The Sun-Times' Mike Kiley keeps writing that Neifi Perez is the projected starter at second base and Todd Walker is either the backup or, more likely, soon to be traded. The initial statement came just before Christmas. Kiley repeated the essential assertion on January 3 and again January 7 (hat tip on the latter article to View from the Bleachers).

Following the initial report, I wrote that Kiley had not cited a source and that it was more than likely Kiley's own projections. He still has not cited a source (even an anonymous one), but he keeps repeating the projection, which worries me. Thankfully, at this point, no one else appears to be reporting the same information.

Walker very may well be traded (though the lack of rumors involving his name points to his remaining with the Cubs), but if he is not, he should be the starting second baseman over Perez. Perez's defensive superiority does not make up for Walker's offensive superiority, especially when Perez will remain available as a late inning defensive replacement.

On a largely unrelated note, if you're looking for a Cubs blogger with a positive outlook on the 2006 team, read Agony & Ivy. Of course, if Perez ends up as the starting second baseman, put an extra mark on the side of the pessimists.