Fernando Perez has, himself, confirmed that he’s being sent to the Chicago Cubs in the Matt Garza deal. The 27-year-old outfielder has not been particularly productive over the last two years, but neither has he been particularly healthy. He’s a fast, high-OBP type, who can play solid defense in all three outfield spots (like I said, he’s Sam Fuld two years ago), and he’ll get a shot in Spring Training to make the Cubs as a fifth outfielder. He’s a guy that’s not so bad you’d complain to have him as your team’s 25th man, but he’s not a guy you’d make a move to get. The Cubs likely made the Fuld/Perez swap because, unlike Fuld, Perez does not have to go on the 40-man roster right away if the Cubs would prefer to leave a spot open. They can make the decision on Perez after ST, whereas if the Cubs wanted to deroster Fuld, they would have to subject him to waivers.
But far, far more importantly: Perez is a funny dude. Exhibit A is a YouTube clip where he’s interviewed as a Major League minimum guy, in a Daily Show-esque satire of ML salaries.
THAT was funny! The type of guy you need in the clubhouse to keep things loose in a high pressure city like Chicago.
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I don’t get it. What’s so funny. He’s just lucky he doesn’t have a family to feed on such a low salary. I don’t know how they get by with so little. And to be forced to sign autographs by hand. That’s just unconscionable. Since he is a Cub now perhaps we should get up a collection for him and all the other poor souls that are forced to work as slave labor. Shame on you Jim Hendry.
Who is the pitcher?
well, that settles it. if Perez is that funny, we got the better of the trade period. now if the pitcher is as funny we’ll be the team to beat.
that is great!…he instantly becomes the most likeable guy on the team… Sam Fuld never did anything close to that funny!
Aside from trying to play baseball.
Snap.
[...] as a Cub. I wish you nothing but the best, and I hope you keep your sense of humor about you. I found your YouTube video about minimum salary ballplayers to be quite hilarious. And, er, sorry about the “not a guy you’d make a move to get” stuff. I’m [...]