Perez in the running for the #2 spot in the lineup?

by teacher tom on Mar 15, 2006 5:58 PM CST

According to the Muskrat... Baker has four candidates for the No. 2 spot in the order: Jerry Hairston Jr., Todd Walker, Neifi Perez and Cedeno. "We want a guy who is a contact guy, a guy who is a double leadoff man in case Juan [Pierre] doesn't get on," Baker said. "You want some speed, a guy who makes contact and can hit and run." ...

Since when is Perez a double leadoff man? More like a doubleplay man. I liked Neifi's defense last year, but I'm really getting nervous seeing him discussed as a possible Cub's number two hitter. Prior, Lee, and now this. What a day. Right now I'd pick Hairston.

Poll

Who do you pick for the #2 spot in the order?

Jerry Hairston Jr.

17 votes

Todd Walker

38 votes

Neifi Perez

0 votes

Ronny Cedeno

2 votes

Marquis Grissom

1 votes

Al Yellon

11 votes

69 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

As I've said before

As far as I can tell, four guys ought to be up for that spot, and those four guys all should have a chance in it come the regular season. Walker and Murton deserve the most time there, with Barrett (who has hit well there in the past) and Cedeno also getting a shot.

My ideal lineup would be as follows:

Pierre
Murton
Lee
Ramirez
Walker
Barrett
Jones
Cedeno
Pitcher

That's all subject to change based on performance, of course.

AC036198

by gjdow on Mar 15, 2006 7:12 PM CST reply actions

I was the one who voted for Al..

I can't think of a better #@ guy than Al Yellon.

Anyone can have a bad century...

by Kinky Reggae on Mar 15, 2006 7:15 PM CST reply actions

Sorry about the poll,

that's supposed to be #2, not #@.

by teacher tom on Mar 16, 2006 8:39 AM CST up reply actions

Does Al have a Swear-Gard At Work?

by chasfh on Mar 16, 2006 1:35 PM CST up reply actions

Any logic?

Is there any logic at all to these particular four people (Jerry Hairston Jr., Todd Walker, Neifi Perez and Cedeno) being the #2 hitter candidates?

My guess is that Baker confused "second hitter in the lineup" with "second baseman."

by Molechaser on Mar 15, 2006 7:58 PM CST reply actions

Meh

Even if Walker stays a Cub, I don't like him in the #2 spot. There just aren't enough lefties in the line-up, so having two of them at the top of the order is just a bad idea. Mixing them up will really help later in games, especially when it comes to relievers. Here is what I'd like to see:

Pierre - CF
Murton - LF
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Jones - RF
Barrett - C
Walker - 2B
Cedeno - SS
Pitcher

by dmlichte on Mar 15, 2006 8:02 PM CST reply actions

Re

Well, that's about the most intelligent thing I've heard Dusty Baker say in a long time. It's too bad then he can't put the theory into pratical application. If he could, he'd take Perez and Cedeno off the list and, as noted above, put Murton and Barrett on it.

I don't have a problem with 2 LF batters at the top of the order. A LFer in the second spot helps hit behind the runner, and if Walker is at all able to go the other way, he'll have a bigger hole thru SS when Pierre is running, as it will be the SS covering the bag. Having such a 1-2 punch at the top is worth far more than worrying about forcing the other team's bullpen to get into matchups at the end of the game. And with a good bench (i.e., no Macias-like hitters), you just PH for Walker and send Neifi out for his defense.

The best thing a team can do is grab the lead early. MLB teams win, IIRC, ~65% of the time they score first. I'd gladly settle for 60% from the Cubs.

by Jed Taylor on Mar 16, 2006 1:42 AM CST up reply actions