30 A's in 30 Days – Jake Fox

Acquired: Traded from Chicago Cubs (with IF Aaron Miles) for RP Jeff Gray, 1B/OF Matt Spencer and SP Ronny Morla (December 3, 2009).
Contract: One year thru 2010. (Not yet eligible for arbitration.)
Position: Jake of All Trades

Projected BA/OBP/SLG: (.257/.316/.452)

Over/Under: Thanks to the unmitigated majesty of the MLB Extra Innings digital cable package, I saw quite a few Cubs games last summer. And, it seemed that Jake Fox was mashing whenever I watched. Listed at 6'0" (but looks shorter) and 210 lbs. (but looks heavier), Fox was hitting .409/.495/.841 at AAA-Iowa in almost 200 plate appearances when the Cubs finally recalled him back to Wrigley Field. On August 2, after his first 121 PAs with the Cubs, he was batting .308/.347/.607. In his next 120 PAs (taking him to the end of the season), he hit just .211/.275/.330.

His above projection appears to split the difference, but I'll go UNDER. I don't even think the A's know what Fox's role will be. He played five positions with the Cubs (C, 1B, 3B, RF and LF) and was terrible everywhere. Jack Cust was brought back to DH and the right-handed Fox doesn't show much of a platoon advantage vs. LHP.

By the Numbers: 50 – Fox's jersey number this year. With his stocky build and "Hulk SMASH!" approach at the plate, I'm looking forward to the memories of Benny Agbayani filling my TV screen this season.

Surefire 2010 Prediction: Fox is out of options, so the A's can't send him to the minors unless he clears waivers – and that won't happen. I just don't see a fit for him on the 2010 team. He's a better fit in the NL where he can serve as a spot starter and pinch-hitter or on an AL team with gaping need for a DH. Fox might start the year in Oakland, but he won't end it there.

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