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Heyman's Latest: Lofton, Owings, Sabathia

By Tim Dierkes [April 21, 2008 at 2:47pm CST]

SI.com's Jon Heyman has a new column up.

Heyman and Buster Olney both believe the Cubs should sign free agent Kenny Lofton to help fill in for Alfonso Soriano. However, Olney noted that the Cubs don't seem interested.
Apparently the Yanks pushed hard to get Micah Owings in the Randy Johnson deal a few years ago. Ross Ohlendorf still looks interesting, at least.
Heyman has heard whispers about C.C. Sabathia having arm problems but admits there's no real evidence. Sabathia threw 256.3 innings last year (postseason included), an increase of almost 60 IP over 2007.

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Comments

silly cubs. crisp doesnt seem like a bad idea now does he?

Posted by: 04Forever | April 21, 2008 at 03:00 PM

where do people get the crazy ideas that the cubs need someone like lofton or crisp? our OF is already set. we have soriano, murton, fukudome, johnson, pie, ward, and derosa all capable of playing the OF. we dont need dead weight like crisp or to spend money on another vet like lofton who will never play

Posted by: NEILarado | April 21, 2008 at 03:14 PM

Yeah, it was pretty well known that the Yankees wanted Owings in the Randy Johnson trade. Arizona was willing to give him up, it just came down to the combinations of players they were willing to give up. The Yankees could've gotten Owings and X or Ohlendorf and Y. The rest of the package would've stayed the same.

I don't know who X was, but I believe Y was Alberto Gonzalez.

Ohlendorf has been successful out of the bullpen this year, and Gonzalez has been a good backup infielder. Looks like the Yankees preferred this outcome over a #4/#5 starter and a guy who probably wouldn't make the majors at all.

Posted by: yanksfan | April 21, 2008 at 03:21 PM

Assuming that Buster Olney actually watches baseball, why does he think that Lofton would add anything that Reed Johnson's not giving the Cubs right now?

Posted by: worldcupfever | April 21, 2008 at 03:39 PM

One, two or three years ago, I would love to have had Lofton. I see no reason why the Cubs would need him now.

Posted by: Van | April 21, 2008 at 03:42 PM

Owings to the Yankees would be a shame. That pitcher can hit, he belongs in the NL.

Posted by: helloelan | April 21, 2008 at 04:13 PM

The injury to Soriano doesnt seem to be long term. Signing Lofton does not make sense, Like another post says the Cubs have Fukudome,Ward,Johnson,Pie DeRosa all playing the OF. It seems that while waiting for Sori to come back, the Cubs have the players for now that are hitting. Cedeno at SS Theriot at 2B and DeRosa in LF doesnt seem to hurt the Cubs. Additionally the Cubs have Colvin at AA and Paterson and Fuld at AAA that could be decent short term answers.

Posted by: ryno23 | April 21, 2008 at 04:53 PM

I think adding Lofton would be a panic move by the Cubs. Even though he would give them a top of the order hitter and someone who can play all three outfield positions, there is just so much depth in their outfield already. I don't see why Murton, Johnson, Pie and DeRosa can't cover the left and center positions while Soriano is out. I also enjoyed being able to see Cedeno get some at bats at second, because more and more I think he's proving he can be an adequate starter in this league.

The fact is that Lofton just doesn't make sense for this team. If he were a lefty then maybe that changes the equation because the Cubs could use a lefty at the top of the order, but really that still wouldn't make it necessary. With his likely to be high asking price I just don't see why he's a need.

Murton and Derosa in left, with Johnson and Pie in center is more than enough to keep the Cubs going while Soriano is out. Especially with Lee and Soto raking, and Ramirez is always a force in the middle of the order.

Posted by: scribbletone | April 21, 2008 at 06:10 PM

I'd LOVE to have Lofton on the Cubs. A speedy leadoff hitter with a .360 OBP? He's good enough to get Soriano to move out of leadoff. If Pie's not going to get any playing time to progress because the Cubs are win-now, then send him down so he can get AB's & get Lofton. Make Johnson the 4th OF.

Posted by: pinetarhand | April 21, 2008 at 06:50 PM

Actually, Sabathia is unique in the sense that you would take his previous high in innings which would be 210 IP in 2002. From what I've read about the YAE, that means Sabathia is already safely conditioned for that many innings. Still, it's 46.1 over and still significant. I didn't even look at Sabathia for some reason nor was he mentioned anywhere I had seen, good find.

By the way, it seems that cookie problem has popped up again out of nowhere yesterday.

Posted by: Sesshomaru | April 21, 2008 at 07:41 PM

Has these writers seen the Cubs record since Soriano got hurt? They need Crisp and Lofton like they need a hole in thier heads! I would not want Lofton just for a year to fit into the leadoff spot. If they must fill that roll, go get someone that is going to be around for 3 to 5 years and be done with it!!

Soriano - leave him sit until he remembers how to hit and to get his inflated head back to earth. I don't want the showboat. I want a hard nosed player that knows where he came from!!

Posted by: Fire_317 | April 22, 2008 at 05:47 AM

I don't think the Cubs brass is going to allow Soriano's 136 million dollars to sit on the bench.

Posted by: worldcupfever | April 22, 2008 at 08:08 AM

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