By Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com

The Cubs needed a guy that could kinda play third base and that kinda got that guy.

The Andy MacPhail pipeline remains open from Chicago to Baltimore as the Orioles send a guy who was carried off the field after getting hit in the head by a throw to the Cubs for a guy that can jump over parked cars, and can talk about that one time he, like, hit a home run.

Freel has some versatility. He plays more outfield than anything else, but can play second and third — again, a poor man’s Mark DeRosa. Very poor. Like, Enron poor, but nonetheless another backup possibility.

Here’s the book on Freel: .976 overall fielding percentage in 8 seasons — .940 fielding percentage at third base. He’s a .271 career hitter with high marks as follows: HRs (8 in 2006), RBIs (28 in 2004), OBP (.375 in 2004), intentional walks (1 in 2003).

He doesn’t strike out much, but he’s not in Chicago for his bat.