From today's Kiley article.........

[Bgbird68]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-cub07.html

 

Starts about about Patterson trade, then this nugget is in there:

 

"Neifi Perez is the projected starting second baseman for '06"

 

Thanks, Hendry.

[Schwarber Fan]

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[RynoRules]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-cub07.html

 

Starts about about Patterson trade, then this nugget is in there:

 

"Neifi Perez is the projected starting second baseman for '06"

 

Thanks, Hendry.

 

Two things:

 

1) "projected"

 

2) Thank Dusty

[CuseCubFan69]

Is anyone really surprised? The only way Perez doesn't start is if the Cubs have Tejada and Vidro like players to play the middle.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Is anyone really surprised? The only way Perez doesn't start is if the Cubs have Tejada and Vidro like players to play the middle.

I was certain he would be a starter, the day he signed his 2 year deal.

[FergieJ31]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-cub07.html

 

Starts about about Patterson trade, then this nugget is in there:

 

"Neifi Perez is the projected starting second baseman for '06"

 

Thanks, Hendry.

 

I feel like Charlie Brown on the mound and someone just smacked another liner through the box.

 

Good grief.

[WrigleyinEngland]

I know this sounds impossible but if Perez starts badly offesively i think Hendry will put the squeeze on baker to try something different.

[frostwyrm]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-cub07.html

 

Starts about about Patterson trade, then this nugget is in there:

 

"Neifi Perez is the projected starting second baseman for '06"

 

Thanks, Hendry.

 

If we get Tejada, then who is the projected 2B? I know who the ACTUAL 2B would be, but the projection could provide some amusement.

[imb]

I know this sounds impossible but if Perez starts badly offesively i think Hendry will put the squeeze on baker to try something different.

 

I doubt it. Hendry signed him for 2 years.

[YearofDaCubs]

What else is new...

[Roast]

I love it when my worst fears are confirmed. It's so exhilarating.

[RynoRules]

I know that we are all assuming the worst around here these days, but didn't Bruce contradict this statement by Kiley?

[CUBZ99]

I know that we are all assuming the worst around here these days, but didn't Bruce contradict this statement by Kiley?

 

If the Cubs trade Walker who else is left to play 2b? IMO when Neifi signed his $5M the Cubs were planning on starting him. On a positive note, the IF defense should look alot better.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I know that we are all assuming the worst around here these days, but didn't Bruce contradict this statement by Kiley?

 

If the Cubs trade Walker who else is left to play 2b? IMO when Neifi signed his $5M the Cubs were planning on starting him. On a positive note, the IF defense should look alot better.

 

Hairston could also play second.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I know that we are all assuming the worst around here these days, but didn't Bruce contradict this statement by Kiley?

 

Bruce stated he didn't think the Cubs org felt Nefei was an everyday player. I bet Hendry thinks the only true hole for the Cubs right now is at 2B or SS, hence miggy interest.

[BigbadB]

I know that we are all assuming the worst around here these days, but didn't Bruce contradict this statement by Kiley?

 

Bruce stated he didn't think the Cubs org felt Nefei was an everyday player. I bet Hendry thinks the only true hole for the Cubs right now is at 2B or SS, hence miggy interest.

 

What I believe is that Neifi was signed as insurance. Expensive insurance, yes, but insurance nonetheless. Now, Neifi is still the insurance man, because the Cubs line up is currently projected to feature BOTH Matt Murton and Ronny Cedeno. Now, most of us here will agree that there is nothing wrong with that. However, the most important person that needs to agree with that most likely won't, and that's Dusty. I don't see Dusty giving 2 of the 8 everyday jobs to two players that have proved nothing at the major league level. Maybe he'll surprise me this year, but I doubt it.

 

If the Cubs don't land a corner outfielder to turn Murton into a platoon guy with Jones, which means Murton plays everyday, then I believe Cedeno will take more of a bench role. If the Cubs get a middle infielder that turns Cedeno into a part time player in the infield, then Murton will play everyday. Only on a rare occasion would I expect to see Dusty use Cedeno and Murton in the same line up, or only after it's been proven they are head and shoulders better than their competition at their respective positions.

 

So, if the Cubs trade for a guy like Floyd or Huff or Ibanez, then I would expect Cedeno to have an everyday job while Murton plays partime with Jones. If the Cubs keep Walker or trades for a Soriano or Vidro, then I would expect Cedeno to have a bench job while Murton plays everyday.

 

When Murton gets a start against a lefty pitcher, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hairston playing 2nd and Neifi playing SS that day. Or, maybe Hendry will actually have a much shorter leash with Dusty this year, since it is the last year of his contract. I would expect that the Cubs will do the honorable thing (not necessarily the right thing) and just quietly not renew Dusty's contract for 2007. But, a bad season from this team, and that choice may not be Hendry's to make.

[ThePenguin11]

Did anyone else listen to Baseball 365 this morning one ESPN1000? Joey Cora was commenting on Ronny Cedeno's performance at the Ven. Winter League. He said that he's a very special player who the Cubs are going to be very happy with. He commented that he's a very tough out even with breaking balls. Very good defensively and had said something to the effect that he thought Cedeno was going to be the NL Rookie of the Year. That's a pretty damn good endorsement in my opinion. He couldn't say enough about the kid, and JH can't find a replacement fast enough.

 

This leads me to ask myself, 'Is Neifi even better than Ronny defensively?'. I'm pretty sure he's a better, more patient hitter. So wouldn't it be a no-brainer to go with Ronny?

 

I was the last guy to jump on Cedeno's bandwagon, but seriously, has Hendry lost his mind? Are we so hamstrung by Baker's stubborness that Hendry's head is not functioning correctly anymore? We have money to spend and the more I think about it I think it will be wasted by spending it on Tejada. I'd rather get more pitching or go all out on an big bat for the outfield.

 

Sorry for the stream of consciousness, but Hendry has officially lost me, and it's driving me crazy.

[RockTheIvy]

Did anyone else listen to Baseball 365 this morning one ESPN1000? Joey Cora was commenting on Ronny Cedeno's performance at the Ven. Winter League. He said that he's a very special player who the Cubs are going to be very happy with. He commented that he's a very tough out even with breaking balls. Very good defensively and had said something to the effect that he thought Cedeno was going to be the NL Rookie of the Year. That's a pretty damn good endorsement in my opinion. He couldn't say enough about the kid, and JH can't find a replacement fast enough.

 

This leads me to ask myself, 'Is Neifi even better than Ronny defensively?'. I'm pretty sure he's a better, more patient hitter. So wouldn't it be a no-brainer to go with Ronny?

 

I was the last guy to jump on Cedeno's bandwagon, but seriously, has Hendry lost his mind? Are we so hamstrung by Baker's stubborness that Hendry's head is not functioning correctly anymore? We have money to spend and the more I think about it I think it will be wasted by spending it on Tejada. I'd rather get more pitching or go all out on an big bat for the outfield.

 

Sorry for the stream of consciousness, but Hendry has officially lost me, and it's driving me crazy.

 

From an OBP perspective, is Cedeno better than Tejada?

[Mark Priors Calves]

I could be way wrong on this but it seems like all the articles that mention Perez as the starting 2B are from Kiley or in the Sun-Times.

[Southpaw191679666239]

I guess it's time to break out the voodoo to have Neifi get injured in the WBC. :twisted:

[Sarcastic]

I'd hardly call this confirmation. Kiley doesn't list any source, not even an "unnamed source," so the chances are pretty good that his projection is based on nothing more than his expectations.

[abuck1220]

pretty tough for a team w/ a 100+ mil payroll to sport arguably the worst offensive outfield AND the worst offensive middle infield in baseball. the cubs are a lee/ramirez/barrett injury from having one of the worst offenses in baseball.

[nolanwood]

pretty tough for a team w/ a 100+ mil payroll to sport arguably the worst offensive outfield AND the worst offensive middle infield in baseball. the cubs are a lee/ramirez/barrett injury from having one of the worst offenses in baseball.

 

And ironically, of that 100+ mil payroll, only one of our suppsed ace pitchers is getting paid big $, and that's the one who won't even be with us a full season!!

 

So, with a horrid offensive outfield and middle infield, where is all this money going?

[frostwyrm]

pretty tough for a team w/ a 100+ mil payroll to sport arguably the worst offensive outfield AND the worst offensive middle infield in baseball. the cubs are a lee/ramirez/barrett injury from having one of the worst offenses in baseball.

 

And ironically, of that 100+ mil payroll, only one of our suppsed ace pitchers is getting paid big $, and that's the one who won't even be with us a full season!!

 

So, with a horrid offensive outfield and middle infield, where is all this money going?

 

I agree, with Prior and Z making peanuts, and the highest payroll in the league, it's pathetic to field a team like this.

[UK1679666180]

I can't believe a team with this payroll has to rely on the MLSB for scouting the Pacific Rim as well as lack of the higher priced Dominican and Venezuelan players coming up thru the system.