On The Outs?

Mike Kiley tells it like it is in the SunTimes today. The Cubs' outfield is bad. Although Jeromy Burnitz hasn't been terrible (his D is OK and he's on a 25 HR / 100 RBI pace), his performance isn't acceptable with Korey and Toddson Hollandbois in left.

Kiley then goes through the littany of abuses that Korey's been allowed to foster on the Cubs and their fans. There's nothing new here if you read this site.

What makes the article so interesting is this passage:

What makes a Patterson trade scenario so intriguing is seeing what has transpired since LaTroy Hawkins was traded to San Francisco last month. Can it be only a coincidence that the bullpen has reacted with a sigh of relief and improved performances?

Clearly removing the nightly implossion that was LaTroy made everyone feel better - the guy who would destroy our hard work was removed.

Is Kiley implying that Korey is a distraction to this team, just as Hawkins was? If true, this would be the first published report that the team is geetting as sick of him and his "I wanna be a #3 hitter" crap that the fans are now sick of.

Gaius Marius over at 1060 West chimes in an says what I was trying to say in greater detail and with better style.