Dusty Baker and Jerry Hairston, Jr. made some strange comments yesterday, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. (HT: Chicago National League Ball Club.)

First Hairston, who is frustrated with not playing as much as he would like: "[Hairston] conceded the season has been a 'disappointing' experience for him. 'I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed, because I want to play,' Hairston said. '… I really thought I would fit here. But it hasn't worked out, I guess.'"

It hasn't worked out? What is he talking about? When Hairston arrived in Chicago, there was no expectation that he would start. In actuality, due to injuries and his good play, he has started a good number of games and is currently 8th on the team in plate appearances. Perhaps Hairston has a good argument that he should be playing even more (though it's not clear where), but you do not make that argument in the paper, unless you lack proper consideration of the manager's leadership and a consistency of purpose with your teammates. Hairston apparently wants the leftfield job, but that would mean a significant drop in slugging average from the Hollandsworth/Dubois platoon. Hairston gets points for a good on base average (.362), but his overall offensive and defensive capabilities are not so high that it is unreasonable to keep the current platoon in left in place.

On to Baker's comments, dealing with Hairston and the leftfield job: "Baker is not interested [in playing Hairston in left], saying it was the most difficult outfield position to learn."

Leftfield is more difficult to learn than centerfield? Even if that were true, the difference is negligible. It's still the outfield. Moreover, Hairston has experience with all three outfield positions. He started 8 games in left for Baltimore last year, 25 more in rightfield, and has started 24 games in center last year and this year. No one has accused him of being the best defensive outfielder, but he doesn't need to "learn" the three positions.