OK, so I’m kind of tapped out on posting ideas but today I was kicking around the idea of the Cards signing Kenny Lofton. Yes, he is known to be a little punk and probably is an organizational mismatch, but hear me out for a moment:
- After scribbling out a few lineups today after the Glaus trade, it’s painfully obvious that the Cardinals have no true lead off hitter. Last season Lofton had a .367 OBP between playing for Texas and Cleveland. He stole 23 bases at a 77% success rate at the ripe old age of 40.
- Colby Rasmus could be that lead off hitter, and he now has a real shot at making the team out of spring training, but that would be quite an aggressive promotion. While I think the Raz could be capable of handling it, the fact is despite putting up a solid overall line he was extremely streaky hitter in AA and probably could stand a little more seasoning.
- Do I think Colby needs a full season in AAA? No I don’t. I think a half season or so should suffice.
- Last year, Lofton was shipped to Cleveland for C Max Ramirez. John Sickels ranked Ramirez the # 8 prospect in a stacked Texas system and gave him a B grade. Put him in the Cardinal system and according to Sickels he would’ve been rated our #5 prospect. We know Lofton has been swapped more often then spit at a prom afterparty (oh, I kill me) and could fetch another B prospect at the deadline.
- The only downside I see -and it is considerable downside- is that it may cause Brian Barton to lose his spot on the roster. More likely he would cost Skip Schumaker his spot, whom many are penciling in as the Cardinal lead off man now. Yikes.
Am I nuts? Maybe. He does turn 41 this year. Last year he was signed for $6M, which is the amount the Cardinals saved by swapping Edmonds for Freese. Seems to me that pros outweigh the cons, but maybe I’m overlooking something.
Filed under: Colby Rasmus
erik
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fewgoodcards
roarke49
theredbaaron
Would we lose a draft pick or was he not offered arb?
I agree. Signing Lofton would make perfect sense he fills the CF role and can bat leadoff. He is a lefty which means he takes Skippy’s place instead of Barton’s. The only downside is that I hate Kenny Lofton. However, I think I could stand him if he got on base at a .367 clip in front of the likes of Pujols and Glaus.
1. Lofton CF
2. Ankiel RF
3. Pujols 1B
4. Glaus 3B
5. Duncan LF
6. Molina C
7. Kennedy 2B
8 Pitcher (crazy Tony)
9. Izturis SS
If it wasn’t for the offensive black hole in our middle infield that would be a solid lineup.
If we want a youth movement, let it be it!!
Barton/Skip/Raz/Hoff will have to win the leadoff spot, let’s prepare a backup plan in case of total failure, but we have to trust the movement.
GO CARDS!!!
Two things-
One, if we really think that signing Lofton would bump Skip, rather than Barton, then its not too bad of an idea. Tony eems to like Skip, though, and I would be concerned that Barton would be the one more likely to be moved.
Two, if it seems more likely that Barton loses his spot, then the filter becomes, “would the return prospect in a Lofton deal potentially be better than Barton? Personally, I think getting a better return for Lofton would be a pretty tall order.
Overall, I think I would have to say no to signing Lofton, but not emphatically. I don’t know, it’s an intriguing idea; I need to consider it a bit longer before I’m absolutely sure that’s how I feel.
Correct me if I’m wrong couldn’t 6M actually buy a prospect better than Max? Oh, you want to trade at the deadline, well think that 4M before we trade him that could get us next years Harvey, Russell, and Arrieta. Oh, the draft isn’t your thing, sign a couple top flight international talents.*
Father time could catch up with Kenny and that would waste 6M on a team thats going nowhere to begin with.
And it would likely cost a shot for Barton.
I honestly see no pros and all cons. But I’m the negative type. Now I could see the Cardinals signing him, but only to attract fans, same reason I think we have Glaus instead of prospects.
*Not that the Cards would do that just an example.
I’m with the baron. If I was certain that this Spring would bring fair competition for Skip and Barton, I’d like the signing. I’m afraid though that Larussa will prefer Skip, and Barton would have to have a GREAT spring to make the team.
I really think Barton has potential as a lead-off hitter.
I like the idea.
To be honest, at this point I don’t think Skip is one of the Cards best 4 options in the outfield (Duncan, Ankiel, Ludwick, Barton).
No it really doesn’t make sense. It’s been mentioned on 1380 several times that LaRussa and him do not get along. Plus at this point in time he’s a platoon player at best. Last year he hit .223 against LH pitching. His other #’s against LH pitching were terrible with a OBP.290 SLG.255 OPS.545.
I wanted to add that over the last 3 years he couldn’t hit LH pitching.
avg. .246, OBP .301, SLG .290, OPS. .591
Those are not good #’s. He hits RH great though. We already have Duncan who can’t hit LH and now we’d add another plus with his attitude, NO.
I was going to say no. I still say no but you almost had me with that argument. As a place holder and potential trade fodder I saw for a moment a reason to sign him. But I would rather see the kids get some swings.
I say no. With his attitude, I think he would take Rolen’s place as Tony’s favorite son.
If I’m not mistaken, they lose Barton if he doesn’t make the roster, and Schumaker would be exposed to waivers. Either one of them could come close to maching Lofton for a fraction of the cost.
Would the Lofton prospect return be better than Schumaker or Barton? Probably not.
When Rasmus shows up, that’s three lefty outfielders that should be starting. That would mean they were carrying six outfielders, because Tony won’t roll with one right handed outfielder. Which leaves them with no backup infielder again.
That would be a convenient time for Barton’s knee to begin acting up. A loophole to get him some AAA at bats and buy some time. Or they could try to pass Schu through waivers at that point, since they would no longer have any use for him.
Besides, Hoffpauir might be the best leadoff option by June.
I don’t know. Many of us have been up in arms about some of the moves indicating that Tony’s still calling the shots. This would be proof of that and would be an admission that we think we’ve got a shot this year and we’re not really rebuilding. Fair enough I suppose. Maybe we do have a shot. After ‘06 anything can happen. But I don’t really believe it and, as much as I’ve appreciated Lofton lo these many years, I don’t know if he brings us closer to contention than Barton/Schumaker. For us to contend a lot of things that could possibly happen will HAVE to happen. Lofton or Barton/Schumaker coming through would only be one of them. I’d rather go with something that would be useful to us in ‘09 and beyond and just might be as good or better now. The Glaus trade may have given us hope and I think that’s cool but let’s keep our eyes on the long term prize, contention in ‘09 and beyond.
After his antics in the 2002 NLCS plus his time with the Cubs, I wouldn’t want him on the team. Statistically, it might be a fairly solid idea, but I can’t believe the fan base would get behind him, even if he came out with a torrid start.
I just don’t see Lofton being enough of an improvement to take at bats away from the young outfielders we have.
Would anyone take Barry Bonds leading off or batting second?
“Would anyone take Barry Bonds leading off or batting second?”
Yes — if it meant a trade of Duncan or Ankiel.
Lofton’s had a fine underrated career, but at age 40 his skills could erode precipitously overnight. Leadoff hitter? How about a guy with an OBP v. lefties of nearly .375 over the past two years. Believe it or not, that’s Aaron Miles.
Against RHP’s, well…I dunno. Adam Kennedy has a lifetime OBP of .336 against northpaws, which isn’t good but won’t kill you. Brendan Ryan doesn’t hit righties & Izturis doesn’t hit anybody, of course.
I am 99% convinced Colby Rasmus is ready for the majors right now, with both the leather and the lumber–but hitting 2nd in front of Albert would seem the gentlest way to introduce him to MLB pitching, so leadoff might not be the way to go.
By the way, Colby’s most recent 220 plate appearances:
.350/.460/.720, with 35 walks and 36 strikeouts. Maybe that’s just an extended hot streak that coincidentally came at season’s end–but if it’s mostly real, and I believe it is, then Rasmus is ready to pound major league pitching today.