The Rangers react to the news that Phil Nevin has been traded.Proving he has a pulse (no matter how feint), Cubs GM Jim Hendry made a Blockbuster trade today, sending Jerry Hairston the Lesser to Texas in exchange for Phil Nevin a preowned copy of the Chronicles of Narnia DVD and a jumbo box of Junior Mints.

Nevin, tearing up the junior circuit to the tune of a .216 batting average is excited about the chance to bitch about a lack of playing time for his third team in two seasons.

Everything I’ve heard is that Dusty Baker is a player’s manager and I expect that since I’m a player, I’ll play every day and if I don’t, then you’re gonna hear about it.  I have a very shrill speaking voice and I say ‘bro’ a lot, so get used to it.  I also hate catching, even though I ended up having to learn to catch when I washed out with the Astros, but I don’t like to do it.  If I have to do it, I’ll bitch, bro.  I also wear sunglasses all the time.  Get used to it, bro.  I’m really excited about being a Cub though.  This is gonna be great.  I’m gonna turn things around 360 degrees, bro.

Yeah, this is going to be great.

On paper, this move makes sense.  Nevin is, as Rick Pitino most famously said, “multiversatile” and can play first, third, both corner outfield spots and can catch, though poorly.  But then again, not any more poorly than he plays anywhere else.  He also will fit in to a Cubs’ lineup that is running short of guys trying to jack every pitch off the rooftops.  So if you missed that, well, it’s like Christmas for you.  Only shittier.

This move should be good news for the Cubs.  Nevin can play first base until Derrek Lee comes back, then platoon in right field with Jock Jones.  We know Jock can’t hit lefties with a canoe paddle, and Nevin has an .873 OPS against lefties this year.  Which isn’t great, but a damn sight better than the .669 OPS he has against northpaws.

But, you know that’s not going to happen.  No, Nevin’s going to steal at bats from both Todd Walker and Matt Murton.  Murton and Walker are only the only current Cub hitters with a clue, and it’s not like Murton needs all the development time he can get.  Instead, you’ll see Nevin at first most nights until Lee gets back with Walker on the bench and new Dusty fave Tony Womack at second.  Then, when Lee comes back, Murton can sit next to Walk while Nevin flails around in left field.

What’s worse?  Fearing that it might happen that way, or pretending it won’t, but knowing it will?

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