Neifi to start at second tomorrow

[goonys evil twin]

Well, let's worry about it when it becomes a problem. At this point in the season there is no reason to not give a guy props for 3 hits.

 

It became a problem last year. It has never ceased to be a problem.

[brinoch]

Looking at it on its own, great move by Dusty,

 

Rather than looking at the results one game, let's examine the total body of evidence, please. Neifi is not a good offensive player. End of story. As a properly used bench player, he can be an asset. He should not be a platoon partner or a starter.

 

I agree. But today was just one start. Walker started the other two. I don't have any problem with things so far as long as Neifi is hitting in his occasional start.

 

Same here. I think players perform better with reasonable rest. The body can only take so much, and letting a player rot on the bench is foolish.

 

My problem is really with Dusty's justification for sitting Walker -- it wasn't about rest, it was about defense. Replacing a lesser defensive player with a clearly lesser offensive player for an entire game is pretty silly. Using their relative 3 year OBP's, Walker is at .345 and Perez is mired at .294. That .051 is pretty significant. For each at-bat, then, Baker is sacrificing quite a bit of offensive potential for a defensive upgrade. And the defensive upgrade does not nearly offset the loss in potential offense.

 

Would you sit Adam Dunn for Austin Kearns?

[srbin84]

Yeah, it wasn't the ideal lineup. Dusty got lucky and it worked really well. Maybe Maddux had a say though.

[frostwyrm]

So when does Hairston get to play?

[Mark Priors Calves]

So when does Hairston get to play?

That's a great question. If Dusty is going to Neifi at 2B for his defense, and he's obviously is going to Walker for his offense, where does that leave Hairston? He's got to feel like the odd man out.

[frostwyrm]

I guess Hairston will play only vs LHP, and only on days when defense can safely be de-emphasized. Seems like a waste of roster space if that is how he will be used. Of course Walker could be out of here tomorrow if a contender has an injury at 2B.

[BigbadB]

Better yet, when does Bynum play. :geek:

 

Batting Neifi at the top of the order is the biggest issue. I don't think anyone needs last years box scores dredged up to prove the point. I can recall a Derrek Lee home run today, and I can recall Matt Murton drawing a walk in his first at bat right after Derrek Lee's home run.

 

Yes, it worked out okay today. But, the bad news is this will only inspire Dusty to do it again in future dates, and more often than not, it's not going to create positive results.

 

In essence, our worst nightmare just came true. That nice day by Neifi likely just secured his #2 spot in the line up for the rest of the year (when he plays).

[CUBZ99]

Better yet, when does Bynum play. :geek:

 

Batting Neifi at the top of the order is the biggest issue. I don't think anyone needs last years box scores dredged up to prove the point. I can recall a Derrek Lee home run today, and I can recall Matt Murton drawing a walk in his first at bat right after Derrek Lee's home run.

 

Yes, it worked out okay today. But, the bad news is this will only inspire Dusty to do it again in future dates, and more often than not, it's not going to create positive results.

 

In essence, our worst nightmare just came true. That nice day by Neifi likely just secured his #2 spot in the line up for the rest of the year (when he plays).

 

:lol: People complain if Neifi plays bad and they are even complaining when he has an excellent game. There is no justice for Neifi or Dusty.

[KaiserCesar]

Wow, great move, Dusty. NOW DONT YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN!

 

 

Ehh, we can only hope

[oldcubsfan]

Well, let's worry about it when it becomes a problem. At this point in the season there is no reason to not give a guy props for 3 hits.

 

It became a problem last year. It has never ceased to be a problem.

 

So what was the big problem last year with him? You just hate the guy who certainly wasn't the cause of last year's failures.

[mtkafka]

So people are still trashing Neifi (haven;t been to the these boards in awhile!)... albeit he isn't that great aplayer he still ain't terrible. Honestly... I would rather have him play MORE than both Hairston and Walker... Hairston is more dead weight than either Neifi and Walker.. and Walker is probably going to turn into an IF version of Hollandsworth... Neifi is scrappy, and most importantly, plays solid Defense.

 

I always think of Walker as a crybaby for some reason...maybe thats my bias. Never hear problems with Neifi and the press either.

 

etc

[treebird]

PROCESS NOT RESULTS

 

playing neifi is dumb whether he gets hits or not

 

if i see a cop and i punch him in the face, and i get away with it, it doesn't make the decision any smarter.

[SonnyD]

So when does Hairston get to play?

 

When Neifi replaces Cedeno at short........ :shock:

[BigbadB]

So people are still trashing Neifi (haven;t been to the these boards in awhile!)... albeit he isn't that great aplayer he still ain't terrible. Honestly... I would rather have him play MORE than both Hairston and Walker... Hairston is more dead weight than either Neifi and Walker.. and Walker is probably going to turn into an IF version of Hollandsworth... Neifi is scrappy, and most importantly, plays solid Defense.

 

I always think of Walker as a crybaby for some reason...maybe thats my bias. Never hear problems with Neifi and the press either.

 

etc

 

I don't care if Walker is a crybaby and a tattletail, if he's the better player, he should play.

 

But, this really isn't my issue. I can live with Neifi playing. But, he needs to hit at the bottom of the order. If he goes 3-4 hitting 8th, I'm not complaining. I would prefer Walker or Hairston in there regularly, but if Neifi gets a rare start, I'm cool. But, for the love of all things good, bat him where he belongs.

[cheapseats]

So people are still trashing Neifi (haven;t been to the these boards in awhile!)... albeit he isn't that great aplayer he still ain't terrible.

 

etc

 

Yes, in fact, he is terrible. In a recent Baseball Prospectus article, he appeared as the #12 worst offensive baseball player since 1900.

 

He is an ideal late-innings replacement or backup shortstop, but he shouldn't be starting.

 

I don't think anyone here hates him - it's not that he kicks babies or eats puppies - but, like lots here say, I hate the way Dusty uses him.

 

Neifi shouldn't start, but when he does, he shouldn't be anywhere near the 2 slot.

[srbin84]

So people are still trashing Neifi (haven;t been to the these boards in awhile!)... albeit he isn't that great aplayer he still ain't terrible.

 

etc

 

Yes, in fact, he is terrible. In a recent Baseball Prospectus article, he appeared as the #12 worst offensive baseball player since 1900.

 

He is an ideal late-innings replacement or backup shortstop, but he shouldn't be starting.

 

I don't think anyone here hates him - it's not that he kicks babies or eats puppies - but, like lots here say, I hate the way Dusty uses him.

 

Neifi shouldn't start, but when he does, he shouldn't be anywhere near the 2 slot.

 

Neifi is a far from good offensive player but #12 worst since 1900 is absolutely ridiculous. I could probably think of 12 former Cubs in the last 10 years who were worse than him. I'd like to know what kind of criteria were used becuase I've seen this quoted on here a few times. It has to be based on have a large number of ABs and disregard position or something.

[frostwyrm]

So people are still trashing Neifi (haven;t been to the these boards in awhile!)... albeit he isn't that great aplayer he still ain't terrible.

 

etc

 

Yes, in fact, he is terrible. In a recent Baseball Prospectus article, he appeared as the #12 worst offensive baseball player since 1900.

 

He is an ideal late-innings replacement or backup shortstop, but he shouldn't be starting.

 

I don't think anyone here hates him - it's not that he kicks babies or eats puppies - but, like lots here say, I hate the way Dusty uses him.

 

Neifi shouldn't start, but when he does, he shouldn't be anywhere near the 2 slot.

 

Neifi is a far from good offensive player but #12 worst since 1900 is absolutely ridiculous. I could probably think of 12 former Cubs in the last 10 years who were worse than him. I'd like to know what kind of criteria were used becuase I've seen this quoted on here a few times. It has to be based on have a large number of ABs and disregard position or something.

 

I'm sure it was park-adjusted. Someone who has gotten 57% of his career at bats with the Rockies having Neifi's career numbers is very very bad.

[NewUserName]

I am thinking if your strenghts as a player are you are scrappy and dont whine. You suck. If someone cant use statistics to show your value, well that pretty much shows what your value is.

[srbin84]

So people are still trashing Neifi (haven;t been to the these boards in awhile!)... albeit he isn't that great aplayer he still ain't terrible.

 

etc

 

Yes, in fact, he is terrible. In a recent Baseball Prospectus article, he appeared as the #12 worst offensive baseball player since 1900.

 

He is an ideal late-innings replacement or backup shortstop, but he shouldn't be starting.

 

I don't think anyone here hates him - it's not that he kicks babies or eats puppies - but, like lots here say, I hate the way Dusty uses him.

 

Neifi shouldn't start, but when he does, he shouldn't be anywhere near the 2 slot.

 

Neifi is a far from good offensive player but #12 worst since 1900 is absolutely ridiculous. I could probably think of 12 former Cubs in the last 10 years who were worse than him. I'd like to know what kind of criteria were used becuase I've seen this quoted on here a few times. It has to be based on have a large number of ABs and disregard position or something.

 

I'm sure it was park-adjusted. Someone who has gotten 57% of his career at bats with the Rockies having Neifi's career numbers is very very bad.

 

Yeah that's a good point. That being said, I still can't say I would rather have Paul Bako, Curtis Goodwin, Augie Ojeda, Manny Alexander, Sandy Martinez, Jeff Huson, Chad Meyers, Eric Yelding or Steve Lake bat than him just to name a few.

[J.R.]

I am thinking if your strenghts as a player are you are scrappy and dont whine. You suck. If someone cant use statistics to show your value, well that pretty much shows what your value is.

 

Damn straight.

[badger1679666666]

So people are still trashing Neifi (haven;t been to the these boards in awhile!)... albeit he isn't that great aplayer he still ain't terrible. Honestly... I would rather have him play MORE than both Hairston and Walker... Hairston is more dead weight than either Neifi and Walker.. and Walker is probably going to turn into an IF version of Hollandsworth... Neifi is scrappy, and most importantly, plays solid Defense.

 

I always think of Walker as a crybaby for some reason...maybe thats my bias. Never hear problems with Neifi and the press either.

 

etc

 

Dude, Neifi is beyond awful.

 

Are you Dusty?

[Illini Iceman]

So people are still trashing Neifi (haven;t been to the these boards in awhile!)... albeit he isn't that great aplayer he still ain't terrible.

 

etc

 

Yes, in fact, he is terrible. In a recent Baseball Prospectus article, he appeared as the #12 worst offensive baseball player since 1900.

 

He is an ideal late-innings replacement or backup shortstop, but he shouldn't be starting.

 

I don't think anyone here hates him - it's not that he kicks babies or eats puppies - but, like lots here say, I hate the way Dusty uses him.

 

Neifi shouldn't start, but when he does, he shouldn't be anywhere near the 2 slot.

 

Neifi is a far from good offensive player but #12 worst since 1900 is absolutely ridiculous. I could probably think of 12 former Cubs in the last 10 years who were worse than him. I'd like to know what kind of criteria were used becuase I've seen this quoted on here a few times. It has to be based on have a large number of ABs and disregard position or something.

 

I'm sure it was park-adjusted. Someone who has gotten 57% of his career at bats with the Rockies having Neifi's career numbers is very very bad.

 

Yeah that's a good point. That being said, I still can't say I would rather have Paul Bako, Curtis Goodwin, Augie Ojeda, Manny Alexander, Sandy Martinez, Jeff Huson, Chad Meyers, Eric Yelding or Steve Lake bat than him just to name a few.

 

I think if forced to choose I would also select Neifi over Mick Kelleher.

[ltb]

Well, let's worry about it when it becomes a problem. At this point in the season there is no reason to not give a guy props for 3 hits.

 

It became a problem last year. It has never ceased to be a problem.

 

So what was the big problem last year with him? You just hate the guy who certainly wasn't the cause of last year's failures.

 

the problem?

 

neifi, a terrible hitter, played in something like 130 games, batting in the 1 or 2 slot, with a sub-.300 OBP. that hurts the team immensely.

[srbin84]

So people are still trashing Neifi (haven;t been to the these boards in awhile!)... albeit he isn't that great aplayer he still ain't terrible.

 

etc

 

Yes, in fact, he is terrible. In a recent Baseball Prospectus article, he appeared as the #12 worst offensive baseball player since 1900.

 

He is an ideal late-innings replacement or backup shortstop, but he shouldn't be starting.

 

I don't think anyone here hates him - it's not that he kicks babies or eats puppies - but, like lots here say, I hate the way Dusty uses him.

 

Neifi shouldn't start, but when he does, he shouldn't be anywhere near the 2 slot.

 

Neifi is a far from good offensive player but #12 worst since 1900 is absolutely ridiculous. I could probably think of 12 former Cubs in the last 10 years who were worse than him. I'd like to know what kind of criteria were used becuase I've seen this quoted on here a few times. It has to be based on have a large number of ABs and disregard position or something.

 

I'm sure it was park-adjusted. Someone who has gotten 57% of his career at bats with the Rockies having Neifi's career numbers is very very bad.

 

Yeah that's a good point. That being said, I still can't say I would rather have Paul Bako, Curtis Goodwin, Augie Ojeda, Manny Alexander, Sandy Martinez, Jeff Huson, Chad Meyers, Eric Yelding or Steve Lake bat than him just to name a few.

 

I think if forced to choose I would also select Neifi over Mick Kelleher.

 

Not my era but I looked that guy up...flat out BRUTAL. How the hell did he play 11 years?

[SouthSideRyan]

So people are still trashing Neifi (haven;t been to the these boards in awhile!)... albeit he isn't that great aplayer he still ain't terrible.

 

etc

 

Yes, in fact, he is terrible. In a recent Baseball Prospectus article, he appeared as the #12 worst offensive baseball player since 1900.

 

He is an ideal late-innings replacement or backup shortstop, but he shouldn't be starting.

 

I don't think anyone here hates him - it's not that he kicks babies or eats puppies - but, like lots here say, I hate the way Dusty uses him.

 

Neifi shouldn't start, but when he does, he shouldn't be anywhere near the 2 slot.

 

The problem with BPRO's statement is people misinterpret it. It by no means is saying Neifi is the 12th worst player at offense in baseball's history. It is saying that he has cost teams the 12th most offensively in baseball history. That is to say, he's managed to accumulate enough PAs over the years that his offense has been the 12th most detrimental of all time. There have been 1000s of players in history who were worse offensively.