Dusty on Patterson, Bruce

Dusty Baker's on the Corey Patterson signing (Patterson and Jerry Hairston were not here this morning):

“Like I told you all the other day, No. 2, we’re short on bodies. No. 2, competition is healthy. We’re trying to improve ourself for now and future possibly. We’re trying to win this thing and go north with best people possible.”

“The main thing is he's still young. What's Corey? 28 years old? To me, he hasn't scratched the surface as to what he can do. He's one of the fastest runners in the league. He plays a great center field. He was caught in between not knowing what kind of hitter he was going to be -- if he was get-on-base speed man or he had enough power. It kind of messes you up. As a young hitter, I went through that. You don't if you’re a hitter or a slugger. I think he's decided through hook or crook that he's more of a hitter. When we had with the Cubs, he hadn't even bunted in minor leagues. He was told he was 30-30 man. Sonny Jackson taught him how to bunt. Now, he's one of the best bunters around. His upside potential is great, and he’s been a around a while.”

Baker was asked if Patterson had been rushed by the Cubs: “I said that once when I was there. I got in trouble from the organization because they said they didn't rush him. He's kind of epitome of hype – not to come down on you guys – but the media (builds a player up). Then every body's clamoring: Where's so and so? He's kind of where Jay Bruce used to be. In Chicago, everybody said ‘we want Corey, we want Corey.’ He came up and did real good. Then he kind of failed. The next thing they wanted to run him out of town and get someone else in there. He’s been though quite a bit of stuff.”

Does this mean Jay Bruce isn't going to make the club: "No, didn’t say that. I don’t leave open ended sentences. I say what’s on my mind. No, no, not at all. Bruce is a tremendous talent. This guy's going to be a star for a long time – long time. You don’t know if the time is right now or not. But if I didn't think he had a chance to make this club I sure wouldn't be playing him as much as I have. He's got more at-bats than anyone on the team.”

“I leave my mind open for anything. We've got to figure what’s best for the club and what's best for him, too. I was there with Matt Williams in San Francisco. I was there myself. I'm not talking about some book. It has nothing to do with age. Some of it has to do with experience and at-bats. (Bruce) has come on a course real quick. How many kids go Single-A, Double-A, Triple-A in year?”