With the Cleveland Indians visiting the Texas Rangers this weekend, there was plenty of discussion on whether or not the Tribe should be interested in former Indian and current Ranger CF Kenny Lofton. With the injuries to David Dellucci and Shin-Soo Choo, and the lack of production from Trot Nixon, the ballclub needs some more offense from the outfield. Would Lofton provide it? Or would another option be more desirable?
First of all, if the Indians traded for the man who patrolled the middle of the outfield at Jacobs Field a decade ago, Eric Wedge is not going to move Grady Sizemore down in the order and hit Lofton leadoff. More than likely, the former Arizona basketball standout would bat second, eighth, or ninth in the lineup. The Indians need more of a middle of the order stick than another guy who can get on base. Among the players manning the corner outfield spots for the Tribe, Franklin Gutierrez has the most homers with five. Nixon and Ben Francisco both have three, and the latter has forty big league at bats.
At this stage of his career, Lofton is a platoon player. Against right handers, he is hitting .325 with a 876 OPS, against southpaws, he is a .200 hitter with an OPS under 600. He also cannot play RF because of his below average arm, which would force Dellucci to that spot when he returns, and he’s not going to win any Gold Gloves either. That’s assuming Nixon would be the guy who would ultimately be replaced.
I think a healthy Choo is a better option than Lofton, and you wouldn’t have to trade a prospect to get him. Choo is a better defensive outfielder, and can play right better than Nixon. He had an 846 OPS after coming up to the Tribe in late July last season, showing patience and some pop at the plate. Plus, he will be better with experience. According to reports, Choo will be resuming baseball activities in five to seven days after suffering an elbow injury. He would be able to hit sixth or seventh in the order, providing support for the middle of the lineup.
With all of the hoopla surrounding the Tigers after the All Star break, they did sweep one of the ESPN darling franchises, the Red Sox, after all, you would think the race in the Central Division was over. But, here is the Tribe sitting just one game off the pace set by Detroit. Really, when you think about it, the only hitter having a career year for the Tribe is Victor Martinez. The rest of the lineup is performing at their usual standards or below. They need other starting pitchers to pick up the pace, though.
Cliff Lee continued his struggles on Saturday, allowing five runs in the first. Jake Westbrook tries to get his act together tonight in the series opener against Boston. Until others get going, the pressure on C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona to win is enormous, they can’t afford to lose. Still, this team is just one game behind the Tigers not only for the division lead, but for the best record in the American League. However, a tough home stand this week looms with the Red Sox and Twins coming in.
Here’s hoping the Indians continue to play well against the better teams, and the Jacobs Field magic keeps going. And remember, the trading deadline is eight days away.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 