Jake Fox goes deep once again. Number 12. You Cubs fans must be going nuts havign a talent like that NOT playing for your big league team. I feel for you...

Let's start a pool on which inning MB comes up lame tonight. I say his 2nd AB, he runs to first and starts limping away. Just watch.

Put me down for 4th inning.

LOL

Aaron totaly agree with you on Murton and Bradley, my point is that he IS a Cub and WILL be for awhile so why not give him more than 30 days to prove himself.

Its not like he is flaring away like Fukudome was last season, he is not getting pitched too. The guy has a .281 OBP with a .048 avg(one hit). He just needs to start swinging at the good pitches. I have no problem with Bradely. The problem is the pitching staff.



Heilman is the only picher with an ERA below 3. Starters and relievers. They never replaced Woody and expected to be fine. Gregg was a Howry replacement. Were's that other shutdown reliever besides Marmol? Don't have a lefty that can be relied on.

The other problem is the bench. Miles and Gathright still have me shaking my head. If you have Pie and then go get Gathright whats the point. Atleast Pie had a cannon for a arm and played steller D. I would much rather have Pie than Gathright. Miles seems to be showing his age.

Jim, for the sake of my sanity, and all of Cubs Nation, I hope you're right.

However, please keep things in perspective and prepare yourself for the highly likely event that they he will in fact NOT turn it around.

Here's a good story...and analogy for you. One of my teacher friends once told me that statistics don't lie in the classroom. He said if a student that had been getting 70-75% on tests, and all of a sudden got a 95% or higher on a test---that students was either,

a)cheating

or

b)had one hell of a tutor/study partner for the test

He went on to say that teachers look out for stuff like that, and normally try to keep an eye on the student while they're test-taking if that's the case. The point is, he said, you simply cannot take a kid that doesn't want to learn---either because they're going through problems at home, friends, or whatever----and turn them around from a C student to an A student overnight.

I'm not saying that Bradley was cheating...I am saying he had one hell of a tutor--Rudy Jaramillo---down in Texas...

And I'm also saying that unfortunately, Bradley is what he is. See, Hendry and most of Cubs nation was salivating at the Cubs PR juggernaut with claims abound that Bradley would hit .320+, .400+OBP, 20+HR, 100+RBI....and be a model citizen and teammate.

Fact is, he NEVER was that type of player, nor was he that type of person. He lacks desire to play through aches and pains, and can't figure out how to produce well in those situations. Kirk Gibson, anyone?

Moreover, Bradley has never reached 80+RBI, nor over 141 games. I mentioned this before....but I think I need to say it again....Bradley's 2003 season with Cleveland really put him on the map. Cleveland decided to make him an everyday player after he had the following line:

101 games, 377 AB's, 61 runs, 121 hits, 34 doubles, 10 HR, 56 RBI,64 walks 73 K's, .321 avg, .421 OBP

so...after playing "everday" he had the following:

141 games, 516 AB's, 72 runs, 138 hits, 24 doubles, 19 HR, 67 RBI, 71 walks, 123 K's, .267 avg, .362 OBP

last year....

126 games, 414 AB's, 78 runs, 133 hits, 32 doubles, 22 HR, 77 RBI, 80 walks, 112 K's .321 avg, .436 OBP

here's something for you to ponder though:

144 games, 455 AB's, 70 runs, 135 hits, 22 doubles, 13 HR, 62 RBI, 45 walks, 62 K's, .297 avg, .365 OBP

Name that player....Matt Murton, who, had the above line in his only full season. He did it on a horrible team, and still put up respectable numbers. Next season, Lou shows up, we sign Soriano, play Murton out of position, he lands in Lou's doghouse, and is shipped off the following year to the A's.

The point I'm making is that Bradley's stats, while gaudy last year, are not out of line with what a bunch of other players have done in limited duty.

Remember Murton's first call-up? How about Soto? How about Fontenot last year? Or even Hoffpauir?

Murton's first call-up was amazing:

51 games, 140 AB's, 19 runs, 45 hits, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 16 walks, 22 K's, .321 avg, .386 OBP

Plain and simple, when you take small sample sizes, you'll inevitably have high average math numbers, such as: average, OBP, SLG, OPS, etc.

But when you're really put to the test, like Bradley was at age 25....he actually has a worse average and OBP than Murton did at age 24 in his first full season. Factor in the high K total, and it's even more damning. In fact, he barely beats him in doubles, HR, and RBI

And yet, Hendry saw fit to trade Murton because he landed in Lou's doghouse, and eventually sign Bradley who is essentially the same player as Murton over the course of full season. Don't believe? Look up the statistics yourself.

Oh and BRING UP FOX. What eles does he have to do??????????????????

So everyone knew what they were getting with Bradley and now are complaining now he is doing exactly what everyone knew was going to happen. I wasn't happy with his signing at all but he is a Cub and will be for awhile so why not back him for more than 30 days.

Bradley will end up going on a tear May-June.

Let's see... in less than 24 hours Fox has hit three bombs a double (4/8) a walk, a HBP, and four RBI-guess they can't use a bat like that- pathetic.

what was said above with the Rangers' announcers in disbelief over the contract the Cubs gave Bradley says it all....

Honestly, if I was a GM, I'd make Len Kasper or Bob Brenly a personal consultant. The team announcers (not the ESPN types) have some of the best insight that you will find out there regarding all the different players in the league. Why? Because they have to study up on them. They interview them after wins, and tough losses, blow-outs, and during rain or shine. Get the point?

They would be able to tell a GM some info about a player's demeanor. They'd be able to tell a GM what type of pitching a guy struggles with, etc. In fact, with the benefit of replay, monitors, and statistical data in front of them, they're probably more knowledgeable than most scouts out there.

So, yes, I trust the opinion of the Rangers announcers. But it also begs the question....would they be saying those things if he was doing well? I don't know....that'd be interesting to see.

Bradley crushed a few balls in spring training, but I asked Neil for an honest assessment of all our players...whether they were crushing against MLB pitchers or career minor leaguers, etc.

Neil, do you recall the situation with Bradley, because I don't? I just remember not being impressed with him on tv. He hit a few hard, but it wasn't the explosiveness that we'd been sold on in the offseason. I do remember being impressed with his fire and determination in spring training running out balls in the OF, trying to disrupt double plays, and yelling at the umpire.

I just think if you pay a guy $10 million/year in this economy especially, he better be a DAMN good player, and a safe bet.

Hendry doubled down on a soft 17, and ended up with a 5. Get what I mean? Actually, to put it in better terms, he had a winning hand of two face cards against a 6, and he split the winning hands, getting rid of Wood and DeRosa in favor Gregg and Bradley

Signing Bradley, with all his accompanying baggage, was wrong for the team, and an insult to Cubs fans. I'd rather finish 2nd, than win with Bradley. Winning at any cost is not worth it.

I think you guys should put bradley on that list because what have he done for us lately. Patton we can send him down since we can lose him. We have no one to blame that Jim Hendry because now our bullpen is worst than last year.

I concur: Fox has to have a good arm if he was a catcher...Also, no one said Fox should start in favor of Ramirez; though I agree with the poster who said Ramirez is a defensive hack who doesn't go after balls...Also, to the person who said Pie knocked the cover off the ball at Iowa: Pie had 15 dingers in nearly 600 at bats there 1 yr., Fox has 11 in 18 games! I say get'em whil'st he's hot and see what he can do. Pinella has never been keen on playing young players. He couldn't do a thing with the Rays, but Maddon comes in and wins the A.L. Pinella said 'get me good players and I'll win.' Well, duh! Impact managers win with what they have, such as Leyland, Tom Kelly and LaRussa with the bunch he has.

Look at Runs Allowed in our Division:

Pirates 68

Cubs 83

Reds 84

Astros 86

Cards 87

Brewers 91

Hardly any diffo once you get past the Pirates. In short, our great pitching is hardly better than the Brewers--only .44 runs per game better.

That demos the fact we need the bats to pick it up.

The Cards are scoring 2 more runs per game than we are. Only Houston and Reds score less than us. Pirates avg. 1 more run per game than we do.

Mike D,

I think you're taking a lot of things out of context with what others were saying.

I don't think anyone expects Fox to be better than ARAM defensively or offensively. Nor do I think they expect him to be an all-world beater at any position.

I think it's important to point out that he'd be an upgrade over Gathright and Miles, certainly. Since Miles is a middle infielder, that essentially means it's Fox vs Gathright.

Now, please tell me Mike D that you haven't gone off the deep end, and really want Gathright over Fox.....because that's what this whole debate is about.

Then, the debate when on about how Bradley can't stay healthy, so the question becomes, "who to put in his place"...in that case, you'd have Fox.

Nobody expects Fox to supplant ARAM or Soto. However, I think he could at least equal Bradley's production...which is 1 hr....LOL

So...Gathright vs Fox. Who's it gonna be?

Bingo.

I've never been a 4-A player fan.

But I just dont see the need for Gathy..

Mike D,

I agree with you about Fox. Just b/c he's tearing the cover off the ball in AAA, doesn't mean he will come up to Cubs and do the same. And if the guy can't field, he's worthless in the NL, unfortunately. An OF of Sori / Fuku / Fox might be the slowest OF ever assembled. You can't have that. No way.

But, however, it is clear to me this is not the same team as last year. JH made a lot of bad moves this winter, and when you add in the injuries, you've got problems. I know its early, but if this team wins more than 85 games, I'll be shocked. We don't need 2 or 3 months to realize this: The bullpen is weaker, and the bench is weaker, which now really hurts you when the injuries start piling up.

The only thing saving grace is that the NL central is still fairly weak. The cards have real nice lineup, but their pitching is very suspect too.

I forgot: the slowest outfield ever assembled might have been the 1970 Cubs with Williams in LF, Jim Hickman in CF, and Johnny Calison in RF.

I like your post, except I disagree with the sentiment that the N.L. Central is weaker this year. I'd say the Reds are stronger and a threat because they have possibly the strongest starting five, and if not the strongest, then the next to strongest. Cardinal pitching looks pathetic, but if you consider the 2008 Cubs, whereby they had the strongest run support for their starters of any MLB club, then you might have to say that their starters won't necessarily kill them.

I agree with those above that say get rid of Gathright....WHAT A WASTE...I was saying that back in the off-season that I'd rather have kept Pie than got Gathright.

But now it's time to get rid of this waste of a roster space....and put Fox in his place. We don't need his defense. We need his bat. If for nothing else a power RH bat off the bench. But, an occassional start at 1B. 3B, LF or RF won't kill us.

And can we PLEASE aquire a decent lefty for the bullpen!!!!!

I'm sure JH and Lou understand the need to make some changes but they don't exactly have a whole lot of options. Nobody is making trades in April because it is so early and players off to slow starts can turn things around. Our minor leagues don't have anyone worthwhile to bring up either. Jake Fox is a poor man's Micah Hoffpauir. I'm as happy as anyone he is hitting the cover off of AAA pitching, you know who else hit the cover off AAA pitching? Felix Pie. But c'mon he has struck out 20 times in 70 ABs so he is hitting .443 but striking out at a .286 clip with two singles. If we bring him up expect him to hit .285 (maybe) and strike out at a .443 clip. Not to mention where will we put him? Soto isn't going to turn things around on the bench, he needs to play. Not to mention if the thought that Fox would be better at 3rd than Ramirez is the craziest thing I have ever heard.

C'mon Cubs fans I know 100+ years of futility has us anxious, but I have been reading this board for years and can't ever remember so many people acting like the ship is sinking before the end of April. Let's try to stay optimistic and stick to what we have, baseball is a streaky game and by the end of May we could all be singing a different tune.

Aaron...thank you for providing the morning chuckle. I loved the "You don't put some schmuck behind the plate that can't throw" comment.

Hey, I'd bring up Fox in a heartbeat, and promote the lineup of

Soriano LF

Fukodome CF

Fox RF

Ramirez 3B

Hoffpauer 1B

Theriot SS

Fontenot 2B

Soto C (until he finally gets in

shape)

And it is time for JH to chat with DLee about waiving his no-trade, and prepping him for a June/early July trade to the west coast.

And I'm still bummed about our inability to have landed Brian Roberts. He currently has the highest OBP for leadoff hitters. And to think we could have had him for Pie and Hill 2 years ago. So sad!

And Baltimore ended up with Both Pie and Hill and still have Roberts.

To be honest, I don't know about Fox...

I do know:

We have 3 bodies taking up roster spots that are totally unproductive.

1)Cotts

2)Patton

3)Gathright

3 weeks into a 6 month season is not a lot...but with the injuries we have...

and probably will have it is very evident we need to make changes...and for whatever reason...(ownership?)JH/Lou

are both hesitant to make the necessary

changes.

I'm looking for Bradley to go 1-for-April.

I like Fox, and would like to see him play in the field to see if Lou's judgment is accurate about his defense. The Cards are winning with an outfielder playing 2nd base; and MLB's worst defense, and a pitching staff that has no closer, and has suspect starters. What they do have is SLUGGERS, Lou, SLUGGERS. They win by out-slugging their opponents.

Oh and by the way, the word is that Bradley is supposed to play tonight. I have a thousand bucks that says he re-injures himself. Mark it down. Just watch.

I TOTALLY disagree with someone's earlier comment that ARAM is terrible at 3B. There is nothing wrong with his defense. He may not be GG, but he is defintely not a liability over there.

I was watching Monsters in the morning today and they said last night that the Texas announcers were talking about how shocked they were that the Cubs gave Bradley $10M / yr. This for a guy who never plays more than 100-110 games and has terrible attitude. They also said that some of Ranger players questioned his desire to play in the later months so he could protect some of his numbers. Doesn't that make you feel better about this guy ? UGH.

This could be the worst signing since Todd Hundley. And that's saying a lot, my friends. And to think we sacrificed Dero to get this bum. Makes me sick.

I second Mitchell's take on Fox. If you look at his defensive stats...it seems he gets a bad reputation strictly from his first full season at Lansing when he had 13 errors catching, which, I have to admit is an inordinate amount of errors for a catcher.

Fact is, it's no longer his position, and he really hasn't done that bad in the field. Perhaps it's the routes he takes to the ball or maybe it's how he performs in practice (scouts watch it all). As for the arm thing...I have no idea where they're getting that information. Even if you're an average catcher in professional baseball, you have a decent arm. That's a fact. You don't put some schmuck behind the plate that can't throw.

I believe we need Jake Fox on this team to replace DeRosa's production...Plain and simple!

If you look at his stats...at age 26, he's finally putting it all together. And for those that say, "well, it's just because he's a AAAA player, and he's figured out AAA pitching."

Actually, he's only played in 72 games at Iowa, so that doesn't hold water. I'm all for giving him a chance. About the only 2 positions Fox can't play that DeRosa did is SS and 2B. Fox certainly has more power than DeRosa, and is one of the more prolific bats we have right now in our system.

Look, I know Cedeno, Pie, Soto, Hoffpauir, and DuBois have torn the cover off the ball in recent years at AAA, but the fact is, ALL of them had more games played at Iowa than Fox, and also all of them had multiple stints as well that generally lasted more than 25 games (unlike Fox).

It's high time we give this guy an opportunity that lasts longer than 7 games. I say DFA Gathright. He's so horrible it's beyond words. You cannot steal first base, and that's his problem.

I can take better hacks up there than he does, and I wasn't even a position player. He looks like a Little Leaguer against men...UGLY.

I would be very happy if we gave Fox a shot, especially with our woeful offense right now. Bradley looked terrible last night yet again, and he DEFINITELY won't hold up all year in RF. With Lee struggling at 1B, Hoffpauir's got to get in there somewhere, and Reed Johnson, outside of his defense, hasn't brought offense at all. That leaves RF open with Fukudome moving back to CF. Fox can take over RF and Hoffpauir at 1B.

You'd have this for your lineup:

Soriano

Theriot

Fukudome

ARAM

Hoffpauir

Fox

Fontenot

Soto/K Hill

A few thoughts.....

* Jake Fox alone is not the answer. However, I think he brings more to the table than Joey Gathright.

* Speaking of Gathright, you can't steal first base. When Lou goes for defense he usually puts Johnson in CF and swings Fukudome to RF.

* I do not like how the team is constucted. 12 pitchers? The 7 man bullpen would be ok if Lou trusted all them. But, from what I have seen he only has faith in: Marmol, Gregg, Heilman, Shark and Guzman. Cotts and I am sorry to say Patton are pretty useless. Hence, one of them needs to go.

If the only reason anyone can give for not calling up Fox is defense than that is wrong. Anyone who has watched this team knows that we have defensive liabilities all over the field that cannot even hit. I would rather have aguy like Fox that at least has a chance at the plate instead of the little league hitters we currently have in miles and gathright. If not for the cardinals, Miles would be hitless this year. This team keeps getting older and less talented and people are knocking this kid for not being good defensively. I say bring him up, let him play, and let's see for ourselves. He can be no worse than what we currently have. If he were one of "Pinella's guys", he wouldn't have to play defense or hit (like Gathright).

Facts:

1) Jake Fox can flat-out smoke the ball!

2) Jake Fox would be no worse than Ramirez at third, who goes after grounders as if they were rattlesnakes. He kills the Cubs defensively! Jake Fox was a good catcher, who was moved from that position because they had Soto. As a result, he's learning new positions, including OF and 1B. Inasmuch as he grew up in Michigan where they can't play much baseball as in Florida, etc., and he had been catching, learning new positions will take time.

3) I had season tickets behind home plate when he caught in A ball and, contrary to the 'anonymous' scout, he was fine behind the plate. He wasn't Johnny Bench, but he wasn't a liability either.

4) Jake Fox is as nice a person as I've met in baseball. He's a super-good guy, who can pulverize the baseball. How can that be anything but good for the Cubs and us fans?

5) The Cubs braintrust has screwed Jake Fox up and screwed him over by moving him around to all these positions, and also by not promoting him at other times when he was knocking the cover off the ball. Unfortunately, the Cubs have a way of messing up its top farmhands. Case in point: Felix Pie. Brandon Sing (minor league's top HR hitter a few years ago, who also hit for average). Sean Gallagher, who will end up excelling in Oakland. Who's the last Cubs farmhand to excell with the Cubs? Theriot was a mediocre minor leaguer who will be just that in the majors. The jury is out on Soto. All the big-name Cubbies have come from other teams.

The guy doesn't know how to hit singles, only 2 of his 21 hits landed him at 1st base. That will hold him back. The stats above don't work out, 21-70 does not equal .443 BA.

Seriously, he'll be traded.

Thank you for catching my error. Fox is 31-for-70 with 21 runs scored. I corrected my numbers.

It does no good if a a player scores 2 runs for a teamand lets in 4. The Cubs are both defensively and offensively

challenged right now. Fox needs to be traded to an American League team for someone that can really help.

The knock on his D is B.S.. How many errors this year with the I-Cubs, Spring Training, Licey this past winter and all of last year? Very Few. Arm strength? The guy has a gun as witnessed by his 45 % CS rating when he last caught. He may not have the wheels of Johson, etc but this continued knock on his lack of defense is an urban legend.

I don't care where he play's, he needs to be on the big league club.

Unlike you and I, I do not expect JHendry and Lou to call Fox up to the club.

Based on his stats thus far, I'd let Fox pick any position he wants. He couldn't do any worse than our current incumbents. But since the guy is stated to be a defensive liability (unlike our Willy Mays in LF currently), I'm sure the braintrusts of JH and LP will allow Fox to cool down at the plate over time, and then bring him up.