Cubs, Neifi Perez agree on 2-year contract

[CubfaninCA]

Please trade for Jeff Kent and sign Furcal Hendry, and make Neifi a late inning defensive replacement & pinch hitter.

 

Walker, Patterson & Williams for Kent & Lowe please. Just give up on Burnett already.

[JeffH]

In your opinion, Bruce, will Neifi start over Cedeno?

 

This is how the whole thing will work.

 

The Cubs value Neifi. Hendry wants him to return as a backup. Neifi would prefer to be a starter and would likely get offers to start on the free agent market. To convince Neifi to stay and be a backup, Hendry gives him starter's money. There may also be some quid pro quo going on between Hendry and Neifi's/Furcal's agent.

 

(So far, everything's still OK. You may not agree with the money paid to him, but it's not a complete and total disaster yet. Keep reading.)

 

Dusty, placing a player's salary over his ability, will start Neifi instead of Cedeno at 2B. Hendry, saying that it's the manager's job to decide who plays, bends over and takes it like Ned Beatty scrambling up a hillside.

[CuseCubFan69]

Please trade for Jeff Kent and sign Furcal Hendry, and make Neifi a late inning defensive replacement & pinch hitter.

 

Walker, Patterson & Williams for Kent & Lowe please. Just give up on Burnett already.

 

Does the Chicago area have a nice looking news woman because I think it's in Lowe's contract that he gets one.

[BigbadB]

I said I would hold out until this offseason was over before I made my final judgment on Hendry, but he's making this very difficult for me.

 

Technically, Hendry could still put a formidable line up out there even with these signings. I could deal with Neifi if I knew he was just a back up. I could probably even deal with him as the everyday starter if we had Giles in RF, Bradley in CF, Murton in LF and Furcal at SS. But, Neifi would have to hit 8th and Cedeno would have to prove 100% that he couldn't play better than Neifi. What's the likelihood that the Cubs sign Furcal, Giles and trade for someone like Bradley? I would venture to guess no chance.

 

There is absolutely zero reason Neifi should have been resigned. There is absolutely zero reason he should have been resigned for such ridiculous money. One more roster spot wasted. One more guy who will be exposed to the Rule 5 draft. One more guy that Dusty will prefer over a rookie.

 

I'm biting my lip.

I personally cannot deal with having Neifi as the starter. I dont care who we sign or trade for having Perez here and starting when last year we had options like Nomar, Walker, and Cedeno is a bad idea.

 

When did Neifi ever start over Nomar and Walker? (Besides when they were injured)

 

Did you answer my previous question regarding Murton batting 2nd? Macias had more at bats in the top two spots in the order last year than Murton and Cedeno combined.

 

To answer your new question, it doesn't appear as though Nomar or Walker will be here next year. What we do know is that Hendry and/or Baker thought Enrique Wilson was a better choice over Cedeno last year. How many more at bats has Cedeno gotten since that time to prove he can be better than Enrique Wilson, let alone Neifi Perez?

[CubfaninCA]

I said I would hold out until this offseason was over before I made my final judgment on Hendry, but he's making this very difficult for me.

 

Technically, Hendry could still put a formidable line up out there even with these signings. I could deal with Neifi if I knew he was just a back up. I could probably even deal with him as the everyday starter if we had Giles in RF, Bradley in CF, Murton in LF and Furcal at SS. But, Neifi would have to hit 8th and Cedeno would have to prove 100% that he couldn't play better than Neifi. What's the likelihood that the Cubs sign Furcal, Giles and trade for someone like Bradley? I would venture to guess no chance.

 

There is absolutely zero reason Neifi should have been resigned. There is absolutely zero reason he should have been resigned for such ridiculous money. One more roster spot wasted. One more guy who will be exposed to the Rule 5 draft. One more guy that Dusty will prefer over a rookie.

 

I'm biting my lip.

I personally cannot deal with having Neifi as the starter. I dont care who we sign or trade for having Perez here and starting when last year we had options like Nomar, Walker, and Cedeno is a bad idea.

 

When did Neifi ever start over Nomar and Walker? (Besides when they were injured)

The man got 572 ABs what does that tell you? Cedeno was an afterthought. Baker made it clear that he would do everything in his power to get Neifi in the lineup.

 

It tells me Nomar & Walker were hurt a lot. Let bring both back tho.

[frostwyrm]

As I wrote in today's Daily Herald, Hendry has gone to the GM meetings wtih the idea of trading Walker. They'll make a push for Furcal. If they get him, they'll go with Cedeno at second base, but as I also wrote, somebody has to make it clear to the manager that Neifi is a backup.

"They'll" go with Cedeno? Who are "they"? I know Baker will NOT go with Cedeno, and I can't see Hendry issuing an ultimatum to Baker. Unless circumstances change significantly I am assuming the chance of Neifi securing a starting spot is 100%.

[CubfaninCA]

Please trade for Jeff Kent and sign Furcal Hendry, and make Neifi a late inning defensive replacement & pinch hitter.

 

Walker, Patterson & Williams for Kent & Lowe please. Just give up on Burnett already.

 

Does the Chicago area have a nice looking news woman because I think it's in Lowe's contract that he gets one.

 

Doubtful they're nearly as good looking as the LA one's, but Lowe survived playing in Boston.....

[YearofDaCubs]

I said I would hold out until this offseason was over before I made my final judgment on Hendry, but he's making this very difficult for me.

 

Technically, Hendry could still put a formidable line up out there even with these signings. I could deal with Neifi if I knew he was just a back up. I could probably even deal with him as the everyday starter if we had Giles in RF, Bradley in CF, Murton in LF and Furcal at SS. But, Neifi would have to hit 8th and Cedeno would have to prove 100% that he couldn't play better than Neifi. What's the likelihood that the Cubs sign Furcal, Giles and trade for someone like Bradley? I would venture to guess no chance.

 

There is absolutely zero reason Neifi should have been resigned. There is absolutely zero reason he should have been resigned for such ridiculous money. One more roster spot wasted. One more guy who will be exposed to the Rule 5 draft. One more guy that Dusty will prefer over a rookie.

 

I'm biting my lip.

I personally cannot deal with having Neifi as the starter. I dont care who we sign or trade for having Perez here and starting when last year we had options like Nomar, Walker, and Cedeno is a bad idea.

 

When did Neifi ever start over Nomar and Walker? (Besides when they were injured)

The man got 572 ABs what does that tell you? Cedeno was an afterthought. Baker made it clear that he would do everything in his power to get Neifi in the lineup.

 

It tells me Nomar & Walker were hurt a lot. Let bring both back tho.

No, it tells me that Baker did everything in his power to start Perez over Cedeno even though Cedeno was the better option. Yeah dude let's go by what you say, let's bring back Neifi and start him. We'll see how fast the season tanks next year.

[treebird]

I just found out about this now. I suppose I'm way behind. Oh well.

 

Jim Hendry is a giant dump.

 

I hate the Cubs. I'm going to save all the money I would've spent on going to Cubs games and fly out to Oakland every couple years.

[YearofDaCubs]

I just found out about this now. I suppose I'm way behind. Oh well.

 

Jim Hendry is a giant dump.

 

I hate the Cubs. I'm going to save all the money I would've spent on going to Cubs games and fly out to Oakland every couple years.

Good plan. The Cubs don't deserve our money.

[craig]

As I wrote in today's Daily Herald, Hendry has gone to the GM meetings wtih the idea of trading Walker. They'll make a push for Furcal. If they get him, they'll go with Cedeno at second base, ***but as I also wrote, somebody has to make it clear to the manager that Neifi is a backup.***

 

Seems to me that Hendry has made it abundantly clear in the past that he does *not* consider it is appropriate to be telling the manager how to use his roster. That he does not interfere with his manager's usage of players. That he hired Dusty and approves greatly of the way he has handled his players and the team throughout the actual circumstances that have existed.

 

On the face of it, I don't see *any* indications that Hendry would ever consider trying to "make it clear to the manager that Neifi is a backup".

 

Am I reading the situation too simplistically, Bruce? That behind the scenes Hendry might be trying to drive the manager's decision-making on how to use the roster Hendry provides him?

 

Or, for that matter, that behind the scenes Hendry might not be quite as enamored with Dusty's managing as his public statements have consistently suggested?

 

I just don't think Hendry is going to tell Dusty how to use Cedeno and Neifi. Dusty is the manager, he runs the team and runs the games and runs the roster. That's his domain of responsibility. I don't think Hendry is likely to butt into that kind of stuff.

[YearofDaCubs]

As I wrote in today's Daily Herald, Hendry has gone to the GM meetings wtih the idea of trading Walker. They'll make a push for Furcal. If they get him, they'll go with Cedeno at second base, ***but as I also wrote, somebody has to make it clear to the manager that Neifi is a backup.***

 

Seems to me that Hendry has made it abundantly clear in the past that he does *not* consider it is appropriate to be telling the manager how to use his roster. That he does not interfere with his manager's usage of players. That he hired Dusty and approves greatly of the way he has handled his players and the team throughout the actual circumstances that have existed.

 

On the face of it, I don't see *any* indications that Hendry would ever consider trying to "make it clear to the manager that Neifi is a backup".

 

Am I reading the situation too simplistically, Bruce? That behind the scenes Hendry might be trying to drive the manager's decision-making on how to use the roster Hendry provides him?

 

Or, for that matter, that behind the scenes Hendry might not be quite as enamored with Dusty's managing as his public statements have consistently suggested?

 

I just don't think Hendry is going to tell Dusty how to use Cedeno and Neifi. Dusty is the manager, he runs the team and runs the games and runs the roster. That's his domain of responsibility. I don't think Hendry is likely to butt into that kind of stuff.

I'm hoping the entire Chicago media rip Baker and Hendry a new one.

[treebird]

TWO YEARS FIVE MILLION?

 

WHAT?

 

I MISSED THAT THE FIRST TIME

 

no more making fun of jim bowden. ever. the cubs are insanely ridiculous. and "i decided i like guys who catch the ball?" what the hell does that mean?

 

you know what? i decided i like guys who aren't complete morons. which means i dont like jim hendry.

[WrigleyinEngland]

Oh christ levine is talking about getting mcdougal from KC. He did mention Dunn as a possibility not going to get my hopes up.

[rocket]

The Cubs are hopeless until there's a regime change.

[frostwyrm]

Nobody is going to strong-arm Dusty into changing his lineup. If Dusty wants to start Neifi over Cedeno, then Neifi starts.

[wekse]

god i hate this organization

[jjgman21]

Nobody is going to strong-arm Dusty into changing his lineup. If Dusty wants to start Neifi over Cedeno, then Neifi starts.

 

yes. I hate to disagree with our distinguished guest, but nobody...NOBODY...pays a middle infielder 2.5 M to be a backup.

 

my guess is he is this years Hollandsworth. he only signed with the Cubs because he was guaranteed a starting job.

[ToupeeOnFire]

Let me just add to the cacophony.... ](*,)

 

Heretofore, I've been pretty supportive of Hendry, at least willing to look past his fondness of the toothpicked one. No more.

 

This just signals to me that Hendry has no deuce of an idea on how to build a winning franchise and the sooner he is out, the better.

[rocket]

Oh christ levine is talking about getting mcdougal from KC. He did mention Dunn as a possibility not going to get my hopes up.

 

I refuse to believe that Hendry sees Dunn as anything but a guy with a low average and below-average defense who strikes out a ton.

[YearofDaCubs]

Oh christ levine is talking about getting mcdougal from KC. He did mention Dunn as a possibility not going to get my hopes up.

MacDougal would be a solid acquisition but he mentioned that last year too. Dunn obviously would be a great pickup but I have no faith in Hendry to pull those off.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Oh christ levine is talking about getting mcdougal from KC. He did mention Dunn as a possibility not going to get my hopes up.

 

I refuse to believe that Hendry sees Dunn as anything but a guy with a low average and below-average defense who strikes out a ton.

 

I'm not sure Dunn catches the ball well enough for Hendry to like him.

[treebird]

Oh christ levine is talking about getting mcdougal from KC. He did mention Dunn as a possibility not going to get my hopes up.

 

I refuse to believe that Hendry sees Dunn as anything but a guy with a low average and below-average defense who strikes out a ton.

 

he probably values his solid rbi totals though!

[UMFan83]

I don't see what the big deal is.

 

Neifi as a bench player isn't terrible. He's a good late inning defensive replacement at SS or 2B. He makes contact, although a lot of it is popups and groundouts. The money is a bit high, but whatever, it will work out.

 

 

Wait a second, they didn't fire Dusty Baker to go along with this signing? HAVE THEY GONE MAD???

[YearofDaCubs]

4th place in the division for a consecutive year.