NEIFI PEREZ!?!?!? The Official Cubs Moaning Thread

[FormerHoya]

Why must my favorite team strive to make me hate them? Mark my words, he gets more starts than Ronny Cedeno this year...

More on Neifi...
www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/

Check out those top ten strikeout ratio finishes...
www.baseball-reference.com/p/perezne01.shtml


I'm disappointed, but I expected it. Can you expect disappointment? Wouldn't that defeat it? Why is my brain ruined my Jim Hendry? Why am I asking rhetorical questions?

[SFHoya99]

Dude, my teams traded for Vinny Castilla. Expect no freakin' sympathy, here.

[FormerHoya]

sfhoya99 said:

Dude, my teams traded for Vinny Castilla. Expect no freakin' sympathy, here.

Did you see the transaction oracle name for Castilla? It was awesome.

Vinny Cashstealer. Love it.

www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/padres_acquired_vinny_cashstealer/

Also, thanks for your message, brought a smile to my face, the pain of others always makes me feel a little better.

[FormerHoya]

Synopses of Cubs offseason thus far.

Sign Neifi: Phew... Got that out of the way. Didn't want that bidding war to start.

Sign OVerpriced old lefty and righty reliever: Check.

Lose out on bidding for older than he says he is drunk: Check.

Send away 3 prospects (I know, TINSTAAPP) for leadoff guy who is arbitration eligible and who doesn't get on base: Cubs management is hailed as decisive and wise.

Thanks goodness for the best-in-the-NFC Bears.

[Joe Hoya]

Hey, you almost traded an oft-injured youngster for a proven All-Star right fielder.

God, why would the Phillies even think of trading Bobby Abreu for this Prior kid?

I love Bobby, but when I read that story I was already reminiscing about the "days of yore" when Abreu was a Phillie and getting psyched to see Prior in red pinstripes. Alas, 'tis not to be.

Oh, and the Bears are 9-3 while Seattle is 10-2. The Bears have no discernible offense. How are they the best in the NFC? That said, I'm rooting for them.

[Gold Hoya]

Trying to convince myself to be optimistic - from www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=4647:

The Cubs ended the Corey Patterson era by trading three young pitchers to the Marlins for Juan Pierre. The Cubs, who wasted big power years by Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez by having brutal OBPs in the top two lineup spots, fix that problem with a player who should be good for a .340-.350 OBP. Pierre’s off year in ’05 was largely the result of a drop in batting average, to a career-low .276. Just 28, he should get some of that back, making him a viable leadoff hitter.

[FormerHoya]

The Bears are the best because I say they're the best. In my magical fantasyland they're finishing the season without another loss, clinching home field advantage where their lack of an offense isn't as evident due to the terrible conditions on the field.

Leave my fantasy-land alone, other than that I'm trying to get excited about a bango-hitting leadoff guy that doesn't walk...

If they actually get Aubrey Huff on purpose, unless Baseball decides that the whole "testing for steroids" thing isn't going to happen anymore, I will declare this season over.

I won't care that Scoop Jackson calls me racist when I am screaming for Dusty to be shown the door.

[hoyarooter]

The Cubs' bullpen additions were signed due to the karma effect. After all, what do Eyre and Howry have in common?

All together now: They both used to play for the White Sox!

Seriously, I think you should be happy with those signings. Howry had a surprisingly strong season for the Indians, and Eyre has been tough on lefties for years. One really never knows what to expect from relief pitchers from year to year, but I think these guys could be a big upgrade.

[FormerHoya]

I know, although the White Sox thing is worrisome (Matt Karchner anyone?) they should be upgrades to the stiffs in the pen last year (who wouldn't be). I'm a little more angry at the waste of money in going after those guys. Thery're gonne be good, but not that good. I feel like the bullpen is a place that with good scouting you can get some better deals...

[Jack]

Thank God Jim Bowden is not going to be hired by the Red Sox- this Soriano deal is brutal. Trading for an expensive, horrible defensive second baseman with declining park-inflated offensive numbers, when second base is not a position of need (hello Mr. Vidro), and giving up a valuable yet undervalued CF when several teams are in need of such a commodity in the process? Looks like unloading Castilla was just a fluke, you may now resume demonstrating no understanding of how to build a competitive baseball team on a limited budget, Jim. Hope Woody Paige is keeping your seat warm at Cold Pizza.

[One]

Hey Jack
Stop trying to hijack our thread with your woe-is-me Nats/Red Sox issues. We Cubbies fans have enough to worry about with a potential double play combination of Neifi Perez and Jerry Hairston. We dont have time for Jim Bowden and bad trades involving Edgar Renteria. I wish Hendry had given up a garbage prospect for Edgar instead of letting Schuerholz beat him to the punch, as usual. If Furcal was worth $10 M a year to Hendry, Renteria should have been as well.

[SFHoya99]

Andy Marte is not a garbage prospect, but we get your point.

[One]

You're right, SF, Marte is an excellent prospect. The Neifi/Hairson/Walker double play combo possibilities have me thinking irrationally about baseball this offseason. Is it too early to say I already hate the 2006 Cubs? The way this offseason is going, Formerhoya, with the SS and RF situations, it may not be too early.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

I am very angry that Marte got shipped from the Braves. He was supposed to be the future at 3rd base. I guess this is what happens when your team is a part of AOL TimeWarner thanks a lot Steve Case - you idiot.

[FormerHoya]

one said:

You're right, SF, Marte is an excellent prospect. The Neifi/Hairson/Walker double play combo possibilities have me thinking irrationally about baseball this offseason. Is it too early to say I already hate the 2006 Cubs? The way this offseason is going, Formerhoya, with the SS and RF situations, it may not be too early.

Didn't you hear? We got Juan Pierre. Everything will be fine. [puking emoticon]

[FormerHoya]

With Pierre and Jaque in the outfield, how can the Cubs ever lose? When have the French lost anything!?!?

I agree with One. I am well on my way to hating this year's team. Again. And it will increase along with Neifi's playing time (when he is starting by May, I'll wear the White Sox stockkng cap my stupid, stupid Dad bought me).

[hoyarooter]

Your dad sounds like a very bright guy.

[Gold Hoya]

formerhoya2 said:

And it will increase along with Neifi's playing time (when he is starting by May, I'll wear the White Sox stockkng cap my stupid, stupid Dad bought me).

You'll never actually do that, no matter how much you hate the 2006 Cubs (and while they will suck, they won't be as hateable as the 2004 Cubs).

[FormerHoya]

Goldhoya, I agree with you generally, but never say never. These guys could be very hateable.

Seeing Jaque's bat flip 18 times this year sure will be sweet though...
[we really need a vomiting emoticon]

[One]

Hooray, our fears about the outfield mess were all for nothing. The Marquis Grissom signing will solve everything. Seriously, this organization is such an effing joke. I cant believe I'm going to follow this team again this year.