Nooooooooooo!

Anyone who reads this blog knows I like Jake Fox...a lot. Sadly, the Cubs just traded the cost-controlled slugging 1B, who could have replaced Derrek Lee's $13 million salary after this season, in addition to that piece of shit Aaron Miles and $1 million cash for A's reliever Jeff Gray and two random prospects. On the plus side, Gray does not walk batters, making him a welcome addition to the Cubs walk-happy bullpen. On the downside, however, Jake Fox had more value to the Cubs than a cost-controlled reliever (see the first link on this page).

To make matters worse, the Cubs are trying to sign Vincente Padilla. Just great. Nothing like replacing Rich Harden with Vincente Padilla, right? When will the Cubs fire Jim Hendry?? When??

Sigh...at least there's always 2011...

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Update:

Here are the scouting reports on the players the Cubs received from Oakland:

• RP Jeff Gray, the centerpiece of the deal, has superb control and efficiency, but average strikeout potential. Gray seems to have a lot of potential as a reliever and has 31 IP of major league experience.
  
• OF Matt Spencer has a high power ceiling and average power, but below average plate discipline and a high tendency to strike out. Spencer spent most of 2009 playing AA ball.
  
• SP Ronny Morla has good stuff and high strikeout potential with above average control, but he is somewhat hittable (barley below average efficiency rating). Morla has not even played above A ball.