Chicago Cubs Trade Future Hall of Famer Jake Fox
Jake Fox, the best 28 year old rookie Infielder-Outfielder-Catcher EVER
Chicago Cubs Trade Jake Fox
On December 4, 2009, the Chicago Cubs traded face of the franchise and future Hall of Famer Jake Fox to the Oakland Athletics for three worthless prospects. Around the nation, delusional Cubs fans wept at the loss as the greatest offensive force in the National League packed his bags for the west coast.
Who is Jake Fox you ask? DUH! He’s the Chicago Cubs 28 year old rookie sensation who took the National League by storm in the summer of 2009 after tearing up the Pacific Coast league as a home run machine. Fox joined the big league Cubs in June and proceeded to destroy NL pitching with a .259 batting average, 11 home runs and 41 RBI.
Despite these phenomenal numbers and his ability to play a decent first base, passable third base, mediocre left field and emergency third string catcher, Jake Fox garnered zero Rookie of the Year votes from the clueless sports writers of America.
That lack of respect will all change now. As a member of the Oakland Athletics, Jake Fox stands poised for a breakout season where a .350 average with 40+ home runs and 150+ RBI is easily within reach.
…. or at least that’s how some delusional Cubs fans feel.
This one…. not so much.
Remember Matt Murton?
Matt Murton was an outfielder with the Cubs from 2005-2007. He was well liked by Cubs fans who embraced the redheaded rookie in 2005 and as a starter in 2006. In 2006 Murton put up okay numbers after a weak first half, hitting .297 with 13 home runs and 63 RBI but didn’t perform well enough to hold onto his job once the Cubs signed Alfonso Soriano. Murton was traded unceremoniously in 2007 after spending much of the year in AAA Iowa.
That is when a certain segment of Chicago Cubs fans became strangely enraged at the trade of the supposed “can’t miss” young player. I have a feeling that I’m beginning to see this all over again with Jake Fox.
Suddenly the Cubs have traded away a young Babe Ruth. Suddenly Jake Fox is the talented young player with unlimited potentional who could bash home runs at will and could play any position with incredible prowess. Which he couldn’t. He had a decent bat but .259 average doesn’t really strike fear into opponents. Fox contributed in his role on the team. He had a few big hits including a big home run during the Cubs vs White Sox series. He filled in adequately at most of the positions he played, but not spectacularly.
The Cubs didn’t really have a position open for Jake Fox though. Towards the end of the season it seemed that the league was starting to figure him out and Jake’s average began to slide. It also seemed as if his playing time slipped as well and that the Cubs no longer had confidence to play him everyday. They seemed to hold Fox out against pitchers with good breaking stuff, which it appeared he was getting fooled on a lot.
Don’t tell Jake Fox fans that though. Here’s a sample of what they’ve had to say:
“Lou Brock, Greg Maddux and now Jake Fox”
“Watch, Fox will be another Lou Brock.”
“I hate losing Fox, and he was a better option in left than Soriano.”‘
” I think we all know that he will become an excellent hitter and player in Oakland.”
“The sooner the Cubs implode and Hendry is driven out the better.”
“FIRE HENDRY ALREADY!!!!”
And people think I’m delusional?
Like ANY trade of a young player, I’ll evaluate The trade when we have something to judge it on. So far you can look back at the Cubs trading “top prospects” like Matt Murton, Felix Pie, Corey Patterson, Sean Gallagher and Corey Hart and not feel like you miss any of them.
And let’s not forget… Aaron Miles got traded too. That should make you happy right?
We’ll see what kind of season Jake Fox really has in Oakland. We’ll see if any of the three prospects the Cubs picked up in the trade end up contributing. Then we can judge, but for now, I’m not going to be losing any sleep over Jake Fox being the next Lou Brock. I don’t think you should either.
But I would like to wish Jake Fox all the best. You were well liked by the fans. Thanks for your time with the Cubs and good luck.
Go Cubs!
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Chicago Cubs trade Aaron Miles and Jake Fox – Chicago Tribune
[...] acquired by the Cubs was future hall of famer Jake Fox, who the Oakland Athletics no longer needed after realizing they had four designated hitters in [...]