So how do you like Hillenbrand now?

[Chris_Sanders]

Sheesh we got taken to the cleaners in that Kim trade.

Some of you haters need to eat some crow now. Hillenbrand is exactly what the Diamondbacks needed. His ability to hit for average and even some power will mean that Gonzo will continue to get great pitches to hit.

 

[Ryanwb]

I was thinking simular thoughts, I love the trade so far

 

[green machine]

Well one game does not a career make. However I was happy for the trade when it happened, and nothing has been done to change my opinion. The team NEEDED to make a move, and getting Shea will prove to be a good one.

adam

 

[Ryanwb]

Originally posted by green machine
Well one game does not a career make. However I was happy for the trade when it happened, and nothing has been done to change my opinion. The team NEEDED to make a move, and getting Shea will prove to be a good one.

adam

It wasn't one game, he has been getting it done for the last 5 or 6, plus his glove work at 3rd is phenominal. Rlakin licks it!

 

[RLakin]

Originally posted by Ryanwb
It wasn't one game, he has been getting it done for the last 5 or 6, plus his glove work at 3rd is phenominal. Rlakin licks it!

I don't remember being at the front of the anti-Hillenbrand movement or being a "hater" as put so elegantly by the thread starter. I will say, however, that I wasn't a fan of this deal because I don't believe in trading equal pitching for hitting. It's a view shared by many.
It's clear that the D-Backs have reaped better rewards from the deal thus far, just like the A's with Durazo. No question.
As for my feelings on Shea Hillenbrand: I like the guy. I think I've previously commented on this board that his hitting style reminds me a lot of Greg Colbrunn, and there's no question that he'll hit more HRs at BOB than in Fenway. (EX: Tonight’s three homeruns probably wouldn't have gotten past the green monster.) He also plays a pretty solid (not brilliant) 3rd base.
As it stands, Hillenbrand has brought some needed RH RBI production to the table, and the D-Backs have got what they needed out him and, thus, this deal so far. Whether or not this holds up is anyone's guess and I have my doubts as to whether Hillenbrand is a long term solution as the D-Backs #4 hitter and/or whether Kim will continue to struggle. All in all, Hillenbrand is a solid complementary piece and if this is an admission of guilt, eating crow, or whatever ridiculous insinuation floating around, so be it.
I have no problem conceding points, and right now the Hillenbrand/Kim deal was clearly a better trade than I initially expected or gave the D-Backs credit for.

 

[IndyDevil]

I'll admit it - I wasn't happy with the trade when it happened, mainly because I thought we could get more in trade for BK...of course, I said at the time I would be more than happy to chow down some crow if Shea turned out to be the RH bat we sorely lacked, and if last night was any indication, I prefer blackened, Cajun-style bird!!

Pitching rotation upon RJ/Schill return (?):

RJ
Schilling
Batista
Webb
Dessens/Good

Do they keep Patterson for long relief/spot starter, or does he go back to Tucson?

 

[PDXChris]

They should send him to El Paso with the way he has been pitching

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Patterson obviously still needs work. He is going to be a starter (hopefully) so I would say back to Triple A.

 

[devilalum]

Originally posted by bankybruce
They should send him to El Paso with the way he has been pitching

Then he'd steal a spot in El Paso from an actual prospect!

 

[Smolder]

uh, guys, before you go stomping on patterson, you might wanna remember that he is our BEST prospect. remember, the guy had tommy john. and he was pitching great until brenly messed around with his pitching. there's no reason to think he can't be fixed in the minors. give him time. he's a kid...

i say keep gracie, but for heaven's sake, don't start the dude. he should stay in the dugout, like a good clubhouse presence should.

and please get rid of elmer fudd. the guys sucks. geezes, just get rid of him. he doesn't even have flashes of greatness like good. he's just consistently mediocre. we don't need that kind of guy in a pennant run.

 

[Lefty]

I would not be surprised if Patterson is mentioned in trade talks. The Diamondbacks have Capuano(made the AAA All-Star game next week), Mike Gosling and Gonzalez down in Tucson. Those three pitchers have bright futures ahead of them.

I think Grace should be on the team just because of his presence.

 

[green machine]

Grace needs to be here. But not on the active roster. He takes a spot away from a Hammock, a Cintron, a Kata. His locker room presense is needed, but the skills he brings to the table at this point are not.

adam

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by Zona90
I would not be surprised if Patterson is mentioned in trade talks. The Diamondbacks have Capuano(made the AAA All-Star game next week), Mike Gosling and Gonzalez down in Tucson. Those three pitchers have bright futures ahead of them.

I think Grace should be on the team just because of his presence.

There is no doubt in my mind Patterson will now be the first to go back to Tucson when Randy or Curt returns. I think the Dbacks will keep him up here until one of them returns however

Zona, while I wouldn't doubt for a moment that Patterson could be discussed in trade talks, I think it would be a mistake to simply toss him on the scrap heap based on what has occurred thus far. I think some time in the minors would do him a world of good and I think he can come back and he is, still, the top pitching prospect in theorganization no matter what Good or Webb are doing.

 

[Skkorpion]

Smolder, I disagree with you on Patterson. My eyes see a guy who is timid and has bad body language most of the time. I don't think Patterson has the psyche or mental toughness to be a major league pitcher.

 

[njlawrence]

Agree with you, Skkorp. Patterson's gotta go.

As for the Shea/BK trade....how sweet was it for Shea to have that kind of night at the plate when BK was hitting a batter in the 9th at Yankee Stadium? Do want him to do well, especially beating the Yankees, but we certainly have looked like we were on the right side of the trade.

 

[AZCB34]

Originally posted by Skkorpion
Smolder, I disagree with you on Patterson. My eyes see a guy who is timid and has bad body language most of the time. I don't think Patterson has the psyche or mental toughness to be a major league pitcher.

Skkorp, I am not sure I would go so far as to say Patterson lacks the psyche/mental toughness but I would say his confidence is down right now. Now it is his deal. Bow to the adversity of conquer it and be the pitcher I believed he would be coming into the season.

The trip back to Tucson may jolt him enough to bring about changes. Hopefully that is the case.

 

[schillingfan]

Patterson had lots of mental toughness last year when pitching with the big boys. I think right now he's in a bad mental patch. But he won't be the first good young pitcher that's happened to nor the last.

His stock hasn't fallen that far. Young pitchers are known to be maddening.