Why are Neifi and Macias playing???

[Cubzfan64]

I'm sure this has been covered in other threads, but I'm absolutely disgusted that with us having no chance to get into any playoffs in 2005 we still see Perez and Macias on a regular basis (not to mention hitting 1 & 2 today!!)

 

I believe we have a pretty good idea what we can expect from both of them over the course of a season - wouldn't this be a perfect chance to let some kids play and find out what they can do facing major league pitchers - maybe find a diamond in the rough????

 

I know Baker is an "I play the veterans" type of manager, but for God's sake, doesn't logic dictate that you may as well use these last games to see what your young players can do? I can't believe he's stubborn & pigheaded enough to keep trotting those guys out there - I'm sure he's doing it out of "loyalty" to them or some other such horse dooky.

 

I'm disgusted with Baker for doing this at this point of the year where the team is - and I'm disgusted with Hendry for allowing it.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Baker is rewarding the dudes who have gotten us here. :roll:

[E.J.]

Just a note from the gamethread, Neifi and Macias were 0-8 today with only seeing 18 pitches all day between the two of them. Glad they're playing and especially glad they're batting 1 and 2 in the lineup.

[E.J.]

I found this funny from Rotoworld about D. Lee's good day at the plate:

 

Derrek Lee - 1B - Cubs

 

 

Derrek Lee went 2-for-3 with a home run and a walk today against the Astros.

It was a solo homer of course. Jose Macias and Neifi Perez combined to go 0-for-8 from the first two spots in the order. No. 7 hitter Matt Murton reached base twice in three plate appearances and has a modest 100-point advantage on Perez and a 123-point edge over Macias in OBP. Sep. 25 - 6:13 pm et

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I found this funny from Rotoworld about D. Lee's good day at the plate:

 

Derrek Lee - 1B - Cubs

 

 

Derrek Lee went 2-for-3 with a home run and a walk today against the Astros.

It was a solo homer of course. Jose Macias and Neifi Perez combined to go 0-for-8 from the first two spots in the order. No. 7 hitter Matt Murton reached base twice in three plate appearances and has a modest 100-point advantage on Perez and a 123-point edge over Macias in OBP. Sep. 25 - 6:13 pm et

 

It's amazing how oblivious Baker is to this. How can a human being be that clueless?

[Tim]

I want to see the riot play second and lead off the rest of the season. With Murton in the #2 hole.

[adamb0719]

It's amazing how oblivious Baker is to this. How can a human being be that clueless?

 

 

Does anyone think that Dusty does stuff like this just because "he can?" It is getting to the point where there is no possible way to rationalize his actions other than stubbornness, and not willing to admit he is wrong

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It's amazing how oblivious Baker is to this. How can a human being be that clueless?

 

 

Does anyone think that Dusty does stuff like this just because "he can?" It is getting to the point where there is no possible way to rationalize his actions other than stubbornness, and not willing to admit he is wrong

 

That thought has crossed my mind.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I want to see the riot play second and lead off the rest of the season. With Murton in the #2 hole.

 

I would enjoy that.

 

I'd be happy with Theriot getting a start at 2B and a start at SS.

[Derwood]

Maybe it has something to do with those knee pads and chapsticks found in Macias and Perez's lockers...

[frostwyrm]

I suppose we have to use one of Neifi/Macias, but not both. Putting these bums where they get more at bats than anyone else makes it worse.

[CubsWin]

I want to see the riot play second and lead off the rest of the season. With Murton in the #2 hole.

That would be nice. Why can't Dusty think of that? Just because he is forced to play one of either Perez or Macias due to injury does not mean that playing both of them, much less at the top of the order, is a good idea.

 

Come on, Dusty, play Theriot.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

It's amazing how oblivious Baker is to this. How can a human being be that clueless?

 

 

Does anyone think that Dusty does stuff like this just because "he can?" It is getting to the point where there is no possible way to rationalize his actions other than stubbornness, and not willing to admit he is wrong

 

That thought has crossed my mind.

 

it's just old skool mentality vs. common sense. bat high OBP guys 1 and 2? no way, i have a gut feeling that my veteran player is due. :roll:

[BigbadB]

I honestly believe Baker is sending those guys in there everyday thinking that the veteran leadership they provide (in his eyes anyway) will help him finish the year with a winning record. Which of course, would look good on HIS resume'.

[Tim]

To be fair:

 

One of the things that Dusty was brought in here to do was to turn around the perception of the franchise. I'm quite confident that in the minds of Hendry, MacPhail, Baker and the rest of the organization that reaching .500 on the year and finishing with a winning record is very important. And I honestly think that Baker feels that hitting Macias/Neifi in the top two spots in the order helps accomplish that goal.

 

That last sentence is the part that makes my head spin around.

[BigbadB]

To be fair:

 

One of the things that Dusty was brought in here to do was to turn around the perception of the franchise. I'm quite confident that in the minds of Hendry, MacPhail, Baker and the rest of the organization that reaching .500 on the year and finishing with a winning record is very important. And I honestly think that Baker feels that hitting Macias/Neifi in the top two spots in the order helps accomplish that goal.

 

That last sentence is the part that makes my head spin around.

 

Exactly. I wasn't making that statement to be mean or comical. I honestly believe that's the intention.

 

However, I don't know how anyone could come to the conclusion that earning a winning record on the last day of the season will all of a sudden turn what has been a horrible season, in my eyes, into a successful season.

 

You already know my opinion about that last sentence you wrote, so I'll spare yet another rant.

[Tim]

Is being a .500 team THE goal of Hendry, Baker, MacPhail & so forth? Obviously not. If you asked any of them, I'm sure they would all say that they're terribly disappointed with the way things turned out this season. However, I think it is important to note that the front office has often talked about the difficulties in turning around a "culture of losing". I think that with the playoffs out of reach, they are still trying for any victory they can achieve, however meaningless it might be to us right now.

 

I think they believe that winning is a habit that one has to cultivate. I think they believe that ending with a .500 record will do more for the franchise in the future than giving a "fringe" guy like Theriot 5-6 starts to end the year. Or the possibility of losing their first round pick next June because they get ranked outside of the top 15 picks.

 

Who am I to say that they're wrong? It is certainly my opinion that they're incorrect. I don't think it means all that much to end up 82-80 instead of 79-83. I think the draft pick means a lot. I think it would be nice to get a better feel if Ryan can handle a backup MLB job next year. But it's close enough that I can see their point of view and understand it.

 

I just can't understand the rationale that Macias gives a better chance to win these games than Theriot. I'm lost on that one.

[USSoccer]

If nothing else, what Hendry decides to do with his bench this offseason will be interesting. You have, in Cedeno and Fontenot/Theriot. two guys who make close to the league minimun who could at worst equal the productin we get out of Neifi and Macias. Will Hendry decide to trust the farm system he built, or bring back Neifi, Macias or both?

[bobbyd20]

i'm starting to think that Hendry needs to be sent out of town on the same flight as Dusty for allowing this madness to continue

 

Would anybody with connections to the Tribune execs let them know that I am willing to volunteer my services to help pack up boxes at Dusty's house and drive him to his next location if the moving expenses are a sticking point in the negotiations to get rid of Baker.

[CubfaninCA]

They're playing because they're the only guys who can stay healthy, and the organization wants to crack .500 and spin the season as a success because this was a transition year (No Sammy), and they had lots of injuries.

[bobbyd20]

They could have cracked .500 if they'd had someone else filling out the lineup card everyday...even with the injuries

[BigbadB]

They could have cracked .500 if they'd had someone else filling out the lineup card everyday...even with the injuries

 

I agree.

[Mark_R]

You can't sit these guys, they brought this team to where it is today :roll:

[muntjack]

I really hope/think that Hendry realizes a window is open for the cubs right now, but that window will soon be closing.

 

Perhaps we will only get one or two seasons where Prior, Wood and Zambrano are all pitching at the top of their game. Jim has to know this, and have all the other pieces in place if and when it occurs. He has done a good job of this so far, IMO.

 

This is why I think we will have a very eventful offseason.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I really hope/think that Hendry realizes a window is open for the cubs right now, but that window will soon be closing.

 

Perhaps we will only get one or two seasons where Prior, Wood and Zambrano are all pitching at the top of their game. Jim has to know this, and have all the other pieces in place if and when it occurs. He has done a good job of this so far, IMO.

 

This is why I think we will have a very eventful offseason.

 

Who cares if the offseason is "eventful" or not? Activity doesn't mean acquiring the right pieces. We are several (3+) years away from making a serious WS run. The lack of plate discipline and OBP on this team is truly astounding (encouraged by management). A couple offseason pickups aren't going to save us. Last year's FA debacle in the outfield assured that with this year's weak FA class, we will again be twiddling our thumbs come October.