"You really have to be thankful we have Neifi."

[Derwood]

Neifi has played 118 games for Baker this year.

 

If he is re-signed, expect him to start 4 games a week (at least), spelling either Nomar at SS or the second baseman.

 

And expect him to bat 2nd unless the Cubs do some serious retooling.

[erik316wttn]

Neifi has played 118 games for Baker this year.

 

If he is re-signed, expect him to start 4 games a week (at least), spelling either Nomar at SS or the second baseman.

 

And expect him to bat 2nd unless the Cubs do some serious retooling.

 

Exactly.

 

And while I don't necessarily disagree that Neifi would be an ok 25th man, he won't be as long as Dusty Baker is managing this team. He's one of Dusty's "toys" and will continue to be misused as long as Dusty is making the lineups. We have to get rid of him.

[oldcubsfan]

6 pages of posts about Perez, hard to believe. If anyone thinks this team stinks because of Neifi, well then .......

[ToupeeOnFire]

If the Cubs choose Neifi over Nomar I'm seriously going to consider being done with this team.

 

Why do you think Perez will be the starting shortstop next year?

 

Read the very first post in this thread. It said the Cubs are likely to not re-sign Nomar, and they'll probably bring back Neifi.

 

This is just speculation by Mike Kiley. Even though he is a Chicago Cubs beat writer, I doubt he has any more legitimate insight into Hendry's plans than any of us do. So I am not going to get too worked up about this just yet.

[UK1679666180]

6 pages of posts about Perez, hard to believe. If anyone thinks this team stinks because of Neifi, well then .......

 

Him starting is one of several reasons why this team has played below average.

[oldcubsfan]

6 pages of posts about Perez, hard to believe. If anyone thinks this team stinks because of Neifi, well then .......

 

Him starting is one of several reasons why this team has played below average.

Who would have been your ideal replacement?

[UK1679666180]

I would've rather have seen Cedeno start once Neifi started slumping, there comes a point when you realize he won't be able to keep up his outstanding play of April and will regress to his career numbers.

 

Plus, how does his lack of production as a starter diminish if he is the only/best option? B/c if he is the first or worst option and he is out there, it doesn't matter b/c he is still out there performing at a below avg. rate is he not?

[oldcubsfan]

I would've rather have seen Cedeno start once Neifi started slumping, there comes a point when you realize he won't be able to keep up his outstanding play of April and will regress to his career numbers.

 

Plus, how does his lack of production as a starter diminish if he is the only/best option? B/c if he is the first or worst option and he is out there, it doesn't matter b/c he is still out there performing at a below avg. rate is he not?

Below average rated based on what selective numbers? The Sox are winning with Juan Uribe starting and he's awful.

[UK1679666180]

Below average rated based on what selective numbers? The Sox are winning with Juan Uribe starting and he's awful.

 

Selective numbers? Nothing selective about the numbers. His VORP (which is the equiv. of 1 win over a AAAA/25th man) is only at 11 at this stage and he has been amazing defensively.

 

His .300 OBP has been a problem for this team, especially hitting 2nd for a bulk of the time in front of Lee.

 

If the Cubs had the starting pitching and bullpen of the Sox as well as playing in a less top heavy division as the NL central, they'd be able to perform well w/Neifi.

 

But, since they don't have the pitching of the Sox, they have to score more runs. Having Neifi in the lineup hurts the Cubs chances of scoring runs.

[oldcubsfan]

Below average rated based on what selective numbers? The Sox are winning with Juan Uribe starting and he's awful.

 

Selective numbers? Nothing selective about the numbers. His VORP (which is the equiv. of 1 win over a AAAA/25th man) is only at 11 at this stage and he has been amazing defensively.

 

His .300 OBP has been a problem for this team, especially hitting 2nd for a bulk of the time in front of Lee.

 

If the Cubs had the starting pitching and bullpen of the Sox as well as playing in a less top heavy division as the NL central, they'd be able to perform well w/Neifi.

 

But, since they don't have the pitching of the Sox, they have to score more runs. Having Neifi in the lineup hurts the Cubs chances of scoring runs.

 

Sorry, but I never heard of VORP and that is selectively picking a number. Neifi is still having a better year than Walker. His defense in an important defensive position has been outstanding. Maybe take a look at the pitching for the real trouble with this team, not Neifi and Macias, who both seem to be the favorite whipping boys of this site.

[UK1679666180]

Sorry, but I never heard of VORP and that is selectively picking a number. Neifi is still having a better year than Walker. His defense in an important defensive position has been outstanding. Maybe take a look at the pitching for the real trouble with this team, not Neifi and Macias, who both seem to be the favorite whipping boys of this site.

 

Neifi's defense at SS doesn't makeup the difference in offense between him and Walker. Now, that's an opinionated answer, I won't look at numbers since they're selective as is me saying Neifi is below avg. as a starting SS, I can look at numbers or I can go thru the 29 other rosters and still come to the same conclusion that I could easily find 15 SS I'd rather have over Neifi.

 

Which defines Neifi's ideal role, switch hitting PH/defensive replacement.

 

As far as taking a look at the pitching as the real problem, did I or did I not mention why the Sox can have a below avg. SS and still win?

 

I would not mind having Perez on the team next year, he's a solid 25th guy and a strong defensive replacement at 2B/SS. Increase his role and I think his abilities won't meet the demand of that role.

 

I think Perez and Macias have taken too much abuse, I think it should be more directed at the one putting them in their current roles than the actual players. You put two players who have a higher failure rate offensively into key spots (hitting 2 for Perez and key PH spots for Macias) and I don't blame the players for that unless they swing away at the first pitch or expand their zone.

 

Now, if you have a problem with how the site feels about a certain player, you're trying to start an argument with the wrong person for your global (well, NSBB) damnnation.

[Chris]

Maybe take a look at the pitching for the real trouble with this team, not Neifi and Macias, who both seem to be the favorite whipping boys of this site.

 

I brought this up in another thread recently. I do not enjoy people trying to make it out to sound as if the site picks a couple of players to beat up on. If you want to argue for a guy, argue for a guy because of his statistics, not because you feel that we have to have someone to pick on.

[sethuel1]

Below average rated based on what selective numbers? The Sox are winning with Juan Uribe starting and he's awful.

 

Selective numbers? Nothing selective about the numbers. His VORP (which is the equiv. of 1 win over a AAAA/25th man) is only at 11 at this stage and he has been amazing defensively.

 

His .300 OBP has been a problem for this team, especially hitting 2nd for a bulk of the time in front of Lee.

 

If the Cubs had the starting pitching and bullpen of the Sox as well as playing in a less top heavy division as the NL central, they'd be able to perform well w/Neifi.

 

But, since they don't have the pitching of the Sox, they have to score more runs. Having Neifi in the lineup hurts the Cubs chances of scoring runs.

 

Sorry, but I never heard of VORP and that is selectively picking a number. Neifi is still having a better year than Walker. His defense in an important defensive position has been outstanding. Maybe take a look at the pitching for the real trouble with this team, not Neifi and Macias, who both seem to be the favorite whipping boys of this site.

 

Don't back your comments up with statistics, or I'll be forced to say that they don't count.

[oldcubsfan]

Below average rated based on what selective numbers? The Sox are winning with Juan Uribe starting and he's awful.

 

Selective numbers? Nothing selective about the numbers. His VORP (which is the equiv. of 1 win over a AAAA/25th man) is only at 11 at this stage and he has been amazing defensively.

 

His .300 OBP has been a problem for this team, especially hitting 2nd for a bulk of the time in front of Lee.

 

If the Cubs had the starting pitching and bullpen of the Sox as well as playing in a less top heavy division as the NL central, they'd be able to perform well w/Neifi.

 

But, since they don't have the pitching of the Sox, they have to score more runs. Having Neifi in the lineup hurts the Cubs chances of scoring runs.

 

Sorry, but I never heard of VORP and that is selectively picking a number. Neifi is still having a better year than Walker. His defense in an important defensive position has been outstanding. Maybe take a look at the pitching for the real trouble with this team, not Neifi and Macias, who both seem to be the favorite whipping boys of this site.

 

Don't back your comments up with statistics, or I'll be forced to say that they don't count.

 

That's fine with me. I really don't care. I'll take .275 and 47 RBI with a low K rate with very good D from my sub infielder any day.

[sethuel1]

Below average rated based on what selective numbers? The Sox are winning with Juan Uribe starting and he's awful.

 

Selective numbers? Nothing selective about the numbers. His VORP (which is the equiv. of 1 win over a AAAA/25th man) is only at 11 at this stage and he has been amazing defensively.

 

His .300 OBP has been a problem for this team, especially hitting 2nd for a bulk of the time in front of Lee.

 

If the Cubs had the starting pitching and bullpen of the Sox as well as playing in a less top heavy division as the NL central, they'd be able to perform well w/Neifi.

 

But, since they don't have the pitching of the Sox, they have to score more runs. Having Neifi in the lineup hurts the Cubs chances of scoring runs.

 

Sorry, but I never heard of VORP and that is selectively picking a number. Neifi is still having a better year than Walker. His defense in an important defensive position has been outstanding. Maybe take a look at the pitching for the real trouble with this team, not Neifi and Macias, who both seem to be the favorite whipping boys of this site.

 

Don't back your comments up with statistics, or I'll be forced to say that they don't count.

 

That's fine with me. I really don't care. I'll take .275 and 47 RBI with a low K rate with very good D from my sub infielder any day.

 

that's fine with me. I really don't care. I'll reject a bottom 3 in MLB SS with overrated defensive skills based on his abilites when he was younger, coupled with some meaningless RBI numbers, a low K rate only because he swings at everything thrown, and a batting average that people can throw out to shield their arguments from the fact that he can't get on base.

[ltb]

Sorry, but I never heard of VORP and that is selectively picking a number.

 

awesome post.

 

since you've never heard of it, it's automatically invalid.

 

great point.

[frostwyrm]

That's fine with me. I really don't care. I'll take .275 and 47 RBI with a low K rate with very good D from my sub infielder any day.

Hmmm, valuing a player's offense based on batting average, RBI, and low K rate. If this were 1975 I would say that is state of the art thinking.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

While mentioning Cedeno as the shortstop of the future (who knows when ?), he also continued to show the love for Neifi Perez:

 

Youth served? If Nomar Garciaparra goes on the disabled list, the Cubs likely will recall shortstop Ronny Cedeno from Class AAA Iowa.

 

That doesn’t mean Cedeno will get a lot of playing time, as Dusty Baker reaffirmed his allegiance to backup Neifi Perez.

 

“It depends on where we are,” Baker said. “It depends on where we are in this race here. He (Cedeno) is most likely the shortstop of the future. I got a pretty good idea what he can do. I like the young man.

 

“As of right now, it’s hard to take Neifi out the way he’s playing. You got to reward the guys who busted their butts for you. That’s how it is, man.”

 

That's not how it is. That's ridiculous.

 

I'm happy with Neifi's performance as a backup and if I were assured that he'd be a backup in 2006, I think he'd be a good player to have back. Unfortunately, he will play everyday on a Dusty Baker team where there is no marquee player. He will never backup Cedeno.

[Larry Horse]

While mentioning Cedeno as the shortstop of the future (who knows when ?), he also continued to show the love for Neifi Perez:

 

Youth served? If Nomar Garciaparra goes on the disabled list, the Cubs likely will recall shortstop Ronny Cedeno from Class AAA Iowa.

 

That doesn’t mean Cedeno will get a lot of playing time, as Dusty Baker reaffirmed his allegiance to backup Neifi Perez.

 

“It depends on where we are,” Baker said. “It depends on where we are in this race here. He (Cedeno) is most likely the shortstop of the future. I got a pretty good idea what he can do. I like the young man.

 

“As of right now, it’s hard to take Neifi out the way he’s playing. You got to reward the guys who busted their butts for you. That’s how it is, man.”

 

That's not how it is. That's ridiculous.

 

I'm happy with Neifi's performance as a backup and if I were assured that he'd be a backup in 2006, I think he'd be a good player to have back. Unfortunately, he will play everyday on a Dusty Baker team where there is no marquee player. He will never backup Cedeno.

 

That's interesting, because given the amount of PT Cedeno had, I have no idea how anyone could have "a pretty good idea what he can do."

 

"You got to reward the guys who busted their butt for you."? Kind of like how they rewarded Murton.

 

Uuugghhhh. I wish Dusty would remain silent for the rest of his Cubs career. His contradictions just illuminate his ignorance.

[wastra]

Bottom line: Neifi makes an out 70% of the times he goes to the plate. That's just attrocious. Period.

 

He's infinitely worse at the plate than todd Walker as well. Whoever's trying to say he's better is living in a dream world.

 

And if anyone is trying to compare defense:

 

Neifi is better than Walker, but he's not exactly gold-glvoe caliber these days. He has a higher ZR, but lower fielding percentage and range factor than Walker. (I know, they aren't real telling stats, but it's not like Neifi is playing GG caliber out there. He's been adequate, nothing more.)

[CubDad4Ever]

I think the hate spewed for nefi is missplaced anger. He is way more than adequete as a fielder , i have watched him play every game this year. Great arm , sure hands , good range. He obviously lacks plate discipline, much like Jeff Francour, his slugging though allows his OPS to sit in 6th or 7th position in the NL. For a backup and underpriced athlete , he has done his job. He is not a top of the order guy. The angels who are in first have a player who is having a very similar year Cabrera. Pitching has been the cub problem all year. Quit the hate on a solid backup, who has stepped up. And get the cubs some healthy consistant pitching. Obviously the cubs need to improve their offense in the outfield and short if possible. Have a great day fellow faithful Baby Bruin followers. Our day will come

[Chris]

I think the hate spewed for nefi is missplaced anger. He is way more than adequete as a fielder , i have watched him play every game this year. Great arm , sure hands , good range. He obviously lacks plate discipline, much like Jeff Francour, his slugging though allows his OPS to sit in 6th or 7th position in the NL. For a backup and underpriced athlete , he has done his job. He is not a top of the order guy. The angels who are in first have a player who is having a very similar year Cabrera. Pitching has been the cub problem all year. Quit the hate on a solid backup, who has stepped up. And get the cubs some healthy consistant pitching. Obviously the cubs need to improve their offense in the outfield and short if possible. Have a great day fellow faithful Baby Bruin followers. Our day will come

 

Welcome to the Forum!

[soapy]

I think the hate spewed for nefi is missplaced anger. He is way more than adequete as a fielder , i have watched him play every game this year. Great arm , sure hands , good range. He obviously lacks plate discipline, much like Jeff Francour, his slugging though allows his OPS to sit in 6th or 7th position in the NL. For a backup and underpriced athlete , he has done his job. He is not a top of the order guy. The angels who are in first have a player who is having a very similar year Cabrera. Pitching has been the cub problem all year. Quit the hate on a solid backup, who has stepped up. And get the cubs some healthy consistant pitching. Obviously the cubs need to improve their offense in the outfield and short if possible. Have a great day fellow faithful Baby Bruin followers. Our day will come

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

The biggest problem I have with Neifi is his use. He is adequate as a backup, bottom of the order hitter. He is not adequate as a starter, or someone getting the amount of playing time he receives (including getting multiple starts at 2B in place of Walker).

 

You know what Neifi is going to give you. Which is to say, not much offensively, and respectable defense. That's all you should expect from him, and it should be in limited dosses. I'd much rather see Cedeno start over Neifi at SS if Nomar is DL'd. I'm certain that Cedeno could produce as much offensively and defensively as Neifi, with more upside/potential. The bad thing is, Dusty is absolutely in love with Neifi and will play him at every oppurtunity possible.

[CubDad4Ever]

Thanks for the welcome. I have loved this site for the past couple of years. It has been a great source of info for a lifelong fan. I am actually a huge farm system apologist and tend to support the use of younger talent. But a mix of players based on production is best. It does seem the cubs have had a difficult time producing talent that sticks in the field. The system has produced trade talent (LEE, Aram) I like what i have seen of Cedeno, i remember a lot of people , hammering him on the board two years ago for being put on the 40 man. Again i believe he will get his chance , unless they procure a ss (frucal). I think nefi has done a solid job . considering he was not brought in to start. God Bless ya all

[goonys evil twin]

I think nefi has done a solid job . considering he was not brought in to start.

 

I don't see the point in saying he wasn't brought in to start. He is the starter, and he's been awful. He is a terrible hitter, yet the manager likes to hit him at the top of the order. He's had his moments no doubt, but overall, he's sucked. The Cubs production out of SS has been severely lacking.

 

No, he is not a bad backup, but when you have a guy like Nomar starting, you need a backup who can start on a regular basis. People are mostly pissed that Neifi has played (and is paid) as much as he has, not that he is who he is. Good glove no hit SS are a dime a dozen.

 

The problem with this team is a combination of many things, but the biggest issue has been offense. They went into the season with a bad offense. It's been bad for years. Pitching has disappointed, however, it was mostly due to injury and miscast roles. The hitting was expected to be bad and they did nothing to improve it. Consider the fragile nature of pitching, I think it's negligent to put all your faith in that side of the team while ignoring the lineup (and using a terrible bench).

 

The failings on this team were largely preventable, even with the so-called unexpected injuries (every team has to expect some "unforeseen injuries" and the Cubs chose to rely on oft-injured players). And one thing that could have been prevented was going into the season with a bad offense, then putting one of your worst hitters atop the lineup for an extended period.

 

 

*oh, and welcome to the forum