http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/NASAp...s_phi&fext=.jsp

 

 

In falling short of their expectations, the 2004 Phillies lacked stability in center field and some good luck.

Philadelphia general manager Ed Wade took care of both shortcomings with one move on Friday, completing the long-anticipated trade for Kenny Lofton with the New York Yankees.

 

Lofton, who at the age of 37 still packs the potency somewhat idled on the Yankees' crowded roster, is expected to become a prime-time player in Citizens Bank Park.

 

Even if he winds up sharing center field with Jason Michaels, as the lefty-hitting half of a platoon, Lofton would emerge as a core player; last season, the Phillies faced right-handed starters three out of every four games.

 

As for the luck: Whereever Lofton has gone during a 14-season career, success has followed. He has appeared in nine of the last 10 playoffs, with five different teams.

 

Not that he has particularly enjoyed the life of a vagabond.

 

 

ON THE MOVE

Phillies get:

Kenny Lofton, CF

 

Yankees get:

Felix Rodriguez, P

 

 

"It's been very tough," Lofton admitted in his first few minutes as a Phillie. "I'm the type of guy who likes to settle down, and it's been tough the last three or four years. An opportunity to go in and settle in is all I wanted to do."

 

"But he's played a big part on each of those teams," noted Wade, who had been trying to land the fleet, Gold Glove outfielder since last July's trading deadline.

 

The deal, in which the Phillies also received cash considerations, finally happened for right-handed reliever Felix Rodriguez.

 

Following his midseason acquisition from San Francisco, Rodriguez gave the Phillies quality (3.00 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 21 innings) work.

 

However, both Wade and manager Charlie Manuel valued Lofton's physical tools and veteran wiles.

 

"We've been talking about Lofton ever since last year's Spring Training, and we tried to get him [in July]," Manuel said. "He can help us. He won't play 162 games, but he'll be able to give us 350-400 at-bats. He'll play a big role on our team."

 

"We're very happy to have Kenny Lofton with us," Wade said. "To be able to get a legitimate quality center fielder is a big step forward for us. Michaels did a very good job for us, but at this point, we believe Kenny is our center fielder and will be a catalyst for our club."

 

With 545 stolen bases, he leads all active Major Leaguers. Lofton led the American League in steals in each of his first five full seasons (1992-96), totaling 325 steals in that span.

 

Shockingly, only seven of those came last season, when Bronx depth and leg injuries limited him to a career-low 83 games. His previous steals low had been 16 for the 2001 Indians.

 

Managing that Cleveland club, of course, was Manuel, who had urged Wade to make this reunion happen -- Manuel can still look forward to being reunited with yet another key cog of those Indians, catcher Sandy Alomar Jr.

 

 

 

 

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Wade noted in announcing the deal, "Charlie Manuel was with Kenny in Cleveland and he's excited about having him in center field in 2005.

 

"The first time I saw Kenny was playing Triple-A baseball," Manuel said. "I've always admired Kenny's ability and the things he can do in a game. He's getting a little bit older, but he can still play the game very well."

 

Lofton sounded eager to turn the page after a personally frustrating season.

 

"I'm just happy to have an opportunity to play," Lofton said. "That's what I'm all about, to go out and help a team win. Being under Charlie before, he understands the type of person I am and the type of player that I try to be. He understands that I'm a winner.

 

"We have a relationship like a father and son. He keeps it loose, and I felt real comfortable being around him. He jokes around to make guys feel comfortable around him."

 

"Kenny comes across as a guy who's a little bit stuck on himself and he can be a little stubborn at times," Manuel said. "But he's a guy that if you talk to him and let him know what's going on as far as where he's at, and push him a little bit -- if you're up front with him, he's fine."

 

"I know Kenny's playing time was somewhat limited last year because of certain circumstances," Wade noted. "His track record over the past few years shows that he's done the lion's share of the patrolling in center field, and that's going to be the opportunity presented to him here as well.

 

"Kenny brings more speed to our lineup and he puts the ball in play, plus he covers a lot of ground in the outfield. Acquiring him now allows us to spend the remainder of the offseason focusing on filling our other needs."

 

Not everything about 2004 was a forgettable experience for Lofton. In August, he notched career hit No. 2,000. In four playoff games, he batted .286 with a home run.

 

Lofton's postseason resume is fat. He has appeared in 81 playoff games, with six homers and 28 RBIs and 32 steals.

 

 

 

 

keeping up with N.L East activity

keeping up with N.L East activity

626899[/snapback]

 

You might be, the Marlins aren't.

keeping up with N.L East activity

626899[/snapback]

 

You might be, the Marlins aren't.

626906[/snapback]

 

Eh, I don't think the Marlins have to counteract the addition of Kenny Lofton.

Very solid move by the Yanks IMHO.

FIne with me.. atleast that takes them out of the Beltran running.. if they were ever in it.

keeping up with N.L East activity

626899[/snapback]

 

You might be, the Marlins aren't.

626906[/snapback]

 

Eh, I don't think the Marlins have to counteract the addition of Kenny Lofton.

626911[/snapback]

 

Its not only that move. I for one didn't exactly dislike the moves tha National's made a few weeks ago. They had their way with the marlins when they wanted to, or so it seemed. And they finally will play 81 games in one home site for the first time in a while.

 

The Phillies have wanted someone other than Byrd since last year, so they finally got their man. The Marlins want someone other than Enc, and I don't forsee a way they can change having him on the opening day roster next year.

 

Also, the Marlins should be counteracting the fact they finished 13 games back in a "weak" division last year. I call it a weak division because a lot of people on the boards have said the division will be weak next year, I don't see how it would be any weaker than this year.

Actually, its not a good move for the Phillies, since they traded away one of their better relief pitchers...and we all recall how the Phillies struggled with some of their relievers, such as veteran Roberto Hernandez last year, and Mesa at times in 03.

I say this deal is actually good for us, I think the phillies just downgraded themselves by getting a mediocre centerfileder and giving away a decent bullpen arm. Good news for the fish actually looking at it.

not good considering loften is always in the playoffs. :plain

not a bad deal for the phills ... and the old man can still put the ball in play like no other

 

 

... I guess this means that they are being careful for yet another dissapointing year from Marlon Byrd

 

 

oh yeah and Felix Rodriguez sucks

Very solid move by the Yanks IMHO.

626914[/snapback]

Agreed. Yanks wanted to do this trade with Giants when Rodriguez was there and Giants didn't bite.

As a fan of the Marls, I consider it a good deal, because its one less good reliever setting up before Wagner on the Phillies.