Cubs invite reliever Chad Fox to spring training

While Bob Howry signed with San Francisco on Wednesday and Kerry Wood searched for a new team, the Cubs invited Chad Fox to spring training with a minor-league deal.

[Joe Pepitone]

Another so called brilliant move. WTF, they give up on Wood and they still give this has been/never was a chance?!

[Bob]

Cubs are wasting a roster spot with Chad Fox. This gut is 38 years old and done. Is Fox bnalckmailing someone in the Cubs front office. Give me one honest reason the Cubs should hang onto a 38 year old loser.

[Mac The Knife]

Middle relief is already improved by subtraction...Howry and Eyre are elsewhere! But we do need a couple of arms that can help us get through the middle/late innings.

[Greg]

There was no mention of Samardzija. He may become the primary middle reliever.

[Rod from Tennessee]

Chad Fox.. Stories like these are what always distress Cub fans. Kudo's to him for his recovery from elbow surgery as i'm sure the rehabilitation from that was very difficult; however, the guy could barely get the ball to the plate in the low 80's. He's 38 yrs. old now, and although i'm certain he'd never make the roster, it just goes to show the Cubs are never ready to take that next step to the top. They'll sign a couple quality players, and then try to make their way with retreads, who are never quite enough.

Memo to Hendry..0-6 the last two playoffs Jim. Chad Fox isn't going to get you past the 0-6 mark. Get some talent in here. One time in 101 years is not asking too much, is it Jim? That's all we ask for, just once Jim. Heck, for that matter, i'd be happy to just make the World Series, but the Chad Fox's out there aren't the players who are going to help the team get there.

[Mr Baseball]

Fox is a long shot for this club. Just look at the depth chart for Cubs pitching. This club needs LH pitchers. Not 39 year old guys.

Starters are:

Zambrano
Harden
Dempster
Lilly
Marquis
Marshall

Relievers:

Marmol
Gregg
Smaradzija
Guzman
Cotts

Trade Bait:

Hart
Ascanio
Hill
Veal

Out:

Wurtz
Gaudin

Cubs can still snag Randy Johnson if Marshall is thrown into a Peavy or Roberts deal.

[Doug]

It is an invite to spring training, not a guaranteed roster spot. Teams do this all the time. Some of the invites are washed-up major leaguers trying for that one last shot at the big time before they retire. Some invites are career minor leaguers who you've never heard of. Either way, let's not bash Hendry over someone who will probably get cut before the season starts. Now letting Wood walk, that's a different story.

[quills]

The Cubs have made a big mistake in letting Howry go! Sure he had a down year but he was there whenever they needed him to pitch. His prior years were all good except for last year. Now they have signed 38 year old Fox who has an arm worse than mine. Do they really think he will pitch all year? Come on be realistic. They signed Fox for money reasons only and are just hoping he can pitch a little. Howry was a horse and Fox is only trying to hang on to increase his retirement fund. He will be released before June. Howry will have great year watch and see. Cubs are making some big mistakes.

[Doug]

quills wrote:

The Cubs have made a big mistake in letting Howry go! Sure he had a down year but he was there whenever they needed him to pitch. His prior years were all good except for last year. Now they have signed 38 year old Fox who has an arm worse than mine. Do they really think he will pitch all year? Come on be realistic. They signed Fox for money reasons only and are just hoping he can pitch a little. Howry was a horse and Fox is only trying to hang on to increase his retirement fund. He will be released before June. Howry will have great year watch and see. Cubs are making some big mistakes.

As I said above, Fox is an invite to spring training and not a guaranteed roster spot. Right now he's as much a member of the 2009 Cubs as Michael Jordan was a member of the 1994 White Sox. And Bob Howry sure was there to pitch for the Cubs. He was there, giving up hits and home runs on a frequent basis.

[CoachA25]

Mr. Baseball, says...

Your proposal is a six man rotation, something the Cubs (even with Harden) probably will not do.

You are relaying on Guzman who has yet to prove he can stay healthy for more than a month or two at a time.

Nobody is going top take Hill for anything more than a box of used baseballs.

I do like the idea of acquiring Peavy and/or Roberts and would love to see the Cubs find a way to make those two deals and snag Ibanez. Then, pick up at least one middle of the bullpen type guy...ala Juan Cruz? Who I am pretty sure has put together a nice career after leaving Chicago.

[SalukiHawk]

What IS Hendry's love affair with Chad Fox? He wasn't that good for that long when he was in his prime (which was about 10 years ago). Bizarre.

[jim in arizona]

lets go hendry!
stop wasting time!
you CAN still get jake peavey,
if you don't, then get a left hand power hitting outfielder & brian roberts.
either way, time IS of the essence!
OPEN THE WALLET & GO OUT & GET THE JOB DONE!!!

[very disapointed cub fan]

Thye invite Chad Fox back, but won't give Kerry Wood a contract. I have been a Cubs fan my whole life. this might push me over the edge!!!

[Greg]

very disapointed cub fan wrote:

Thye invite Chad Fox back, but won't give Kerry Wood a contract. I have been a Cubs fan my whole life. this might push me over the edge!!!

Chad Fox don't get paid no 10 million dollars.

[Bob]

Guys, you still don't get it. Inviting chad fox is still taking a spot on the spring training team. Let some teenager try out. Everyone agrees he can't make it so why waste the Cubs time ? Even if he's sent to the minors, he's taking a spot that some prospect could have. the cubs don't owe Fox anything. Get it now ?

[Trader Jim]

Chad Fox is good for the clubhouse. He works with the younger pitchers, shows them the ropes. He'll be a coach/roving instructor one day with this club, and that will be a good thing. Hey, he's got a ring from his Marlins days.