By Dave van Dyck
The Cubs traded fan favorite Jake Fox and little-used infielder Aaron Miles to Oakland today for right-handed pitchers Jeff Gray and Ronny Morla and infielder/outfielder Matt Spencer.
Cubs' GM Jim Hendry called Gray a "power arm who can come in and compete in the bullpen" when the team reports to spring training.
"He's got the stuff to be able to pitch in any area of the bullpen if he would harness it better," Hendry said.
The Cubs traded fan favorite Jake Fox and little-used infielder Aaron Miles to Oakland today for right-handed pitchers Jeff Gray and Ronny Morla and infielder/outfielder Matt Spencer.
Cubs' GM Jim Hendry called Gray a "power arm who can come in and compete in the bullpen" when the team reports to spring training.
"He's got the stuff to be able to pitch in any area of the bullpen if he would harness it better," Hendry said.
Gray (0-1 with a 3.76 ERA in 24 relief appearances
for Oakland last season) was the only one of the three added to the Cubs' 40-man
roster ahead of next week's winter meetings in Indianapolis.Gray, 28, had a
1.54 ERA and 16 saves at Triple-A Sacramento.
Morla, 21, was 1-7 in Class A last season. Spancer, 23, hit .289 with 19 homers at the Class A and Double-A levels.
Fox hit .259 for the Cubs, but had no position. Miles hit .185 while being slowed by injuries after signing a two-year free-agent contract in the offseason.
The Cubs traded Fox to "help him and maximize his abilities" by being able to be a designated hitter, Hendry said.
As for Miles, he was on the outs with manager Lou Piniella going back to spring training. He is owed $2.7 million for 2010, so moving his salary helps the Cubs trim some of their payroll and eliminate a player who would have seen little playing time.
Morla, 21, was 1-7 in Class A last season. Spancer, 23, hit .289 with 19 homers at the Class A and Double-A levels.
Fox hit .259 for the Cubs, but had no position. Miles hit .185 while being slowed by injuries after signing a two-year free-agent contract in the offseason.
The Cubs traded Fox to "help him and maximize his abilities" by being able to be a designated hitter, Hendry said.
As for Miles, he was on the outs with manager Lou Piniella going back to spring training. He is owed $2.7 million for 2010, so moving his salary helps the Cubs trim some of their payroll and eliminate a player who would have seen little playing time.
All Bears news delivered to your mailbox on Friday and Monday mornings. 
When sports news breaks, be the first to know. (To get alerts on a mobile device, text CHISPORTS to 31286.). 
Get our updates on 
No trade clause. Like that stopped any team from moving a player under similar conditions. Players waive no trade clauses all the time.
And who would be on first? Try a host of young players that could be had for Zambrano or Lee. Young players with a future.
This team needs to rebuild period. More Youth with a sprinkle of veterans.
Fox will have better numbers than Soriano? As long as Soriano stays healthy I wouldn't worry about Jake Fox out playing him. Are you sure that Fox's drop off was due to Lou not playing him every single game? I think it could also be the fact that the league got a good look at him and realized that he can't hit breaking pitches very well. Fox saw a lot more off-speed pitches and breaking balls in the second half and his numbers dropped according.
And maybe Lou didn't play him every single day because he wasn't doing a good job figuring out how to hit the breaking ball, and leaving him in to go 0 for 4 with 3 Ks each game isn't the way to teach a youngish hitter how to hit? Just because a player is young and shows some potential doesn't mean they will automatically get better the more they play. And as for moving Fox around position wise, that is the whole point. Fox didn't have a single position, which is why he was considered a better DH. And I'm sure Fox was fine with playing where ever the club needed him to play. I mean, the alternative was to go back to Des Moines where he could play firstbase and hit .400. I think most players would choose the big league club over the minors any day!
As for your comments about trading Lee and Zambrano, how could you trade them when they have no-trade clauses? And if you do manage to trade them, who would play first and who would take Z's spot in the rotation? Firstbase is not a problem for the Cubs right now, and there will be some big-name firstbasemen available soon enough, so there's no need to create a hole out of nothing.
Sorry Cubs fans but suffer some more.
Jake Fox will have more at bats and more rbi's than Soriano and whatever other bum of the month they trot out in left.
Fox had his average drop off in 2nd half of the season but
that was due to Uncle Lou's brilliant platooning. He played him in three different positions never allowing him to settle into one position.
If the Cubs had any forsight they would have unloaded Derek Lee and Carlos Zambrano. Lee's age and bounce back year had some value. Zambrano is over-rated and schizoid.
But expect Hendry to bumble, he seems to be good at it these days. No reason why they should demand excellence, they are great at losing.
Once again, the Cubs trade away an average youngish player and the idiots freak out! We traded Lou Brock like 50 years ago....get over it all ready! Not every average youngish player we trade away is going to become Lou Brock. Remember last year when we traded Ronny Cedeno? There were people who were calling for Hendry's head because they thought that we should have held on to Cedeno and he would be a better player if only Lou had played him more. How'd that work out? Are you wishing that we had Ronny Cedeno back now? Of course not! Same goes for guys like Felix Pie, Kevin Hart, Garrett Olson, Rocky Cherry, Scott Moore, Bobby Hill, and Hee-Seop Choi. Want any of those future Hall of Famers back?
And for all of you Hendry bashers out there, every GM is going to make mistakes and bad moves at some point in their careers. The worst things a GM can do is to stand by their mistakes and keep on making the same mistakes over and over again. Sure, Miles stunk with the Cubs, but wouldn't a bad GM say something like "We expected Miles to have a better year last year, so we are keeping him around in hopes that he will do better next year"? The fact that Hendry is trading away all the bums who came in last year and didn't perform well shows that he doesn't stand by his mistakes.
If you're going to cry about a GM who makes mistakes and bad moves, then you are going to cry no matter who is the GM. Personally, I'd much rather have a guy in there who makes mistakes, but then takes steps to get the best out of those mistakes rather than someone who makes mistakes and stands by them over and over again.
Fox sucked last year in the second half once pitchers figured him out. His numbers were inflated enough from his first half to still be decent at the end of the season. I have a feeling he will bounce back and forth between the minors and majors next year at Oakland. Miles warmed the bench here and he will in Oakland. Besides, this wasn't really about the players we got in return. This move was about MONEY folks. Trimming salary- that's it. They are setting up a bigger move such as bringing in Granderson or someone of that nature. People need to stop having tunnel vision and start seeing the bigger picture.
DOESN'T MATTER WHO THEY GET RID OFF OR END UP GETTING...THE SENILE OLD MAN IS STILL RUNNING THE SHIP AND LARRY WORTHNOTHING IS IN CHARGE OF PITCHERS...THIS TEAM AIN'T GOIN' NO-WHERE!!!
People keep talking about Jake Fox like he's a 19 year old phenom in the minors. He's going on 28 years old and never got consistent time in the majors... for a REASON! This is not the next Lou Brock trade for the Cubs.
People keep talking about Jake Fox like he's a 19 year old phenom in the minors. He's going on 28 years old and never got consistent time in the majors... for a REASON! This is not the next Lou Brock trade for the Cubs.
Jake Fox is a hard worker, but I agree he's better suited to the American League. He may make a great DH at some point in his career and he won't get that chance with the Cubs. Sometimes you need to give up someone good to get something good. We also found someone willing to give us something for Aaron Miles.
Did anyone watch Soriano in left field this last year? I think Fox could field much better and hit much better if given the opportunity. They should have released Soriano and kept Fox. Or maybe given him away for some minor leaguer. The Cubs are going to ship Bradley out for Burrell then send Burrell to Mets for a second baseman. Who isn't a power hitter. How are the Cubs going to make up the power in the right field slot then?
16 - 0 for the 2009 - 10 NBA season? "The Sports Betting Champ" John Morrison: His story is almost unbelievable: He Wins 97% of his NBA & MLB sports bets, rakes in $70 K a week! You have to Check it out! http://www.LasVegasSportsBettingGuru.com
mike...don't let the door hit you in your behind....another unfaithful cubs fan of the fanwagon, thank god. Or maybe you are actually a Cardinals fans but you just trying to be a troll.
Hey Mike. His name is "Jake" Fox, superfan.
Sorry about saying Morla spent 3 seasons in AAA is was supposed to be A ball.
Analysis:
HENDRY: Stupid signing of Miles and has to pay someone to take him off your hands. Traded Fox and all you could get were three bums??? In trading Fox Hendry said: "help him and maximize his abilities". Hendry you are supposed to be helping your employer, the Cubs, not everyone else!!! Duh!
GRAY: 28 yr old pitcher who bounced between the majors and minors all last year. Hendry calls Gray a "power arm who can come in and compete in the bullpen" and "He's got the stuff to be able to pitch in any area of the bullpen if he would harness it better"! Great a 28 yr old project!
MORLA: 3 minor league seasons and he is still in AAA. There's a prospect for you.
SPENCER: 23 yrs old who the A's just got last year and he is still in A/AA ball. Another prospect for them to hype.
BOTTOM LINE: Cubs gave away Fox for nothing.
Can't wait to see who Hendry will have to get rid of in order to unload another mistake (Bradley).
Harden as a closer? The guy has shown that he can't stay healthy for a whole season. Let's say that Harden was brought back to close for a 3-4 year contract for 8 million per and he gets hurt or has a terrible year. How many Cub fans including yourself blame Hendry for shelling out another "ridiculous" contract?
You traded Jay Fox?
There are actual Cub fans out side of the city limits of Chicago who are now becomming Cards and Brewer fans.Count me as a Cards fan after 40 years of Cub pain. The Cubs have the worst pithing coach, a general manager that has no loyalty to the fan's. Has no vision and is 100% a company man. Henry thinks the Cubs have a pitching staff.
He could not see Harden as a closer? New owner same insanity. Your ball park has the worst bathrooms in sports and the ticket buying fans are Yup's who walk around during innings instead of watching the game. The Cubs have gone to the dogs. Turner for the Bears is the other Chicago idiot who will turn Bears fans to heaven forbid, Packer Fans. Go Sox, go Blackhawks go Bulls, go Cards, go Brewers.
You traded Jay Fox?
There are actual Cub fans out side of the city limits of Chicago who are now becomming Cards and Brewer fans.Count me as a Cards fan after 40 years of Cub pain. The Cubs have the worst pithing coach, a general manager that has no loyalty to the fan's. Has no vision and is 100% a company man. Henry thinks the Cubs have a pitching staff.
He could not see Harden as a closer? New owner same insanity. Your ball park has the worst bathrooms in sports and the ticket buying fans are Yup's who walk around during innings instead of watching the game. The Cubs have gone to the dogs. Turner for the Bears is the other Chicago idiot who will turn Bears fans to heaven forbid, Packer Fans. Go Sox, go Blackhawks go Bulls, go Cards, go Brewers.
Not a bad deal.
After a decent start, the league figured Fox out in the second half (.228/.285/.419/.704). That's bad. He did provide some pop which is nice, but little else. Played a few positions-- all poorly. They really weren't going to get much for the guy.
Losing Miles swings the deals to the Cubs favor.
Hendry would have been better off just releasing Miles (another Hendry mistake) and traning Fox for something more than those three. Gray is not a kid and still pitching in the minors at 28 yrs old. Hendry is setting up the bullpen with more arms so he has a place for, Hendry's favorite son, Samardcija in the starting rotation. Oh God we are going to suck in '10. That's why all the GMs in baseball like Hendry and don't want him to be fired, he's good for all the other teams. Last winter he did the same thing, collected arms and then gave them away for nothing (i.e. Vizcaino and others). Ricketts is certainly staying away from the operations side of it, should have fired Hendry first.
Sure did read "Moneyball" ... and the only thing that book forgot to take into account is what every Major League and Minor League front office person knew... Oakland players juice... big time.
The running joke in baseball is that Oakland's Minor League affiliates used to have steroids on the post game spread.
Why does everyone bad mouth Jake Fox's fielding? Granted, he is not a star fielder, but he played very solid at a lot of positions. In fact, an argument can be made that he was one of the Cubs most versatile players last year.
Seems to me that if anything, his hitting is more suspect as he seemed to have some trouble with breaking and off-speed pitches. But then many "starters" do as well. Soriano! Plus, he was a rookie and a great "team" guy. But cubs management never seems to factor in those intangibles which make winning teams.
Good luck Jake. You did a good job as a rookie.
I'm embarrassed to be a Cubs fan when my fellow brethren talk sh** that they know nothing of. Stop hating on Aaron Miles the guy had a rough go here but do you know what his numbers were like before hand? No probably not, but his career average was over .300 as a STARTER for the Rockies, who by the way, made the playoffs unlike our beloved team. The guy is a major leaguer for a reason. I'm not saying he was a good pickup for the Cubs but stop discounting him and calling him names that he doesn't deserve. "Holy Cow" that called Miles a dog I hope you burn in hell without a family to mourn you.
Fox was a good bench player but could not field well, and didn't come through much when the club needed him most. He could hit yes, but when the Cubs were either ahead by 5 or down by 8. Timing is key and he wasn't clutch. Watch the key-situation tapes for him. The guy swings over the ball as if he's afraid the ball will explode if he makes contact. A good player with no place in Chicago due to no vacancy at any position. The fact that Hendry found these guys a team to go to and contribute and get something back in return is a good move. Frees up payroll space and brings back prospects that can help deal in the future. Get off his back and get off their back. Know your sh** before you start giving expert advice which none of you have. If you did you'd be making millions as a part of the organization.
Thank you and have a nice day.
Jim Hendry are you nut? What drugs were you on when you blew this one??????? You signed Miles, a super move, now you get rid of him and Fox.
Trade yourself. There must be a semi-pro team that needs you.
Idiot
Gray is a good young arm who seems to have found his niche in the pen. As far as Fox goes, it's not like we are giving away a potential .300-40-100 guy. He is exactly who we saw last year, and let's be honest, he is terrible defensively. There is nowhere to hide this guy enough to get 300-400 ABs out of here this year.
@Tom Cotner: Can we stop with the DP Lee stuff? If .305-35-111 and a .972 OPS isn't good enough for you, not to mention a .995 fielding percentage, do us all a favor and stop rooting for the Cubs.
This is a good trade for both sides, the Cubs pick up badly needed pitching and get rid of that bum Miles. However, I expect Fox to light em up next year as he is a hitter when given a chance to play regularly and he fits right into the Billy Beane catagory of players who don't look like players.
@Oh Nooooooo
The season doesn't start tomorrow. More work to be done.
This is a good move. The Cubs need to rebuild the farm and getting a couple of young arms to add depth was a good move. The bonus is moving Miles and his 2.7M contract.
Fox was a pretty good player but not a cornerstone. He had to go. It's not like he is a everyday player. Those that mindlessly oppose the trade stop treating this guy like Lou Brock.
What does hendry spend most of his time on? Improving the team or correcting his mistakes? The best move hendry could make for the cubs is to leave. The cubs need a GM who can evaluate talent and make deals that improve the team. Hendry has never, ever done this and seems to be incapable of it. He is Andy Mcphails continuing curse on the cubs.
Good trade, got rid of Miles who they never should have signed. Traded Fox who they didn't have a position for.
Got back Jeff Gray who looks like a decent bullpen prospect. He has a career minor league avg. 3.17 K/BB ratio which is good, a 1.184 WHIP and a 3.38 ERA over his minor league career. Not to shabby.. Looks like something finally click at AAA becasue his ERA dropped like a rock from 2008. His K/BB ratio in the majors is 4.6/1 which is nice in limited action.
Looks like the guy is hittable, but doesn't walk a lot of batters and is capable of striking people out. Sounds like a 7th or 8th inning guy you bring in at the start of an inning.
Ronny Morla sounds like warm body they threw in to balance out the deal...
Matt Spencer has decent numbers, and from the look of his playing time in the field, he looks like a back up corner outfielder and a back up at 1st base for Lee.
I can accept this deal to free the team of Miles...
I agree with those who say that this was a move more about Miles than Fox: i.e. another crappy move by Hendry that cost us a decent bench player.
God forbid Castro is included in any salary dump deal...
Only cub fans overrate average/below average players like fox,derosa,sam fuld.While the other teams have highley touted prospects who actually play great when they hit the big leagues IE: David Wright,Robinson cano,Evan longoria.Cubs fans cry about jake fox Who SUCKED.Great job hendry you're the man,cut the dead weight and get ready to make these big time moves to get us to the upper echelon and the promised land.Once again excellent job hendry now if you could get rid of Hoffpauir and bradley you will be forgivin by my family.
Jim Hendry should have lost his job already. Signing guys like Soriano and Bradley who eat up half our payroll, only for what? So we can buy out his contract just to trade the guy. Gimme a break Cubs fans... Hendry doesn't recognize talent if it hits him in the head.
Jake Fox is not a backup infielder and was not a backup option for Aramis or Lee. He will likely be a very good DH. I hope Hendrey got enough for a guy that will be a productive, low cost DH. Since none of us are minor league scouts we will have to wait and see what these guys can do. 2 of them have nice minor league stats so who knows.
Great trade jack fox sucked anyway and miles was the most useless cubs player last year.Opens up some room to get BJ upton or granderson.
It seems every time someone gets traded all of you fans cry and say "there goes the franchise." Please, Fox will be just another 20-25 hr guy hitting .260 and can't field a lick. Be thankful Miles is gone. Period. You people better get a grip.
We haven't even had the winter meetings yet and everybody is acting like our roster is already set. Sure, Jake Fox was a good utility player, but he didn't have a position. If he was a good enough defensive player, he would have played everyday. Stop acting like we lost a gold glover.
We have to shed salary to dump the moron in right field... unfortunately, this is a move that had to be made.
Ever read Moneyball? Billy Beane just fleeced to Cubs. Fox will become the next Jason Giambi in Oakland...
Hendry hands out another bad contract to Miles and we have to loose Fox to dump Miles. Great move by Hendry, just fantastic. Jimbo should pack his bags. Who's next? Starlin Castro packaged with Bradley? Fox isn't a great player but he's productive, can fill in at 3b when Aramis gets hurt every year, and he's team controlled salary for 4 more seasons. This is another bad move by Hendry.
If A. RAM gets hurt again they are introuble at 3rd base.
ADD ME TO THE LIST THAT HUNCHES THIS IS ANOTHER BRILLIANT, OR "NON-BRILLIANT" THEREOF DEAL, COURTESEY OF JIM HENDRY. I DON'T HAVE ANY EMOTIONS ON THE AARON MILES PORTION OF THIS DEAL, BUT TRADING JAKE FOX IS GONNA RESULT IN A SHOULD NOT HAVE, COULD NOT HAVE, WOULD NOT HAVE DEAL. AT THE LEAST, RETAIN FOX IN THE SAME MANNER AS HE HAS BEEN USED THROUGH 2009, THEN PLACE HIM AT AT 1ST BASE IN THE STEAD OF "DOUBLE PLAY LEE" !!! GEEZ LAPEETZ, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN EASY DECISION.
ADD ME TO THE LIST THAT HUNCHES THIS IS ANOTHER BRILLIANT, OR "NON-BRILLIANT" THEREOF DEAL, COURTESEY OF JIM HENDRY. I DON'T HAVE ANY EMOTIONS ON THE AARON MILES PORTION OF THIS DEAL, BUT TRADING JAKE FOX IS GONNA RESULT IN A SHOULD NOT HAVE, COULD NOT HAVE, WOULD NOT HAVE DEAL. AT THE LEAST, RETAIN FOX IN THE SAME MANNER AS HE HAS BEEN USED THROUGH 2009, THEN PLACE HIM AT AT 1ST BASE IN THE STEAD OF "DOUBLE PLAY LEE" !!! GEEZ LAPEETZ, THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN EASY DECISION.
I hope this trade does not come back to haunt us... Who are our backup infielders now? What if Rammy gets hurt again? D-Lee? Who can step in?
it sounds like Cubs had to give them Fox just to get them to take that dog Miles and his contract off of our hands.