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11/17/2003 8:19 AM ET

Fox wants to remain a Marlin

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

MIAMI -- Nearly a month after winning the World Series, reliever Chad Fox remains ready to pitch. Jokingly, he says every time the phone rings at his home near Houston, he instinctively reaches for his glove.

It's the nature of the business.

 

Relief pitchers are conditioned to be ready on a moment's notice.

 

Fox, who helped solidify the back end of the Marlins' bullpen, is a free agent on call for his next opportunity. The 32-year-old right-hander hopes it is again with Florida.

 

Chances are good it will be.

 

Asked if he will be a Marlin in 2004, Fox quickly responds: "I hope so. I truly loved it there."

 

The Marlins touched base with Fox before last week's general managers meetings in Phoenix. There is interest from both sides.

 

But other teams have inquired too.

 

The Astros present an intriguing alternative because it's close to home. Like right-hander Josh Beckett, Fox is from the Houston suburb of Spring.

 

"Houston is very interested, but I told my agent that I wasn't going to do anything without giving the Marlins the last chance," Fox said. "I feel a sense of loyalty to the Marlins."

 

Fox is leaning toward returning to the Marlins because the organization believed in him when few other teams did.

 

Shortly after Fox was released by the Red Sox late last July, the Marlins signed the right-hander to a minor league contract. It wasn't long before he was called up. And down the stretch he was valuable in the postseason push.

 

In 21 games with the Marlins, Fox was 2-1 (2.13) with 27 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings.

 

Fox was a standout in 12 September appearances, giving up four runs in 15 2/3 innings. With a 95 mph fastball and a sharp slider, he struck out 17 and walked seven. He provided veteran leadership, was standup no matter how he performed, and accepted whatever role assigned.

 

In the playoffs, Fox was 1-0 (3.97), allowing five runs in 11 1/3 innings over nine games.

 

A veteran who has overcome Tommy John surgery, plus a third elbow operation, Fox showed his arm could hold up. He is comforted now that teams aren't calling him to see if he is healthy -- they inquire about his availability.

 

"I never had as much fun in the league," Fox said. "It's not just because we won the World Series. It was a special team and a special group of guys."

 

Fox says he expects to know by the end of the week where he likely will pitch in 2004.

 

"I'm not getting my hopes up either way," he says.

 

The Astros entered the mix after they traded closer Billy Wagner to the Phillies. Houston would likely use Fox in a setup role.

 

With the Marlins there is a chance he could close, depending on whether Ugueth Urbina and Braden Looper return. But setup is the stronger possibility.

 

Urbina is a free agent testing the market. And Looper, arbitration eligible, had 28 saves in 34 opportunities.

 

Even if Looper returns and Urbina leaves, the Marlins need help in the back of the bullpen. Tim Spooneybarger, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, is expected to miss the entire season. The earliest Spooneybarger would likely pitch is September.

 

Nate Bump, Blaine Neal, Kevin Olsen, Michael Tejera and Tommy Phelps should all be back. They lack Fox's experience.

 

Fox, who made about $500,000 last year and could double that in 2004, has experience closing and setting up.

 

"I think things could heat up pretty quickly," Fox said of talks this week. "I've expressed to my agent more than once that we will talk to the Marlins before we do anything."

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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