It is rare that I meet seemingly innocuous happenings with glee, for after all, what matter, if I may make an example, does the trade of an all-leather-no-stick reserve middle infielder make when considering the grand scheme? However, when the dealt individual has been such a symbol of the organization's perverse misunderstanding of what makes a good baseball player, and when said deal manages to net a return that represents what could one day be a player of some actual utility, one's feelings can get away from one.

Such is the case today, as the disturbingly overvalued Neifi! was sent to, of all places, Detroit, for A-ball catcher, Chris Robinson. That Perez was dealt at all is surprising enough, but that he brought back someone who could conceivably see time in the Majors within the next five years, and perhaps even be of some use, is nothing short of miraculous.

I hesitate to say this signals a sudden shift in the organization's evaluative process. First, I'd imagine that, for whatever reason, the Tigers were the ones starting the discussions (I've seen nothing to make me believe the Cubs fail to retain their odd glove-love with Sir Bang), and second, if the team wants to bring Wade Miller up to the big club - which, agree with it or not, they certainly seem intent on - space needs to be made on the forty-man, and the cynic in me thinks that roster real estate was more of a motivation than any realization, like "Goodness, gracious! We've committed $2.5M to a defensive replacement next year!"

Still, whether a taste of things to come, or simply a lunatic's fleeting moment of lucidity, it is a moment to be savored by all who would call themselves Cub fans. By all accounts, Neifi! is a very nice man, but this team doesn't need good fellas, it needs good players, and that is one thing, nice as he is, that Neifi! simply is not.