Tomas Perez in da Howse!

[rawaction]

Meh, just a minor league deal and an invite to ST. Nothing confirmed yet. I doubt this will turn into anything major.

 

For most teams, that would be true. But this franchise has been more than happy to give lots of times to guys who deserved nothing more than a NRI to ST. You had the recently released from SF Neifi Perez, and the released in ST Glendon Rusch. Then you had a handful of other NRI with no upside guys, like Rey Ordonez, Tony Womack, Enrique (he knows how to play in yankee stadium) Wilson, that all got playing time.

 

In the big picture, it probably doesn't matter, but when this team signs worthless NRI guys, there's going to be a natural negative reaction out of fear that they'll actually play.

 

I agree with your overall point, but the year we signed the released in ST Glendon Rusch, he was tremendous for us. I actually like the concept of giving minor league deals to guys who once had a modicum of success, and hope you can get a decent half season off the bench/bullpen from him. But doing it with Dusty Baker was like giving a pyromaniac gasoline, a lighter, lighter fluid, the keys to a vacant building, and rubbing two sticks together to get him started.

 

You can take a gamble with pitching having a surprise year. Hitters who can't hit don't all of a sudden figure it out and start hitting. With pitchers there's at least a chance that a good pitching coach can find some flaws in delivery, mechanics, stuff and correct it. With hitters, if they are bad, they are bad. No hitting coach is gonna make Tomas Perez a good hitter.

[rawaction]

Also an FYI, the only reason Marquis Grissom signing turned into nothing was because he retired. He had the final spot on the 25-man roster, but gave it up to Pagan.

[Bruce Miles]

Also an FYI, the only reason Marquis Grissom signing turned into nothing was because he retired. He had the final spot on the 25-man roster, but gave it up to Pagan.

 

Not really. The Cubs would have cut him had he not retired. He just made things easier for them and went out with a "retirement" instead of being cut.

[CUBZ99]

The Tribune article is updated and it states something to the effect that Perez is expected to make the 25 man as a back up middle infielder. :x

 

Chicagosports.com Says

The newest Perez, 33, can play all infield positions and will attend major-league camp with expectations that he will be a backup infielder

[Bruce Miles]

The Tribune article is updated and it states something to the effect that Perez is expected to make the 25 man as a back up middle infielder. :x

 

Chicagosports.com Says

The newest Perez, 33, can play all infield positions and will attend major-league camp with expectations that he will be a backup infielder

 

Those are Perez's expectations. His situation will be similar to that of Grissom last year. If he has a great spring, he's got a shot. If not, the Cubs will give him the choice between Iowa or looking for another job.

[CUBZ99]

The Tribune article is updated and it states something to the effect that Perez is expected to make the 25 man as a back up middle infielder. :x

 

Chicagosports.com Says

The newest Perez, 33, can play all infield positions and will attend major-league camp with expectations that he will be a backup infielder

 

Those are Perez's expectations. His situation will be similar to that of Grissom last year. If he has a great spring, he's got a shot. If not, the Cubs will give him the choice between Iowa or looking for another job.

 

Ok, thanks for clearing that up. I realize the Cubs need players for spring training and to fill positions in the minors, but Perez really seems like a player for a team with a low budget desperate for anyone that can play SS.

[SouthSideRyan]

Meh, just a minor league deal and an invite to ST. Nothing confirmed yet. I doubt this will turn into anything major.

 

For most teams, that would be true. But this franchise has been more than happy to give lots of times to guys who deserved nothing more than a NRI to ST. You had the recently released from SF Neifi Perez, and the released in ST Glendon Rusch. Then you had a handful of other NRI with no upside guys, like Rey Ordonez, Tony Womack, Enrique (he knows how to play in yankee stadium) Wilson, that all got playing time.

 

In the big picture, it probably doesn't matter, but when this team signs worthless NRI guys, there's going to be a natural negative reaction out of fear that they'll actually play.

 

I agree with your overall point, but the year we signed the released in ST Glendon Rusch, he was tremendous for us. I actually like the concept of giving minor league deals to guys who once had a modicum of success, and hope you can get a decent half season off the bench/bullpen from him. But doing it with Dusty Baker was like giving a pyromaniac gasoline, a lighter, lighter fluid, the keys to a vacant building, and rubbing two sticks together to get him started.

 

You can take a gamble with pitching having a surprise year. Hitters who can't hit don't all of a sudden figure it out and start hitting. With pitchers there's at least a chance that a good pitching coach can find some flaws in delivery, mechanics, stuff and correct it. With hitters, if they are bad, they are bad. No hitting coach is gonna make Tomas Perez a good hitter.

 

No hitting coach is going to make Tomas Perez a good hitter, but a hitting coach could turn a Tomas Perez type into an adequate backup. I definitely don't want to see Perez anywhere close to the major league roster next year, but there is value in handing out a bunch of NRIs to guys who were at some point acceptable bench players.

[Bruce Miles]

The Tribune article is updated and it states something to the effect that Perez is expected to make the 25 man as a back up middle infielder. :x

 

Chicagosports.com Says

The newest Perez, 33, can play all infield positions and will attend major-league camp with expectations that he will be a backup infielder

 

Those are Perez's expectations. His situation will be similar to that of Grissom last year. If he has a great spring, he's got a shot. If not, the Cubs will give him the choice between Iowa or looking for another job.

 

Ok, thanks for clearing that up. I realize the Cubs need players for spring training and to fill positions in the minors, but Perez really seems like a player for a team with a low budget desperate for anyone that can play SS.

 

Maybe even all those spots are taken.

[rawaction]

Also an FYI, the only reason Marquis Grissom signing turned into nothing was because he retired. He had the final spot on the 25-man roster, but gave it up to Pagan.

 

Not really. The Cubs would have cut him had he not retired. He just made things easier for them and went out with a "retirement" instead of being cut.

 

I thought Dusty said the final spot would have been his. I could be wrong though.

[Bruce Miles]

Also an FYI, the only reason Marquis Grissom signing turned into nothing was because he retired. He had the final spot on the 25-man roster, but gave it up to Pagan.

 

Not really. The Cubs would have cut him had he not retired. He just made things easier for them and went out with a "retirement" instead of being cut.

 

I thought Dusty said the final spot would have been his. I could be wrong though.

 

Jim Hendry had a small say in the matter.

[CUBZ99]

Meh, just a minor league deal and an invite to ST. Nothing confirmed yet. I doubt this will turn into anything major.

 

For most teams, that would be true. But this franchise has been more than happy to give lots of times to guys who deserved nothing more than a NRI to ST. You had the recently released from SF Neifi Perez, and the released in ST Glendon Rusch. Then you had a handful of other NRI with no upside guys, like Rey Ordonez, Tony Womack, Enrique (he knows how to play in yankee stadium) Wilson, that all got playing time.

 

In the big picture, it probably doesn't matter, but when this team signs worthless NRI guys, there's going to be a natural negative reaction out of fear that they'll actually play.

 

I agree with your overall point, but the year we signed the released in ST Glendon Rusch, he was tremendous for us. I actually like the concept of giving minor league deals to guys who once had a modicum of success, and hope you can get a decent half season off the bench/bullpen from him. But doing it with Dusty Baker was like giving a pyromaniac gasoline, a lighter, lighter fluid, the keys to a vacant building, and rubbing two sticks together to get him started.

 

You can take a gamble with pitching having a surprise year. Hitters who can't hit don't all of a sudden figure it out and start hitting. With pitchers there's at least a chance that a good pitching coach can find some flaws in delivery, mechanics, stuff and correct it. With hitters, if they are bad, they are bad. No hitting coach is gonna make Tomas Perez a good hitter.

 

No hitting coach is going to make Tomas Perez a good hitter, but a hitting coach could turn a Tomas Perez type into an adequate backup. I definitely don't want to see Perez anywhere close to the major league roster next year, but there is value in handing out a bunch of NRIs to guys who were at some point acceptable bench players.

 

I don't see much value in a backup middle IF like Perez, considering the way the current Cubs are configured. They have Izturis, DeRosa, Theriot, Cedeno, and Patterson which are all superior options to Perez.

[frostwyrm]

The Tribune article is updated and it states something to the effect that Perez is expected to make the 25 man as a back up middle infielder. :x

 

Chicagosports.com Says

The newest Perez, 33, can play all infield positions and will attend major-league camp with expectations that he will be a backup infielder

 

Those are Perez's expectations. His situation will be similar to that of Grissom last year. If he has a great spring, he's got a shot. If not, the Cubs will give him the choice between Iowa or looking for another job.

 

Ok, thanks for clearing that up. I realize the Cubs need players for spring training and to fill positions in the minors, but Perez really seems like a player for a team with a low budget desperate for anyone that can play SS.

 

Maybe even all those spots are taken.

 

They are taken. We already have Izturis, Cedeno, and Theriot. Even at Iowa Perez would just be a waste of space.

[Bruce Miles]

The Tribune article is updated and it states something to the effect that Perez is expected to make the 25 man as a back up middle infielder. :x

 

Chicagosports.com Says

The newest Perez, 33, can play all infield positions and will attend major-league camp with expectations that he will be a backup infielder

 

Those are Perez's expectations. His situation will be similar to that of Grissom last year. If he has a great spring, he's got a shot. If not, the Cubs will give him the choice between Iowa or looking for another job.

 

Ok, thanks for clearing that up. I realize the Cubs need players for spring training and to fill positions in the minors, but Perez really seems like a player for a team with a low budget desperate for anyone that can play SS.

 

Maybe even all those spots are taken.

 

They are taken. We already have Izturis, Cedeno, and Theriot. Even at Iowa Perez would just be a waste of space.

 

Which is why you probably won't even have to worry about it.

[rawaction]

Meh, just a minor league deal and an invite to ST. Nothing confirmed yet. I doubt this will turn into anything major.

 

For most teams, that would be true. But this franchise has been more than happy to give lots of times to guys who deserved nothing more than a NRI to ST. You had the recently released from SF Neifi Perez, and the released in ST Glendon Rusch. Then you had a handful of other NRI with no upside guys, like Rey Ordonez, Tony Womack, Enrique (he knows how to play in yankee stadium) Wilson, that all got playing time.

 

In the big picture, it probably doesn't matter, but when this team signs worthless NRI guys, there's going to be a natural negative reaction out of fear that they'll actually play.

 

I agree with your overall point, but the year we signed the released in ST Glendon Rusch, he was tremendous for us. I actually like the concept of giving minor league deals to guys who once had a modicum of success, and hope you can get a decent half season off the bench/bullpen from him. But doing it with Dusty Baker was like giving a pyromaniac gasoline, a lighter, lighter fluid, the keys to a vacant building, and rubbing two sticks together to get him started.

 

You can take a gamble with pitching having a surprise year. Hitters who can't hit don't all of a sudden figure it out and start hitting. With pitchers there's at least a chance that a good pitching coach can find some flaws in delivery, mechanics, stuff and correct it. With hitters, if they are bad, they are bad. No hitting coach is gonna make Tomas Perez a good hitter.

 

No hitting coach is going to make Tomas Perez a good hitter, but a hitting coach could turn a Tomas Perez type into an adequate backup. I definitely don't want to see Perez anywhere close to the major league roster next year, but there is value in handing out a bunch of NRIs to guys who were at some point acceptable bench players.

 

I don't know what to argue against first. The chances that a hitting coach can change a 33-year old journey man into a valuable player. Or the fact that you believe a career .291 OBP and .634 OPS player was ever an acceptable player.

[rawaction]

Also an FYI, the only reason Marquis Grissom signing turned into nothing was because he retired. He had the final spot on the 25-man roster, but gave it up to Pagan.

 

Not really. The Cubs would have cut him had he not retired. He just made things easier for them and went out with a "retirement" instead of being cut.

 

I thought Dusty said the final spot would have been his. I could be wrong though.

 

Jim Hendry had a small say in the matter.

 

Couldn't tell most of the time.

[TheDude]

What would NSBB be without the alarmist responses to a no-name ST invite?

[CubsWin]

Meh, just a minor league deal and an invite to ST. Nothing confirmed yet. I doubt this will turn into anything major.

 

For most teams, that would be true. But this franchise has been more than happy to give lots of times to guys who deserved nothing more than a NRI to ST. You had the recently released from SF Neifi Perez, and the released in ST Glendon Rusch. Then you had a handful of other NRI with no upside guys, like Rey Ordonez, Tony Womack, Enrique (he knows how to play in yankee stadium) Wilson, that all got playing time.

 

In the big picture, it probably doesn't matter, but when this team signs worthless NRI guys, there's going to be a natural negative reaction out of fear that they'll actually play.

They all got playing time because the starters got injured. Why would you leave that out?

 

If your point was that we would have preferred to have gotten different and better back-up options, I agree completely with you. But the way you characterized it, the Cubs signed all those guys in order to give them playing time. And that's just simply not true.

 

Rusch was picked up on a lark, and Rothschild was able to get a really good season out of him in '04 and a 2/3 excellent, 1/3 terrible season out of him in '05. Not bad for a scrap heap revival. All the other guys were either signed as back-ups or gap fillers during a starters injury.

[SouthSideRyan]

Meh, just a minor league deal and an invite to ST. Nothing confirmed yet. I doubt this will turn into anything major.

 

For most teams, that would be true. But this franchise has been more than happy to give lots of times to guys who deserved nothing more than a NRI to ST. You had the recently released from SF Neifi Perez, and the released in ST Glendon Rusch. Then you had a handful of other NRI with no upside guys, like Rey Ordonez, Tony Womack, Enrique (he knows how to play in yankee stadium) Wilson, that all got playing time.

 

In the big picture, it probably doesn't matter, but when this team signs worthless NRI guys, there's going to be a natural negative reaction out of fear that they'll actually play.

 

I agree with your overall point, but the year we signed the released in ST Glendon Rusch, he was tremendous for us. I actually like the concept of giving minor league deals to guys who once had a modicum of success, and hope you can get a decent half season off the bench/bullpen from him. But doing it with Dusty Baker was like giving a pyromaniac gasoline, a lighter, lighter fluid, the keys to a vacant building, and rubbing two sticks together to get him started.

 

You can take a gamble with pitching having a surprise year. Hitters who can't hit don't all of a sudden figure it out and start hitting. With pitchers there's at least a chance that a good pitching coach can find some flaws in delivery, mechanics, stuff and correct it. With hitters, if they are bad, they are bad. No hitting coach is gonna make Tomas Perez a good hitter.

 

No hitting coach is going to make Tomas Perez a good hitter, but a hitting coach could turn a Tomas Perez type into an adequate backup. I definitely don't want to see Perez anywhere close to the major league roster next year, but there is value in handing out a bunch of NRIs to guys who were at some point acceptable bench players.

 

I don't know what to argue against first. The chances that a hitting coach can change a 33-year old journey man into a valuable player. Or the fact that you believe a career .291 OBP and .634 OPS player was ever an acceptable player.

 

You're going to argue that he wasn't an adequate bench player from '01-'03. I made it explicit that I don't want Perez on the team in my post.

[CUBZ99]

What would NSBB be without the alarmist responses to a no-name ST invite?

 

Its a pointless signing even if you want to brush it off. Its not like Hendry hasn't given worthless players a shot in the past and added them to the roster even though they didn't add anything to the team.

 

If Hendry had a track record of making good decisions and constantly building a winning team, signings like this would mean little.

[imb]

Speaking of Rusch, what's the word on him?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

What would NSBB be without the alarmist responses to a no-name ST invite?

 

Seriously, it's not like the paper that owns the Cubs implies he's getting a roster spot or anything....

[A New Era]

Maybe it's a PR move. Once the season starts and we go with Izturis at SS, well. . Izturis' #'s are GOLDEN compared to old Tom Perez.

[frostwyrm]

The Tribune article is updated and it states something to the effect that Perez is expected to make the 25 man as a back up middle infielder. :x

 

Chicagosports.com Says

The newest Perez, 33, can play all infield positions and will attend major-league camp with expectations that he will be a backup infielder

 

Those are Perez's expectations. His situation will be similar to that of Grissom last year. If he has a great spring, he's got a shot. If not, the Cubs will give him the choice between Iowa or looking for another job.

 

Ok, thanks for clearing that up. I realize the Cubs need players for spring training and to fill positions in the minors, but Perez really seems like a player for a team with a low budget desperate for anyone that can play SS.

 

Maybe even all those spots are taken.

 

They are taken. We already have Izturis, Cedeno, and Theriot. Even at Iowa Perez would just be a waste of space.

 

Which is why you probably won't even have to worry about it.

 

At the moment I'm not real worried about Perez making the big team, but it does bother me that Perez might get a lot of starts at SS in Iowa. Those starts should all go to younger better players.

[wade]

What would NSBB be without the alarmist responses to a no-name ST invite?

 

Boring.

 

Seriously, part of the attraction of this site is the passion. The conversations on this board often mirror the alarmist responses my brother-in-law and father-in-law share with each other over every little Cub move.

 

Believe me, I've got a lot of friends that are Reds fans that don't know they took on shot on the CF with the checkered past, but I do and I'm not a Reds fan, I just read this board!

[Wrigley Rat]

My personal opinion:

 

Tomas Perez was signed to backup SS at Iowa if Jason Smith is not returned to us (Rule V Pick). Otherwise, Gary Cates Jr. would have been the backup SS at AAA and most believe he is roster filler at AA and not a natural SS. If Smith is returned, Perez will be released.

 

Take it or leave it.