Cubs, Neifi Perez agree on 2-year contract

[CubsWin]

Sure, in our minds he was overpaid, as is Orlando Cabrera, but market forces are what they are.

 

What market? No one else had the chance to bid on Neifury.

The same thing an arbitrator would use, Geech. When a player goes to arbitration, no one is bidding on him, are they? The market is what other SSs with comparable stats are getting paid.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Sure, in our minds he was overpaid, as is Orlando Cabrera, but market forces are what they are.

 

What market? No one else had the chance to bid on Neifury.

The same thing an arbitrator would use, Geech. When a player goes to arbitration, no one is bidding on him, are they? The market is what other SSs with comparable stats are getting paid.

 

in that case Neifi should be getting 500k/year.

[JC]

 

Preach it, UK.

 

Finally. A religion I feel comfortable tithing to.

 

Can I tithe to it too, as a Cards fan? Even though Matt Morris is on UK's list of most loathsome baseball players? I always appreciate UK's baseball wisdom.

 

I've never heard of a religion that turns down money, regardless of the donor. The First Congregation of UK is likely no different.

[NewUserName]

OK i seen the thread and didnt want to read all 36 pages so if this has been said I am sorry.

 

 

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

 

I have tried to give Hendry the benefit of the doubt but he is now going to be put into Dustys territory in my eyes. They both must go. There is nothing you can say that would convince me this is a good move. Heck it isnt even a bad move, it is just plain AWFUL

[UK1679666180]

I can't rhyme on time, I'm not good at spreading the word or guiding the herd.

[USSoccer]

I can't rhyme on time, I'm not good at spreading the word or guiding the herd.

 

word.

[Soul]

Well, for anyone wondering what the answer to the great offseason Cubs question is: Will the White Sox winning the Series finally make the Cubs field a winner?

 

We have our answer.

[Mizzou]

Maybe this is Hendry giving Dusty one last chance to use the players in the right way before he cans him? Maybe? Okay, I admit I'm just looking for something positive in all of this.

[Careless]

Considering that Neifi got $1 million for 2005 and had a better season in 2005 than 2004, and that he can play 2b and SS quite well, his value was probably around $2 million. Heck his number's are just as good as Orlando Cabrera's.

 

Hopefully Hendry has deals in place for Abreu & CoCo Crisp & is on the verge of signing Giles and Furcal. :o

Neifi made way more than that with his incentives.

[Jon]

Considering that Neifi got $1 million for 2005 and had a better season in 2005 than 2004, and that he can play 2b and SS quite well, his value was probably around $2 million. Heck his number's are just as good as Orlando Cabrera's.

 

Hopefully Hendry has deals in place for Abreu & CoCo Crisp & is on the verge of signing Giles and Furcal. :o

Neifi made way more than that with his incentives.

The articles state that he made an additional $1.5 million in incentives based on PAs last year.

[nilodnayr]

Being, up until very recently, a HUGE Hendry supporter who over the last few months has began to realize that his great moves are completely counteracted by his horrible ones, relegating this team to certain mediocrity, this is the nail in the coffin for me. When even in a difficult market we have discussed multiple options to put a winner on the field, we proactively sign crap players. I can't believe that right now, I'd much rather have Jim Bowden as my GM.

[CubsWin]

Sure, in our minds he was overpaid, as is Orlando Cabrera, but market forces are what they are.

 

What market? No one else had the chance to bid on Neifury.

The same thing an arbitrator would use, Geech. When a player goes to arbitration, no one is bidding on him, are they? The market is what other SSs with comparable stats are getting paid.

 

in that case Neifi should be getting 500k/year.

On the extreme low end, I agree. Angel Berroa had a .305 OBP and a .680 OPS to Neifi's .298 OBP and .681 OPS, and he made exactly $500,000 last season according to espn.com. But he also played for the Royals who had the one of the lowest payroll's last season which agent's must take into account.

 

But then there are Orlando Cabrera (6 mil .309/.674), Jack Wilson (3.25 mil .299/.662), Alex Gonzalez of the Marlins (3.4 mil .319/.686) and Christian Guzman (4.2 mil .260/.574).

 

There are plenty of players who had similar OBPs and OPSs that were paid less than Neifi's 2.5 million like Cesar Izturis (2.15 mil .302/.624), Alex Cora (1.3 mil and a .275/.607), and Juan Castro (1 mil .279/.665).

 

Arbitrators also have to take into account the player's personal salary history and his most recent performance. While agent's take into account a given team's payroll and how much they can afford to spend.

 

So there are a lot of factors that go into determining what is a fair price to pay for someone's services.

[treebird]

Sure, in our minds he was overpaid, as is Orlando Cabrera, but market forces are what they are.

 

What market? No one else had the chance to bid on Neifury.

The same thing an arbitrator would use, Geech. When a player goes to arbitration, no one is bidding on him, are they? The market is what other SSs with comparable stats are getting paid.

 

in that case Neifi should be getting 500k/year.

On the extreme low end, I agree. Angel Berroa had a .305 OBP and a .680 OPS to Neifi's .298 OBP and .681 OPS, and he made exactly $500,000 last season according to espn.com. But he also played for the Royals who had the one of the lowest payroll's last season which agent's must take into account.

 

But then there are Orlando Cabrera (6 mil .309/.674), Jack Wilson (3.25 mil .299/.662), Alex Gonzalez of the Marlins (3.4 mil .319/.686) and Christian Guzman (4.2 mil .260/.574).

There are plenty of players who had similar OBPs and OPSs that were paid less than Neifi's 2.5 million like Cesar Izturis (2.15 mil .302/.624), Alex Cora (1.3 mil and a .275/.607), and Juan Castro (1 mil .279/.665).

 

Arbitrators also have to take into account the player's personal salary history and his most recent performance. While agent's take into account a given team's payroll and how much they can afford to spend.

 

So there are a lot of factors that go into determining what is a fair price to pay for someone's services.

 

Those are four horrible contracts. The players were not expected to perform as badly as they did when they were signed. Neifi is hoped to perform at the level. Nobody thinks those are good contracts.

 

Except maybe our moron of a gm.

[Geech]

Among shortstops with at least 400 outs recorded, Neifury's .234 equivalent average placed him 14th of 16. Only Jack Wilson and Adam Evertt were lower, and this is in Neifi's career year. Neifi's saving grace this year was his glovework, but even that was uncommonly good. He's not likely to give as good performances in either category next year, which pretty much makes him junk.

[CubsWin]

Sure, in our minds he was overpaid, as is Orlando Cabrera, but market forces are what they are.

 

What market? No one else had the chance to bid on Neifury.

The same thing an arbitrator would use, Geech. When a player goes to arbitration, no one is bidding on him, are they? The market is what other SSs with comparable stats are getting paid.

 

in that case Neifi should be getting 500k/year.

On the extreme low end, I agree. Angel Berroa had a .305 OBP and a .680 OPS to Neifi's .298 OBP and .681 OPS, and he made exactly $500,000 last season according to espn.com. But he also played for the Royals who had the one of the lowest payroll's last season which agent's must take into account.

 

But then there are Orlando Cabrera (6 mil .309/.674), Jack Wilson (3.25 mil .299/.662), Alex Gonzalez of the Marlins (3.4 mil .319/.686) and Christian Guzman (4.2 mil .260/.574).

There are plenty of players who had similar OBPs and OPSs that were paid less than Neifi's 2.5 million like Cesar Izturis (2.15 mil .302/.624), Alex Cora (1.3 mil and a .275/.607), and Juan Castro (1 mil .279/.665).

 

Arbitrators also have to take into account the player's personal salary history and his most recent performance. While agent's take into account a given team's payroll and how much they can afford to spend.

 

So there are a lot of factors that go into determining what is a fair price to pay for someone's services.

 

Those are four horrible contracts. The players were not expected to perform as badly as they did when they were signed. Neifi is hoped to perform at the level. Nobody thinks those are good contracts.

 

Except maybe our moron of a gm.

Oh, I agree. All I'm saying is that good or not, underperforming players or not, those contracts still set the market.

 

Bottom line, Hendy just paid 2.5 million for a bench guy. Is that a lot? You bet, especially when you compare it to other teams who have much smaller payrolls than the Cubs. But the only question that matters is can the Cubs afford it? I don't know. I guess we'll see.

[Guest]

Maybe this is Hendry giving Dusty one last chance to use the players in the right way before he cans him? Maybe? Okay, I admit I'm just looking for something positive in all of this.

I'm not sure there is a right way to use Neifi.

Edited November 9, 2005 by Anonymous

[NorthsideAvenger]

Maybe this is Hendry giving Dusty one last chance to use the players in the right way before he cans him? Maybe? Okay, I admit I'm just looking for something positive in all of this.

I'm not sure this is a right way to use Neifi.

 

How about sending him undercover as "Abraham Nunez" and have him cork Albert Pujols bat's?

[Guest]

Maybe this is Hendry giving Dusty one last chance to use the players in the right way before he cans him? Maybe? Okay, I admit I'm just looking for something positive in all of this.

I'm not sure this is a right way to use Neifi.

 

How about sending him undercover as "Abraham Nunez" and have him cork Albert Pujols bat's?

It's just crazy enough to work.

[CubsWin]

Maybe this is Hendry giving Dusty one last chance to use the players in the right way before he cans him? Maybe? Okay, I admit I'm just looking for something positive in all of this.

I'm not sure this is a right way to use Neifi.

 

How about sending him undercover as "Abraham Nunez" and have him cork Albert Pujols bat's?

It's just crazy enough to work.

That brought an audible chuckle for me. If you can make me laugh on the day my house got burgularized, that's something. Good work.

[Mizzou]

Maybe this is Hendry giving Dusty one last chance to use the players in the right way before he cans him? Maybe? Okay, I admit I'm just looking for something positive in all of this.

I'm not sure there is a right way to use Neifi.

 

Sure there is - to make coffee, grab Dusty more toothpicks, give random high fives, etc.

[Geech]

Oh, I agree. All I'm saying is that good or not, underperforming players or not, those contracts still set the market.

 

Bottom line, Hendy just paid 2.5 million for a bench guy. Is that a lot? You bet, especially when you compare it to other teams who have much smaller payrolls than the Cubs. But the only question that matters is can the Cubs afford it? I don't know. I guess we'll see.

 

Regardless of what other shortstops make, it's a bad signing for the Cubs, since Cedeno can provide comparable performance for much less.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Maybe this is Hendry giving Dusty one last chance to use the players in the right way before he cans him? Maybe? Okay, I admit I'm just looking for something positive in all of this.

I'm not sure this is a right way to use Neifi.

 

How about sending him undercover as "Abraham Nunez" and have him cork Albert Pujols bat's?

It's just crazy enough to work.

That brought an audible chuckle for me. If you can make me laugh on the day my house got burgularized, that's something. Good work.

 

Well the Cubs ALSO got burgularized from perez, so atleast you're not alone in that feeling.

[CubsWin]

Has anybody seen these quotes from Neifi? Jeez, if he gets the starting job over Cedeno, it won't be because he was lobbying for it.

Perez said he believes Cedeno is ready to start on an everyday basis.

 

"He's good and he's going to get better," Perez said. "I don't know what they're going to do, but he impressed me. He can play in the big leagues. I don't think he needs more time.

Neifi then gives those of us who believe that Dusty has a fear of the unproven player some more evidence, not that we need any...

"The manager (Dusty Baker) sometimes goes for the veteran guys, but I'm going to do anything I can to help him out. I just want to win and do this thing together. I don't care who's there. Let's play together and win games."

It also appears that Neifi might serve a dual purpose next season. He'll be the back-up infielder...

Hendry would have a surplus of infielders if he signs Furcal, suggesting Todd Walker could be traded, Ronny Cedeno moved to second and Perez switched back to his utility role. If the Cubs can't come to terms with Furcal, Cedeno will be given an opportunity to start at short, with Perez serving as his backup.

And he'll play Jack Haley to Furcal's Dennis Rodman...

Perez, 32, who quietly stepped in as a mentor to the Cubs' young Latino players following Moises Alou's departure, would be asked to make sure Furcal avoids the same kind of off-the-field mistakes he made in Atlanta.

Not only that, but he also may serve as an ambassador between Hendry and Furcal...

Perez's signing bodes well for the Cubs' chances of snaring Furcal, who would become the speedy leadoff man the team has lacked since Kenny Lofton's departure after 2003.

 

Perez, whose two-year, $5 million deal was made official Tuesday, wasn't at all concerned about the probability he'd see a lot less playing time if Furcal signs with the Cubs.

 

"I talked to him [Monday] night and I told him I would be happy for him to come to the Cubs," Perez said. "I know what he can do to make the team win. When you've got a guy like Furcal at the top of your lineup, a lot of things happen. He could be on base two or three times for Derrek Lee and Aramis [Ramirez]."

Yeah, too bad you couldn't be on base that often, Neifi.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

 

"I talked to him [Monday] night and I told him I would be happy for him to come to the Cubs," Perez said. "I know what he can do to make the team win. When you've got a guy like Furcal at the top of your lineup, a lot of things happen. He could be on base two or three times for Derrek Lee and Aramis [Ramirez]."

Yeah, too bad you couldn't be on base that often, Neifi.

 

I like my sig better.

[CubsWin]

Oh, I agree. All I'm saying is that good or not, underperforming players or not, those contracts still set the market.

 

Bottom line, Hendy just paid 2.5 million for a bench guy. Is that a lot? You bet, especially when you compare it to other teams who have much smaller payrolls than the Cubs. But the only question that matters is can the Cubs afford it? I don't know. I guess we'll see.

 

Regardless of what other shortstops make, it's a bad signing for the Cubs, since Cedeno can provide comparable performance for much less.

Your statement only makes sense if Cedeno isn't starting. What if Cedeno is starting like so many articles are saying he will? Someone is going to have to back him up. Whether its Cedeno and Walker or Furcal and Cedeno, someone is going to have to be the back-up SS.

 

Kind of off-topic, I'm hoping that Cedeno can provide much more than a "comparable performace" to what Neifi could do. :wink: