Defending playing Neifi

by rlpete on Jul 20, 2006 2:25 PM CDT

I'm sure this will result in a few flaming responses. Everyone complains about Baker playing Neifi but what options does he have?

Cedeno: Neifi is a better fielder and at least right now a better hitter. If Baker's job is to win games (and maybe until recently it was), Neifi is a better choice then Ronny. The minors is supposed to be where players learn and develop, right now Cedeno looks like he needs some development time.

Walker: Obviously Walker is a better hitter but if defense matters up the middle, Todd is a tough play. It does say something that Hendry tried to trade Walker before the season and no one wants him. Should Walker play over Neifi even with his defense, probably but after seeing last Sunday's game, I can see why Baker sometimes wants a more steady defender.

Womack: No discussion needed.

Theriot: Probably the new favorite choice. At this point, Ryan should play but earlier in the season, I can see not playing him. I really doubt he'll amount to anything. After all, 275 AB's and zero homeruns. I can see it now, teams will call the outfielders in and pitchers will roll the ball to him and say hit it. Unless he develops Pierre speed from the right hand side, he's never going to be a starter.

Now I'm not going to say Neifi is a good player. He isn't. He should never bat second. He's a terrible hitter. In fact, in some seasons he was the worst offensive player in baseball but it's not like Dusty is sitting Ryne Sandberg for Neifi. The Cubs roster is just bad. Time for Fontenot now.

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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Versus lefties

Neifi's ops is nearly twice that of Augie's. If people want to keep playing the kids, then they need to shut their mouth's & quit griping when the offense doesn't produce. The main culprits are these precious kids.

by CubFaninCA on Jul 20, 2006 3:21 PM CDT reply actions

Neifi should NEVER play

in favor of a prospect. That being said neither Theriot or Cedeno are prospects, so Dusty's boy can play all he cares to.

by Santos Sorrow @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jul 20, 2006 3:25 PM CDT reply actions

I agree...

...with all the points you make, BUT,I would rather have Doug Dascenzo come out of retirement and PITCH every single game for the Cubs than have to watch Neifi play one more game!

"Booze, broads, and bullshit. If you got all that, what else do you need?" - Harry Caray

by 10 14 23 26 on Jul 20, 2006 3:31 PM CDT reply actions

You are ABSOLUTELY right!!!...

... regarding Mo'wack as he was DFA'd on June 30.

Whassup, my cracka?

by Blood Brother on Jul 20, 2006 5:01 PM CDT reply actions

Not a flame...

Man, Neifi is a lightning rod for critical posts, but I think there is greater reason to play him now than there was previously. At the same time, the Cubs seemed to think that Cedeno was ready to get MLB ABs and I'd rather see him get a full season's worth of ABs, it doesn't matter to me whether that comes at SS or 2B.

I'd definitely favor playing Walker but he is toast after the comments on the error. Since that's the case I can see Neifi getting more time. It certainly keeps Dusty happy to have the better D.

Regarding the market for Walker, it's possible that the Cubs decided to go with better offense for a change. To me the team's offense looked mediocre at best prior to the season. I do not recall when Frucal signed with LA? Maybe once that happened the Cubs decided they needed the O from Walker, who knows?

by DudeVf1 on Jul 20, 2006 8:41 PM CDT reply actions

At this point...

Neifi shouldn't be playing over the kids, because the season's lost, you need to figure out what, if anything, you have for the future. People have all ready written off Murton and Cedeno after just half a season...but realistically, that's usually not a big enough sample size to make an adequate decision on a player. As an example, check out what Big Papi did in Minnesota.

Neifi also shouldn't be playing ahead of Walker right now. Making a guy ride pine as you try to trade him usually makes your job harder.

I can't stand Neifi, but I can see there are certain situations to play him. An OCCASSIONAL start, or a late inning defensive substitution don't bother me, so long as he's used in the right situations. Four or five starts a week and batting in the two hole is not the right situation.

"If it takes forever."

by JDay on Jul 21, 2006 2:11 AM CDT reply actions