Neifi Pérez

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Neifi Pérez

Neifi Pérez
Position Shortstop
Team Detroit Tigers
Years of Experience 11 years
Age 32
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight 195 lb (88 kg)
Bats Both
Throws Right
College N/A
2006 Salary $2,500,000
Place of Birth Villa Mella, Dominican Republic
Selection Amateur free agent, 1993
Drafted by Colorado Rockies
Major League Debut August 31, 1996

Neifi Neftali Pérez (born June 2, 1973 in Villa Mella, Dominican Republic) is a Major League baseball player. As of September 2006, Pérez plays for the Detroit Tigers. He has played with the Colorado Rockies (1996-part of 2001), Kansas City Royals (part of 2001-2002), San Francisco Giants (2003-part of 2004), and the Chicago Cubs (part of 2004-part of 2006). Pérez is good friends with former Colorado Rockies teammate Todd Helton. On August 20, 2006, Pérez was traded from the Cubs to the Tigers in exchange for minor-league catcher Chris Robinson. The Tigers were seeking a replacement for their injured second baseman, Placido Polanco.

In late 2004, after being signed to a minor-league contract by the Cubs (after he was released by the San Francisco Giants), Pérez was called up and September, and became a much needed spark plug in the lineup, going 6 for 6 in his first 6 at-bats as a Cub. Pérez is an excellent defensive shortstop and is considered above average defensively at second and capable at third. He won a Gold Glove at shortstop in 2000 while playing for the Colorado Rockies. Pérez is a switch hitter, and is better from the right side of the plate. Pérez is also known for his bunting and often attempts to bunt for base hits. However, during the 2006 season he attempted to bunt for a hit with two outs in the 9th inning, leading many to question his knowledge of the game.

Pérez's offense has attracted serious criticism, and has even led to him being the namesake of the Neifi Index. Despite a strong debut with the Cubs in 2004 and a strong start in 2005 which led to Dusty Baker deciding to make Pérez the everyday shortstop, Pérez' offensive numbers slowly descended closer to his career numbers. He ended 2005 with a below-average .681 OPS, almost identical to his career average. Statistically, his value comes through his defense and the depth he can add to a lineup. His offensive skills tend to be exposed over the course of a season as his numbers fall below those of others at his position.

Pérez occupied a special spot in Cubs' history long before he joined the team. In 1998, the Cubs were locked in a Wild Card race with San Francisco. After the Cubs lost their final regular season game at Houston, the Giants were poised to close out the Colorado Rockies to clinch the Wild Card spot. However, Pérez launched a game-winning tie-breaking homer off Giants' closer Robb Nen to force a tie between the Cubs and Giants. The home run came less than 2 minutes after the Cubs made the final out in Houston. The next day at Wrigley Field, Cubs defeated the Giants, managed by Baker, to advance to the playoffs.

Pérez signed a 2-year contract with the Cubs on November 8, 2005 for $2.5 million per season, however, was traded to the Detroit Tigers on August 20, 2006 for a minor league player and a bucket of baseballs. "He's a legitimate everyday player and an outstanding utility player," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said. However, he hasn't shown it since joining the Tigers, hitting an embarrassing .179 in 39 games, and playing mediocre defense.

Pérez has a brother, Rubby Perez, who is a popular singer in the Dominican Republic.

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