Cubs might go after Lofton

[southsider2k5]

Pittsburgh center fielder Kenny Lofton was named this week to replace Corey Patterson on the Internet balloting for the remaining All-Star spot. The spot went to Milwaukee's Geoff Jenkins, but Lofton still could replace Patterson if a deal between the Pirates and the Cubs can be worked out to acquire the 36-year-old veteran.

 

The East Chicago, Ind., native is midway through a one-year deal. A trade would bring him to Chicago for the second time in two seasons, following his 93-game stint in 2002 with the White Sox.

 

Lofton went to San Francisco in midseason and helped Cubs manager Dusty Baker, then with the Giants, win a pennant. Lofton has 16 stolen bases and his ability to be a leadoff hitter would allow Mark Grudzielanek to return to his No. 2 spot in the lineup.

 

"He brought electricity, a bona fide leadoff man," Baker said. "He can play and he was playing hurt most of the year last year. He loves to play."

 

Lofton is hitting .282 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs. He was a member of the 1997 National League All-Stars as an Atlanta Brave and made four All-Star teams while with the Cleveland Indians.

 

Baker is not concerned with the pressures there might be on a player returning to play near his home. Lofton has been in the majors since 1991 and has the advantage of years in dealing with outside pressures.

 

"There are a lot of distractions early in your career," Baker said. "You and your homeboys are still hanging out, most are single, most want to come over or you want to go hang out with them, and a lot of times people can think your house is their hotel, bank, restaurant or liquor store.

 

"But after everybody gets up in age and has a family, job, I've always thought it was easier to come to your home city later in your career."

 

Lofton, whom the Pirates might not want to deal within their division, is not the only option under consideration for the Patterson vacancy. General manager Jim Hendry is talking with various teams and also keeping an eye on David Kelton, who has moved to center field at Triple-A Iowa.

 

"I'm not worried about Corey for the future; Corey's going to come back and be fine," Hendry said. "[Kelton] is an athlete. He's in [our] system. We all know he's an offensive player and an above-average runner, so why not take a chance?

 

"You don't know whether the deals you're going to make in the next couple of weeks are going to entail a quality center fielder or not. [Kelton is our] best in-house offensive player in Iowa, so no harm trying. Any position he plays … is not only beneficial to us short term [but] beneficial for him long term."

 

Patterson was emerging as a linchpin in the Cubs' offense. But it was his speed on defense that was perhaps his biggest asset .

 

"Center field, catcher and shortstop; you have to be strong up the middle [fielding]," Baker said. "But we have a guy out there who can run that ball down in center as well as anybody around in Tom Goodwin.

 

"I love speed. Speed is probably the toughest thing to find in baseball today."