With their season slipping away and no signs of life in the clubhouse, the Cubs began a shakeup Thursday with the demotions of Corey Patterson and Jason Dubois to Triple-A Iowa.
The announcement was made after Atlanta swept a day-night doubleheader, extending the Cubs’ losing streak to eight games with a 6-0 loss in the opener and a 9-4 loss in the nightcap.
Outfielders Matt Murton and Adam Greenberg were called up from Double-A West Tenn to take the places of the demoted outfielders. Jerry Hairston is expected to replace Patterson in center, as well as take over as leadoff man, at least until top prospect Felix Pie recovers from an ankle injury.
Patterson took his demotion hard, declining to speak to the media afterward. General manager Jim Hendry said it was a difficult decision that had to be made for the sake of both Patterson and the team.
“We’re not going well and we’re not here to point fingers at these guys, especially Corey,” Hendry said. “Corey has obviously been in a funk, and we’re not helping him right now by having him try to get out of it under these conditions.
“I think it’s better he clears his head, working on the stuff he and [hitting coach Gene Clines] have been working on the last three or four days.”
Dubois, who was hitting .239 with seven home runs in 52 games, took the move well, understanding he needed to get some at-bats.
“I’ll just go down there and work and get back here as fast as I can,” he said. “I’ve just been going downhill and I need to go uphill.”
Hailed as a five-tool player when he came out of high school as the No. 3 pick of the 1998 draft, Patterson regressed in 2005. In spite of Patterson’s $2.8 million salary, Hendry decided the team no longer could afford to play the enigmatic center fielder, who has been booed fervently at home because of his inconsistent play. Patterson had to clear waivers because he has had four seasons in the majors.
The Cubs handed Patterson the starting job in 2002 despite only 89 games at Triple A. But he seemed destined for stardom in 2003 when he hit .298 in 83 games before injuring his left knee and undergoing season-ending surgery. This year he has endured his worst season in the majors, ranking at or near the bottom in several offensive categories.
Entering Thursday’s action, Patterson had the fourth lowest batting average in the National League (.232), the third lowest on-base percentage (.270) and was tied for third for most strikeouts (82). Manager Dusty Baker tried to get him going by moving him into the leadoff spot June 22, saying Patterson had asked him for the role.
But the move proved disastrous, with Patterson struggling more than ever and the boos growing louder with every strikeout or popup. Patterson hit .218 in the leadoff spot this season, and only .132 after Baker reinstalled him in the spot for nine games.
“We still think the Corey that we know we’re going to get is still in there,” Hendry said. “Right now he’s not that Corey.”
Murton hit .342 at West Tenn and could compete for a starting spot in left field. Greenberg hit .278 and is likely to be a reserve.
“Dusty will write the lineup,” Hendry said. “But we’re in a situation where hopefully they [Murton and Greenberg] will give us a spark.”
Promise unfulfilled
It’s been a tough five seasons for Corey Patterson since his Sept. 18, 2000, debut. Expectations soared after a sizzling August 2004 (.336, 8 HRs, 18 RBIs). But instead of building on his numbers, Patterson nosedived–except when it came to strikeouts.
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Until 8/31/04 Since 9/1/04
433 GAMES 113
.268 AVG .220
.307 OBP .263
78 2Bs 15
52 HRs 16
185 RBIs 36
389 Ks 128
Source: STATS, Inc.
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psullivan@tribune.com
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