A Sign of the apocalypse?

The Cubs did the smart thing today and signed Neifi Perez...

The Cubs agreed to a $1 million, one-year deal with Neifi Perez, who could earn an additional $1.5 million in performance bonuses.

Ok I was being sarcastic. 1 million dollars? And a chance at an extra 1.5 million? Talk about throwing money into a black hole. I am a pretty good fielder who can't hit his way out of a paper sack. Can I get a job on Dusty Bakers team for a cool $1 million?

Time for the money quote...

"He's a great fit in a lot of ways for us," general manager Jim Hendry said. "He can play an extended period of time for us. We could play him at second or short. He's ideal for a swing role, and he's a great defender off the bench and a runner when he's on base."

That is awesome. An extended period of time! He is a great swing player in the mold of Jose Macias and Lenny Harris! But the last line is hilarious, "...and a runner when he's on base." I am getting excited already.

Oh but Hendry made it clear after his glowing appraisal of this fine one of a kind SS that he was going to be signed anyways...

"Our intention was to sign Neifi no matter who is at shortstop," Hendry said. "At worst, you have a real talented guy coming off the bench filling in at second or short. That has really nothing to do with who else we pursue at shortstop."

We might need a definition of talented in this case. The Cubs again make a tragic case of spending too much on too little. No hit defensive SS's are a dime a dozen. Ask Augie Ojeda. And those guys come in at $300,000 a year. Every organization has more talented players than Neifi Perez in their minors. That is why guys like Perez, Macias, Harris, etc. bounce around teams.

You want to know who is the worst player on the 25 man roster? Your looking at him now. Welcome aboard Neifi, I am sure us Cubs fans will grow to enjoy you hitting #2 and maintaining the fine traditions of Lenny Harris and Jose Macias in hitting .250 with a sub .300 OBP from that spot.