Getting the Fox Out of Chicago

Although it has not officially come full circle, it appears that Oakland is moving on from Jack Cust with the acquisition of Jake Fox from the Chicago Cubs last evening. Fox is built in the same mold as Cust, a batter who has showed some remarkably good hitting skills in the minors, is past prospect age status, has yet to get an extended Major League shot and is not well regarded for his glove. With Cust about to get expensive, there were already rumors that Oakland would be non-tendering him.

Coming along with Fox to Oakland is Aaron Miles and $1 million, making Miles’ cost to Oakland $1.7 million in 2010. Aaron Miles went four years being a replacement-level player with the Rockies and Cardinals before having a breakout (for him) season in 2008 with a BABIP-fueled .317 batting average. Signed by the Cubs, he immediately plunged into his worst offensive season to date and a poor defensive showing in a small sample as well. Just as a lucky high BABIP inflated Miles’ 2008 average, an unlucky low BABIP depressed his 2009 average. Expect a small bounce back if given the chance, though moving to pitcher-friendly Oakland and the AL probably will not be doing him any favors.

Heading back Chicago’s way are three players: Jeff Gray, Ronny Morla and Matt Spencer. Gray is a useful relief pitcher. He generates ground balls, misses some bats and keeps his walks under control. He can bring a mid-90s fastball and a mid-80s slider and with little service time accrued can make for a decent and cheap bullpen option for the next few seasons.

Morla, 21, also has some good velocity and has been in Oakland’s short-season program the last two seasons working as a starter for the majority of the time with some success. Spencer, 23 and originally a Phillies draft pick who came to Oakland by way of Joe Blanton, reached Double-A last year and has shown some decent hitting skills but his defensive position is currently up in the air.