This is my first entry on CubsNet, and I feel like venting a bit on Jerry Hairston, and Hendry because not enough people are. So, here I go...

Throughout the off-season, I have heard so many trade rumors involving Todd Walker (Thank God that didn't happen), and none involving Hairston. My question is "Why?" He is, in my opinion, the most over rated, and one of the most overpaid members of the team.

Now, Hendry's latest problem is agreeing with Will Ohman, who in my opinion was one of the better/best reliever on the team last year. He wants 775 thousand, that's less then what they paid Jose Macias, and much less then what they paid MANY relievers with worse numbers then he had. Hendry won't budge an extra 100 thousand or so? Can't he just pull this out of Hairston's salary?

In 2005, Todd Walker made 2.5 million, and Nefi Perez made 1 million, and now they are paying Hairston 2.3 million? Who came up with this number? The guy had 380 At Bats in 05' - with less then 100 hits and 46 Strike Outs. There is NO WAY that he is worth as much as Walker, and more than twice as much as Perez is. Why?

Now the latest involving Hairston is that he should be the Cubs starting second basemen because of better defensive numbers, and because last year he was only "75 percent." Last year Hairston played 44 games at second base, with a fielding percentage of .971, and 23 double plays. Walker played in 97 games at second, with a fielding percentage of .985, and 44 double plays. So, if you figure Hairston to have played as many games at second base than he did, he would have gotten a few more double plays then walker did – but made almost as many errors (1 less) in half the games. Superior defense? Not by much. IF, and that’s a big if, Hairston was playing at “75 percent” last year, as he has said, his offensive numbers still wouldn’t be that great. He said “I feel like I’m 25 again.” I hope not. In 2001, he played in 159 games with a full 532 at bats. Impressive? Not when you bat .233 and get more than 70 strikeouts. As far as speed goes, Hairston has never stolen 30 bases in a season, and only once, in 2001, did he come close.