Kenny Lofton?

[UK1679666180]

As talks for Soriano become the gossip focal point, would the Cubs consider Soriano at the position he always wanted to stick at (2B)? He's a defensive liability there, but offensively he's the best 2B in the game.

 

This leads me to my main point, if CF becomes a need and likely a stop-gap need depending on Pie's progression, would they consider Lofton again?

 

Age is a primary concern as well as a potential clubhouse mix problem with Lofton, but him and Soriano at the top would be nice and depending on what happens to Ramirez, would round out and likely conclude a top 5 NL offense.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Lofton wouldn't be my first choice, but he's not a horrible option either if we have Soriano at second.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

If Lofton is a clubhouse problem after 03, Dave Roberts would be a good stopgap for Pie too. Of course, this only works if the Cubs add offense elsewhere, like Soriano at 2B.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If Lofton is a clubhouse problem after 03

 

Huh?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

If Lofton is a clubhouse problem after 03

 

Huh?

 

There was some stuff in the papers about Lofton and Sosa not getting along and that there might have been some clubhouse chemistry issues down the stretch in 2003. I don't know who was at fault or what really happened, but Hendry might not be interested in Lofton because of that.

[Mephistopheles]

Ive always wondered how much of a defensive hit the Cubs would take putting a guy like Derrek Lee in centerfield. Sure he's a good defensive 1B, but it opens up the position and Lee's a good all-around athlete - he might not be a brick in centerfield.

 

Of course, I've always wondered how Lee would fair at shortstop. Of course it'll never happen, but oh well.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If Lofton is a clubhouse problem after 03

 

Huh?

 

There was some stuff in the papers about Lofton and Sosa not getting along and that there might have been some clubhouse chemistry issues down the stretch in 2003. I don't know who was at fault or what really happened, but Hendry might not be interested in Lofton because of that.

 

Hmm, never heard a peep about Kenny being at odds with anyone.

[UK1679666180]

Lofton has the rep. of being an extremely selfish player, the Schuerholz book mentioned this I believe.

 

I'd rather have Roberts as well, but the odds of a one year deal are slim.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

He had issues with Brad Penny this year too. Of course, Penny isn't exactly the easiest person to get along with in the clubhouse.

[Mizzou]

If Lofton is a clubhouse problem after 03

 

Huh?

 

There was some stuff in the papers about Lofton and Sosa not getting along and that there might have been some clubhouse chemistry issues down the stretch in 2003. I don't know who was at fault or what really happened, but Hendry might not be interested in Lofton because of that.

 

Hmm, never heard a peep about Kenny being at odds with anyone.

I heard of the Sosa incident as well. And as much as I like Sammy, I think it's probably safe to say that Sammy was at fault for that altercation. I've always heard that Lofton was a great teammate before that.

 

I wanted the Cubs to sign Lofton for '06. I'm not opposed to them signing him for '07, but I'd much rather see the Cubs sign Soriano for CF.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I heard of the Sosa incident as well. And as much as I like Sammy, I think it's probably safe to say that Sammy was at fault for that altercation. I've always heard that Lofton was a great teammate before that.

 

If I remember correctly, Lofton "questioned" Sosa's committment ot playing to win, or something like that. And people say Lofton isn't the easiest person to get along, but Sosa pissed off alot of people in Chicago (Wood/Girardi/Grace, etc, etc) so I tend to believe Kenny was in the "right" with his altercation with Sosa.

 

I wanted the Cubs to sign Lofton for '06. I'm not opposed to them signing him for '07, but I'd much rather see the Cubs sign Soriano for CF.

 

Why do people continue to sign the Soriano to CF song? I don't get it.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I want Soriano for CF. He's a butcher at 2B and Murton can't play CF or RF passably well.

 

Soriano is ML average in LF right now, after 1 season there. Scouts think he can be average in CF given time (or above average in LF).

 

Where would you want Soriano, NA?

[Mizzou]

Why do people continue to sign the Soriano to CF song? I don't get it.

He hit 300 this year with a 360 OBP... he can still play. Other than the injury risk (which you'd have to acknowledge by having a competent CF-er on the bench if you were to sign him), why wouldn't you want Lofton?

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

I'd like Kenny Lofton as a bench player only...but I don't think he's ready for that, he still believes that he is an everyday starter.

[Wheelimus]

If the choice came down to, say

 

Juan Pierre, 3/25

 

or

 

Kenny Lofton, 1/4

 

I'll take option 2 every freaking day of the week, and twice on Sunday...

[Drew Doughty]

Ive always wondered how much of a defensive hit the Cubs would take putting a guy like Derrek Lee in centerfield. Sure he's a good defensive 1B, but it opens up the position and Lee's a good all-around athlete - he might not be a brick in centerfield.

 

Of course, I've always wondered how Lee would fair at shortstop. Of course it'll never happen, but oh well.

 

In MVP 05, after a draft I had Lee, Pujols, and Sweeney on the same roster. Pujols ended up in right, Lee in left, and Sweeney at first.

 

I've wondered how Lee would fair in left, personally. Seems like there have been a few corner infielders who have made the trip out there, though some unsuccessfully. I wouldn't be opposed to the idea if we had a great replacement for him.

[soccer10k]

If the choice came down to, say

 

Juan Pierre, 3/25

 

or

 

Kenny Lofton, 1/4

 

I'll take option 2 every freaking day of the week, and twice on Sunday...

 

I agree completely. I'm all in favor of a stopgap in CF so Pie doesn't have to step in immediately.

[Wheelimus]

The cool thing about the stopgap is, there's no damage done if Pie steps it up and you think "he's ready" come spring training. It's not like Kenny Lofton is standing in the way. If Pie's ready to put up big numbers, Kenny becomes your fourth outfielder.

 

Either really upgrade (Soriano, A. Jones trade, etc.) or find a stopgap. Or just play Pie. But either before you sign a mediocre player.

[USSoccer]

I heard of the Sosa incident as well. And as much as I like Sammy, I think it's probably safe to say that Sammy was at fault for that altercation. I've always heard that Lofton was a great teammate before that.

 

If I remember correctly, Lofton "questioned" Sosa's committment ot playing to win, or something like that. And people say Lofton isn't the easiest person to get along, but Sosa pissed off alot of people in Chicago (Wood/Girardi/Grace, etc, etc) so I tend to believe Kenny was in the "right" with his altercation with Sosa.

 

I wanted the Cubs to sign Lofton for '06. I'm not opposed to them signing him for '07, but I'd much rather see the Cubs sign Soriano for CF.

 

Why do people continue to sign the Soriano to CF song? I don't get it.

 

I think Lofton went after Sosa after Game 7 for not taking more pitches in the 8th inning.

 

There was a rumor that someone threw a punch.

[VanceJergins]

I heard of the Sosa incident as well. And as much as I like Sammy, I think it's probably safe to say that Sammy was at fault for that altercation. I've always heard that Lofton was a great teammate before that.

 

If I remember correctly, Lofton "questioned" Sosa's committment ot playing to win, or something like that. And people say Lofton isn't the easiest person to get along, but Sosa pissed off alot of people in Chicago (Wood/Girardi/Grace, etc, etc) so I tend to believe Kenny was in the "right" with his altercation with Sosa.

 

I wanted the Cubs to sign Lofton for '06. I'm not opposed to them signing him for '07, but I'd much rather see the Cubs sign Soriano for CF.

 

Why do people continue to sign the Soriano to CF song? I don't get it.

 

I think Lofton went after Sosa after Game 7 for not taking more pitches in the 8th inning.

 

There was a rumor that someone threw a punch.

 

That doesnt seem like it would bode well for Kenny, he's not a big guy.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Why do people continue to sign the Soriano to CF song? I don't get it.

He hit 300 this year with a 360 OBP... he can still play. Other than the injury risk (which you'd have to acknowledge by having a competent CF-er on the bench if you were to sign him), why wouldn't you want Lofton?

 

I was talking about Soriano and you replied with Lofton....Hmmm....I would like Lofton, that's been my stance. And quite frankly on a personal level I thought Lofton was prolly his happiest when he played for the Cubs (seeing as he was a Cub fan growing up), so I wouldn't mind a 2nd dance with Lofton.

[UK1679666180]

With Lofton, you'd need a better 4th OF'er than what has been the norm over the last few years. I would go with Jose Cruz Jr. as a poss., b/c he should be cheaper and has done well vs. LH'ers.

[soapy]

With Lofton, you'd need a better 4th OF'er than what has been the norm over the last few years. I would go with Jose Cruz Jr. as a poss., b/c he should be cheaper and has done well vs. LH'ers.

This is important. Lofton isn't going to go out there for 150+ games at this point. A reliable backup would be needed.