Chad Fox Signed To Minor League Deal

by Al Yellon on Dec 3, 2008 2:10 PM CST

From a Cubs press release today:

The Chicago Cubs today agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Chad Fox on a 2009 minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to major league Spring Training.

The only question I have is, why? Fox is 38 and has thrown 22 major league innings since 2003. They can't possibly think he could help the bullpen in 2009, can they? Maybe he inherited the collection of Compromising Photos Of Lou Piniella.

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New back end of the bullpen guy?

Gregg to Marmol to Fox? I like it!

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark

by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Dec 3, 2008 2:15 PM CST reply actions

You're joking, right?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 3, 2008 2:24 PM CST up reply actions

Just

a little bit.

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark

by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Dec 3, 2008 2:36 PM CST up reply actions

Everyone here will be eating their words when...

Fox leads the majors in holds and reliever ERA.

by EJThunder on Dec 3, 2008 3:00 PM CST up reply actions

dont get this..

he was turrible

"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"

by fischisgod on Dec 3, 2008 2:21 PM CST reply actions

Just like Kim Jong-il.....

by EJThunder on Dec 3, 2008 3:01 PM CST up reply actions

What a joke

Fox was done in ‘03 but yet they still insist on wasting time and money on him. I don’t get it!

by cubdreamer on Dec 3, 2008 2:24 PM CST reply actions

Could it be a favor to him from Hendry?

Some of those guys just try to hang on to reach service time plateaus for their pension. According the Cubs Media Guide, Fox was at 8.076 (8 years + 76 days) entering 2008 – with the time he was on the DL, he’s not too far from reaching 10 years of Major League service time, which I believe bumps up the pension. All he has to do is make the ML roster and then go on the Major League DL, and he’ll collect time.

That’s what Terry Adams was doing when he signed as a Minor League FA with Pittsburgh in 2006.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Bill Potter on Dec 3, 2008 2:28 PM CST reply actions

Maybe, but...

… wow, that’s kind of a convoluted way of having to do it, right?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 3, 2008 2:34 PM CST up reply actions

I completely agree

and after watching Terry Adams sulk and be petulant the entire time he was in Indianapolis in 2006, I wouldn’t want to try and do it.

But for some players, I’m sure it means a lot, especially if they’ve never had that one big contract – that bump in pension could make a difference to Fox over the next 40-50 years.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Bill Potter on Dec 3, 2008 2:36 PM CST up reply actions

True, I suppose.

Jim Hendry always has been a player’s general manager.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 3, 2008 2:38 PM CST up reply actions

He is known as that.

Maybe they just want Fox around to be a veteran influence around all those young kids during Spring Training.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Bill Potter on Dec 3, 2008 2:42 PM CST up reply actions

kind of like Bull Durham

If the ball had wings it would have stewardesses

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Dec 3, 2008 6:01 PM CST up reply actions

Fox Not A Lefty

The Cubs have enough righties in the pen. (Marmol, Gregg, Shark, Gaudin, Wuertz) We’ll see what role Marshall has in relief next season. He could be put into the rotation, if a starter goes down. I’d like to see Cotts get more innings in 2009.

There’s this guy that finished up the season in Philadelphia. He’s a lefty. I believe his name is something like “Air”. I think he could help the Cubs. Has Lou heard of him?

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Dec 3, 2008 2:30 PM CST reply actions

Probably not.

He’s still looking for a lefty named “Ire”.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 3, 2008 2:34 PM CST up reply actions

This is a clear move.....

…..to improve what Lou has recently called “a bunch of young guys in the bullpen”.

Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard

by carmen_fanzone on Dec 3, 2008 2:33 PM CST reply actions

Why not?

It’s a minor league deal which means virtually no risk for the team.

If it doesn’t work out, they cen release him.

If he looks like he might contribute, they can assign him to a minor league affiliate for insurance later in the season.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Dec 3, 2008 2:35 PM CST reply actions

All those in favor of eating crow...

say aye!

Clearly this isn’t an Edmonds-type signing, but hey, there’s no risk here in putting someone in the minors.

Maybe this is sort of a replacement for the trade of Ceda??

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Dec 3, 2008 2:51 PM CST up reply actions

Um...

… how is the acquisition of a 38-year-old injury-prone pitcher a “replacement” for a 22-year-old prospect?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 3, 2008 3:38 PM CST up reply actions

Not a bad move...

It’s a minor league contract with an NRI. He’s not taking up a 40-man roster spot. They might need extra BP arms in ST if Demp, Z, Marmol, et al, play in the WBC. He can be released at any time. He can show minor leaguers what it takes to make the jump. And it’s probably for no more than $500K.

No real down side that I can see…

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Dec 3, 2008 2:36 PM CST reply actions

But what's the point?

There are plenty of other pitchers, younger, who might actually have a chance of making the team, who could get NRI’s. To do this, as suggested above, just to get him service time… well, it’s nice, but it doesn’t really improve the team.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 3, 2008 2:37 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

Pointless move and a waste of a roster spot, regardless of what roster it is.

by kanderber on Dec 3, 2008 2:39 PM CST up reply actions

It's a non-roster signing, right?...

so maybe they did it to fill a longshot space in the bullpen. Clubs do this sort of thing all the time.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Dec 3, 2008 2:52 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, it's a minor legue deal so it's a non-roster.

Teams make this type of deal fro 2 main reason, in my estimation:

1.) Insurance for the MLB team (you never know who will be able to contribute if there’s an injury or due to ineffectiveness of someone you’re already counting on).
2.) A good character, veteran player on a minor league team has value to an org as they’re developing young players. Having these players to set a good example has value to an organization.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Dec 3, 2008 3:32 PM CST up reply actions

maybe he is Mateo's roommate

or helped Samardz

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Dec 3, 2008 6:02 PM CST up reply actions

Who's Mateo?

You do know Juan Mateo is out of professional baseball, right?

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by daver on Dec 4, 2008 10:15 AM CST up reply actions

He is?

Since when? He pitched in the minors in 2008.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 4, 2008 10:22 AM CST up reply actions

Well, perhaps someone more familiar with the minor leagues can correct me.

But, last I heard, he had left professional baseball and returned home.

Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.

by daver on Dec 4, 2008 10:28 AM CST up reply actions

another thought

maybe the organization sees him as a future coach.

Dear Santa:: All I want for X-mas this year is an official 2009 Jake Peavy Cubs Jersey. Oh and a Beimel one too. I've been a real good guy for the most part!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 3, 2008 2:52 PM CST up reply actions

There's not much point to it

but then again, there aren’t many points to non-roster invitees. In general, they’re there to fill jerseys, play late in spring training games, and if they’re lucky, flash enough potential to leave an impression on coaches.

If Fox doesn’t make the club, no one is hurt – he’ll either go to Iowa or retire. No harm there. If Fox and the Cubs catch lightning in a bottle, and he’s an effective reliever for part of the year, that’s fine, too.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Bill Potter on Dec 3, 2008 2:52 PM CST up reply actions

Well... I don't know if you also heard...

Our beloved Bobby Howry is officially off the table.

DAMN!

It’s pretty comical that the Giants think this move will help bolster their bullpen.

by EJThunder on Dec 3, 2008 2:52 PM CST reply actions

Howry

I thought the Cubs were going to re-sign him to be the closer. Yeah, that’s the ticket!

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Dec 3, 2008 2:57 PM CST up reply actions

NNNOOOO!!!!!

"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion

by DTJchris on Dec 3, 2008 3:01 PM CST up reply actions

I wanted rid of howry worse than anyone

but I wouldnt doubt one bit him having a “career year” next year. relievers always seem to do this. be good for a year or 2 then go sour. change clubs and be great again.

Dear Santa:: All I want for X-mas this year is an official 2009 Jake Peavy Cubs Jersey. Oh and a Beimel one too. I've been a real good guy for the most part!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 3, 2008 3:02 PM CST up reply actions

Pitching in that park

can’t hurt him any. Guys reinvent themselves all the time. Either way, his time in Chicago was done. I wish him luck. Especially when they’re in Denver!

Demp and Rich: proof that people that live in igloos and say "eh" can contibute!

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Dec 3, 2008 3:06 PM CST reply actions

Fox

There’s absolutely no downside to this. The Cubs aren’t exactly flush with upper-minor-league-level pitching. So it won’t do any harm to have him in Iowa, if he wants to pitch another year… and who knows? Maybe they just liked having him around last spring.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Dec 3, 2008 3:18 PM CST reply actions

But he is terrible.

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 3, 2008 4:12 PM CST up reply actions

maybe Jimmy was saving Wood's money for Chad Fox

yes, I know I should get over it….but Im still super pissed the Cubs have cut ties with Kerry

by DunstontoSandbergtoGrace on Dec 3, 2008 4:36 PM CST reply actions

Fox

I don’t understand why anyone has an issue with this. Fox has been through a lot, suffered some horrible injuries, and has worked his butt off. I don’t think the Cubs expect him to be in the running for a spot on the club. This is a nice professional courtesy extended to a veteran who has worked and worked when many would have called it a day.

IMO there is some upside here. This is a typical Hendry move that I really appreciate. He builds up a lot of goodwill by being a “player’s general manager.” Other players looking to come back from injury have decisions to make and organizations have reputations in how they work with players in such situations. Something like this makes the Cubs a good destination for players not only like Fox, but for guys like Ryan Dempster.

by dmlichte on Dec 3, 2008 5:20 PM CST reply actions 4 recs

+1

what’s the big deal? No downside here at all……………..nice thing to do by the Cubs

by plenz on Dec 3, 2008 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

+1 and rec'd

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Dec 3, 2008 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

That's an interesting take on the sitchiation...

…so I’ll third the rec. I still don’t really understand this signing, but that’s as good a guess as any. Plus, he really may have some positive clubhouse effect. I remember seeing a CSN piece on Fox this past season, and he’s definitely a “mentor” type of guy.

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by daver on Dec 4, 2008 10:18 AM CST up reply actions