Stark’s Latest
Jayson Stark has an assessment of the trade market over at ESPN.com.
- Aside from the usual Mark Teixeira/Eric Gagne mentions, Stark believes many Rangers may be headed out at the trading deadline. Specifically, he names Brad Wilkerson, Kenny Lofton, and Sammy Sosa. Lofton is always a good midseason mercenary. He’s like a Mike Stanton in that way.
- Ken Griffey Jr. would approve a trade to Atlanta and might consider certain other teams. Junior is making $12.5MM this year and next, plus a $4MM buyout for ’09. Quite a bit of the contract is deferred, also. $29MM over 2007-08 is still pretty steep, but now would be the right time to trade Griffey.
- Nationals – still asking too much for Chad Cordero. Bowden’s got time to wait around for the right deal, I suppose.
- Best option for Todd Helton still appears to be the Angels, in Stark’s mind. That does not seem workable to me, because Casey Kotchman has broken out and Vlad needs access to the DH spot.
- Speaking of DHs, this might finally be the year Mike Sweeney gets traded and gets to play for a contender. If he heats up, maybe the Twins could snag him.
- Michael Bourn could be a trade candidate, if the Phillies decide he’s only a future fourth outfielder. Probably makes sense to keep him around if Aaron Rowand is going to walk after this season.
- The Astros are buyers, and they have all sorts of needs. A young catcher would be nice, but those are always in short supply.
- Speaking of young catchers, Jarrod Saltalamacchia has received interest but the Braves are not biting. A lot hinges on Scott Thorman‘s performance and, of course, which young player the Braves are offered for Salty. Most teams would love to have him.
Rangers Sign Lofton
Ken Rosenthal reports that the Rangers are close to signing the one legitimate center fielder remaining on the free agent market – Kenny Lofton. All that would be left: Darin Erstad and Steve Finley.
Lofton will turn 40 in May. He’s above average offensively for his position, though his range is obviously slipping. The Rangers will sort out the corners and DH spot with Frank Catalanotto, Brad Wilkerson, Nelson Cruz, and Jason Botts.
The Cubs may have to get creative for their CF vacancy until Felix Pie is ready.
UPDATE: The deal is said to be for one year and $6MM.
Rogers: Cubs After Lofton
According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs are "working to sign" Kenny Lofton to play center field. Rogers was quoting a Major League source in the article.
Should Julio Lugo opt for the Mets or Red Sox, the Cubs are basically left with Lofton as the only reasonable free agent center fielder. The backup plan appears to be using Alfonso Soriano there.
I think Lofton is a fine idea for the Cubs; I thought so last year too. You get a decent OBP on a one-year deal. Lofton’s defense doesn’t impress at this point, and 130 games is a stretch, but it’s a smart low-risk move. The oft-touted Felix Pie will be 22 next season; he could learn as Lofton’s backup and won’t be blocked when he’s ready.
There’s also a nostalgia factor – Lofton played center for the Cubs when they last had a decent team in 2003.
Importing a center fielder would make Matt Murton or Jacque Jones the odd man out. With Murton playing for cheap and posting a .319/.390/.522 second half, it would be hard to part with him.
If the Cubs were to attempt to find a CF via trade, here are some possibilities: Rocco Baldelli, Eric Byrnes, Ryan Freel, Aaron Rowand, Willy Taveras, or Reggie Willits.
UPDATE: The link above is dead; it’s been replaced with this one. There is no mention of Lofton in it, for some reason.
In addition, this article from MLB.com says that Jim Hendry has yet to meet with Ted Lilly‘s agent and does not intend to trade Murton. The idea of moving Jones to center is mentioned.