Cubs deal Miles, Fox to A's
We’ll have more on this and other stuff later, but the Cubs just traded infielder Aaron Miles and infielder-outfielder Jake Fox to Oakland for right-handed pitchers Jeff Gray and Ronny Morla and infielder-outfielder Matt Spencer. The Cubs also sent $1 million to Oakland, so they save about $1.7 million on Miles for 2010.
Gray, 28, went 0-1 with a 3.76 ERA in 24 relief appearances for the A’s this year. He walked four in 26.1 innings. Gray is a 32nd-round draft pick in 2004, and he has played for the Kane County Cougars.
Miles, as you know, was a huge disappointment for the Cubs this year, with a line of .185/.224/.242. Fox was a man without a position, and he could flourish in the AL as a DH. He hit 11 homers for the Cubs in 82 games.
More later.
It's odd, over at some blogs, there have been ridiculously long threads discussing this trade. It's really a minor deal.
Jake Fox has more value in the AL. Simply put, he was a guy without a position, and he wasn't exactly a top level bat. While his discipline has improved, and while he has raw power, he's still more of a hacker than anything. He simply didn't hold high value in the NL.
The 1.7 million saved is probably as big as anything in this deal. With how tight a position the Cubs are in financially, that could become helpful in adding a piece (likely CF).
In return, we got a usable middle reliever. I don't really think Gray will be a setup type, but he throws strikes and has gotten better in the past year. With that velocity, who knows when a fluke year might happen. At the very least, he adds to the middle relief inventory. Spencer has really good raw power and reports seem to suggest that he has improved as a hitter overall. I think he might be Jake Fox-ish or Micah Hoffpauir-ish, but the Cubs upper levels are a bit thin with corner OF/1st base pop, and if this means the Cubs don't end up rushing someone to AA, that'll be good enough.
I am intrigued with Morla. Another low level upside arm that Hendry takes a gamble on. Prior to Mayo's report, I had thought he was a low 90's guy, but Mayo seems to be suggesting that Morla can maintain 93-94 as a starter. He strikes me as somewhat similar to a guy we gave up last year (Al Alburquerque), but he's probably got a bit more projection with that long lean body that likely could physically mature some more, and his fastball might be a bit better. Past reports have said that he threw strikes. Morla supposedly had a good slider (which would explain the K rate), and in the past, I've read that he has a decent change-up.
I really am intrigued, but granted, Morla is Rule 5 eligible after 2010, so he's going to have to improve fast. The quickest way would be through the pen route, but I hope the Cubs try him as a starter if he can really maintain that 93-94 that Mayo was talking about. If so, he could be intriguing.
All in all, it's a solid deal. I like the savings more than anything, but we got some decent enough pieces in return for what we gave up.
Will Bradley ever be dealt? It seems like the Cubs always put themselves in the position of having to trade a guy before they can make any moves. First it was Sosa, then Marquis, now Bradley. Doesn't say much for Hendry.
well best of luck to jake in the al.....hopefully i'll get to see him hit a few long balls during spring training!
Sorry to see Jake Fox traded away. I understand why it was done and what it means but he seemed like a good guy with a good attitude and nice bat. He was an extra man for this team so I wish him well in Oakland. Not bitter over it and not bashing, just sorry it did not work out.
all things considered, same goes for Miles. everyone has a bad day at the office now and then and it just did not work out here. I know he was terrible and that it will be one of the worst free agent moves in the past few years but you take your shots and hope it plays out the way you want. This one didn't so you move on.
So it cost the Cubs $1M to unload another mistake and they had to include a very good hitter who played a few positions without a position to play as the key to the deal. It looks like Gray is a replacement for Heilman, with good control and a not so good SO/IP ratio. Morla's number are subpar but at least he's only 21 and Spencer has been decent in A and AA and will turn 24 in another month. What's the talk in Cubs camp about these guys Bruce?
Early to tell, but they like Gray's velocity even though his strikeout numbers aren't great. They like the fact that his walks total is good and that he keeps the ball down. They feel they've had good luck with young Dominican pitchers, such as Morla. Hendry seemed to think Spencer was a big part of the deal. I suspect Gray will compete all the way through spring for a job. He has a minor-league option left. If nothing else, the other two guys provide some inventory and depth in the minor leagues.