Cubs Trade Neifi: Party at my place
Yesterday, the Cubs traded Neifi Perez to the Detroit Tigers for single-A catcher Chris Robinson. Wow. I've never been one of Neifi's biggest fans, and in fact, some might think that I'm a Neifi basher. Well, those people are right. But really, Neifi sucking has little to do with Neifi. Neifi's a solid backup shortstop that's good with the glove but lousy at the plate. By all reports, he's a great guy in the clubhouse and his teammates loved him. Check out this glowing eulogy of his departure.
Dusty Baker continually misused Neifi, and he's the one who should be blamed for Neifi's lack of success. Neifi should never, ever, bat second, and he should never start more than once per week; even if the starting shortstop is injured. If the starter is injured (Nomar, anyone?), that's when you go out and acquire someone else to start. It's that simple. And when Neifi doesn't start, Baker often used him as the first bat off the bench. That's ridiculous. There's a famous study going around that suggests Neifi is the worst hitter of all time. That's a little exaggerated and unfair, as the worst hitters of all time don't last in the majors long enough to accumulate so much sucktitude. But as far as everyday players that have lasted 10+ years in the majors, Neifi is the worst hitter among them. And that's the guy Jim Hendry rewarded with a two-year contract this offseason. Brilliant move by Hendry.
On the bright side, this may be Trader Jim's shrewdest move since he became GM. Getting the Tigers to take the last year of Neifi's contract. Despite all the negatives I listed about Neifi, I bet Jim Leyland will use him right. With Polanco out, he'll probably start for the last six weeks of the season. But I bet dollars to doughnuts he doesn't bat higher than 9th in Leyland's lineup. Then next year he'll be little more than a defensive replacement. Which is what he should have been all along.
I don't want to waste any more words on Neifi Perez. He's gone. Time to move on and perhaps do a keg-stand. Later!