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« Rays Considering Crisp? | Main | Three CF Options For Cubs »
Lofton Turned Down Two Offers
Kenny Lofton tells Ken Rosenthal, "age ain't nothing but a number." However, he feels that his age (41 in May) is the reason he's not getting offers he deems acceptable this winter. He's turned down two offers: a minor league one from the Reds and a Major League one from the Rays in excess of $1MM.
Rosenthal suggests Lofton may retire, which would be a shame. I don't think fans would think less of Lofton if he played for a million or two; most wouldn't even know his salary. As a part-time player with suspect defense, does he really deserve more? Maybe it was last year's $6MM salary that was out of line.
Lofton says his hands are tied. But the reality is that his pride, rather than a lack of interest in his services, could lead to his retirement.
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I really like Lofton and I believe he would have made the difference in 2004 for the Cubs had they not tried to rely on Corey Patterson. That was a team built to make a playoff run.
Anyway, teams are always adding guys at the trade deadline, and somehow Lofton always ends up on a winning team for a stretch run. Maybe this year teams can just sign him instead of trading.
Still, you'd think he would have accepted that Rays offer. They look to be a good team and at least it's not in Canada or a last place team like the Cards.
Posted by: Dan Stabbingworth | March 20, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Yeah I read that article and Lofton comes off as a self centered prick. He should have taken the Rays offer. No one else is going to offer him more then the $1 mil.
He can't hit lefties anymore (.223 last year). 2nd half OB% was only .343 and he is not longer a Gold Glove OF.
Posted by: XD23 | March 20, 2008 at 01:24 PM
He'll be a mid-season mercenary. Roger Clemens has ushered in a new era where older, still productive player wait it out 'til mid-season. Obviously the situation is different since Lofton is desperate to play, for the right amount of money and playing time of course.
If he waits it out 'til June, I see Kevin Towers pouncing on him to the tune of a pro-rated $4mm deal. I can't imagine Hairston or Edmonds as the primary CF when the dog day of Summer come, a fresh body and a true leadoff hitter in Lofton could be a major push.
Posted by: WestCoastBias | March 20, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Patterson took that offer from the reds, & now he's their opening day CF. Smooth move Kenny.
Posted by: Grizzlyfox | March 20, 2008 at 01:51 PM
I really wish Lofton would have taken the offer... I completely understand him turning down a minor league deal, but not a major league deal because of money. He is a pretty good player still, and can definitely help out the Rays.
Posted by: GoTribe | March 20, 2008 at 01:54 PM
GoTribe:
Right on. He should have taken the major league deal. He's still productive, but he needs to realize his days as an every day player are pretty much done and take up a platoon job somewhere. He's still got a few good years in him if he can accept that.
Posted by: FineHamAbounds | March 20, 2008 at 01:59 PM
I do think Lofton should have taken the Rays' offer but I can understand that he wants more respect. He's earned the right to pick where he wants to play and he's still a valuable guy to have around (remember the Indians traded for him to help down-the-stretch last season). Lofton's not done but the lack of market for outfielders this year hurt him. Unless there is a major injury in April or May, I think Lofton's going to regret not taking the Rays offer. He has no leverage. It's sit on his couch and not get paid or take whatever offer he's given.
Posted by: TNS | March 20, 2008 at 02:04 PM
What would we be saying if Scott Boras was Lofton's agent?
Posted by: pmc765 | March 20, 2008 at 02:09 PM
pmc765:
"Hell no"?
Posted by: metafrantic | March 20, 2008 at 02:29 PM
metafrantic, I think pmc's point is that if Boras was Lofton's agent, nobody would be calling Lofton himself a self-centered prick for turning down the $1m offer from the Rays. We'd be saying Boras is a cutthroat egomaniac who denies his clients fair offers to make himself look good.
Posted by: asm | March 20, 2008 at 04:40 PM
WestCoastBias nailed it - mid-season mercenary is a perfect fit for Lofton. He wants to start. Why sign with a team on the cheap now, and limit your hopes of playing to that team's CF or LF getting hurt? He can bide his time and wait for a perfect opportunity to open up anytime during the year. He'll probably make his $1M on a part-year contract if a team really needs him, so why not take a few months off first?
Posted by: ColonelTom | March 21, 2008 at 10:25 AM