Tampa Bay Rays: No Compensation from Giants

The Tampa Bay Rays had been seeking compensation of a non-disclosed injury  to Lucius Fox acquired via trade with San Francisco. Final summation was that no compensation was needed.

When the Tampa Bay Rays traded pitcher Matt Moore to the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline, one of the four players acquired was Lucius Fox, a highly rated prospect shortstop.

At the time of the transaction, the Tampa Bay Rays were aware that a two of the players involved were injured and on the disabled list, such as the case with Matt Duffy and Michael Santos.

However, Fox had a bruised left foot as a result of a foul ball that had occurred about a week before the trade and had been playing through the injury, which the San Francisco Giants never disclosed to the Tampa Bay Rays.

More from Rays News

• Tampa Bay Rays give richest contract in franchise history to Wander Franco
• Rays: Just how good was Randy Arozarena’s rookie season?
• Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino stands out despite low batting average
• Tampa Bay Rays’ playoff loss comes despite ‘playing better than they played’
• Rays’ Randy Arozarena turns back the clock with timeless memories

After days of going back-and-forth between San Francisco’s GM Bobby Evans and Rays President of Operations Matt Silverman and the respective medical staffs, along with additional medical information all agreed that no additional compensation was necessary.

What it boiled down to was that the foot pain that Fox was experiencing had not as yet been diagnosed as an injury, and so the Tampa Bay Rays could not substantiate the need for compensation.

Supposedly Fox told his trainer at Low-A Augusta a day or two before the trade was finalized about the injury and according to the lineup on July 30 Fox played but did not do so on July 31.

In 75 games with Augusta, Fox hit .207 with 46 runs scored, 25 stolen bases, slugging .277, an on-base percentage of .305, an OPS of .582, two home runs, four triples, six doubles and 16 RBIs.

On the other hand, his defensive side is alarming as he made 32 errors during this time.

Just 19-years-old, Fox is a switch-hitter and had been considered one of the Giants top prospects after signing a $6 million bonus in July 2015.

Upon the trade Fox immediately slotted into the No.7 overall prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays, according to MLB.com’s 2016 Prospect Watch.

He is ranked second among shortstops after No.1 overall prospect Willy Adames.

During Fox’s physical, the Tampa Bay Rays took a bone scan and were then made aware of the severity of the bone bruise which the doctors determined would require Fox to rest and treatment for four-to-six weeks.

More from Rays Colored Glasses

• Tampa Bay Rays give richest contract in franchise history to Wander Franco
• Remembering Julio Lugo’s time with the Tampa Bay Rays
• Are you the 2021 FanSided Sports Fan of the Year?
• Rays: Just how good was Randy Arozarena’s rookie season?
• Tampa Bay Rays catcher Mike Zunino stands out despite low batting average

Because of this, Fox would most likely miss the remainder of the minor-league season and not debut for the Tampa Bay Rays until the fall instructional league begins.

As a result, the Tampa Bay Rays were seeking compensation but not in terms getting another player or in returning Fox back to San Francisco, which Silverman said would not happen.

Speculation is that the Tampa Bay Rays were seeking some sort of financial compensation.

Meanwhile, Silverman spoke with Giants GM Bobby Evans on Saturday morning and would not make a comment until the issue is resolved

Evans however told the San Francisco Chronicle that the issue seems to be a matter of a difference of medical opinion and will have the Giants doctors look at the scan.

"“We’re trying to understand their diagnostics on Fox and compare it to our diagnostics on his foot,” Evans said. At this point, that is where we are at. They have made it clear they do not want to return Fox.”"

Evans also noted that Fox played for a week after sustaining the injury and didn’t complain about it.

Although the injury is not considered to be long-term.

It is however somewhat of a concern as the Tampa Bay Rays feel not being able to play now would cut into valuable time and developmental opportunities.

Now, the Tampa Bay Rays will need to wait until the fall for Fox to work on his skills which is something that the they really don’t want to happen.

Rays Stingers

The Tampa Bay Rays have optioned Richie Shaffer back to Triple-A Durham as they’ll be activating newly acquired shortstop Matt Duffy off the disabled list. Duffy is expected to make his debut in Friday night’s game.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rays Colored Glasses team!

Write for us!

The Tampa Bay Rays travel to New York for a 3-game series this weekend against the New York Yankees. Heading into the opening game, the Rays lead the season series 5 to 4 and have pitched to a 2.71 ERA (79.2-IP, 24-ER).

Over the years, the Tampa Bay Rays have been present for a number of New York Yankee historical moments.

This weekend will be no different as the Yankees will be honoring Alex Rodriguez on Friday night, the 1996 World Champions on Saturday and Mariano Rivera on Sunday.

Friday night’s game will mark Alex Rodriguez final game. He will retire as the all-time HR leader against the Tampa Bay Rays with 56.

Next: Tampa Bay Rays: Miller Upset, Out as Shortstop

40 of the home runs came in a Yankees uniform. Ironically, A-Rod’s first game in a Yankee uniform came against the Devil Rays in the 2004 season opener in Tokyo.