 said he was good for two innings in a ST start, sounds like he would do fine in the bullpen. This way the team gets a return on their investment right now (instead of having him pitch in the minors). Should his velocity improve, he could slide over to the rotation. Even if his velocity does not return, he could probably still fool some batters for an inning or so, which has some value. Besides, given his injury history, keeping his innings down by starting in the pen and moving to the rotation could be useful to a team with high hopes for the playoffs.

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Times: Nationals Release John Patterson

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