Kenny Lofton, who played a key role in helping the Cleveland
Indians end a 41-year World Series drought in 1995 but was
traded away less than two years later, is heading back to Ohio.
The Indians and the free agent outfielder today agreed on a
three-year contract with a club option for a fourth year as part
of a stunning series of moves that shuffled the roster of the
defending American League champions.
The Indians made room for Lofton by trading popular centerfielder Marquis Grissom along with pitcher Jeff Juden to the Milwaukee Brewers for pitcher Ben McDonald, Ron Villone and Mike Fetters. Cleveland then shipped Fetters to the Oakland Athletics for pitcher Steve Karsay.
The Indians also signed free agent pitcher Dwight Gooden, who spent the last two seasons with the New York Yankees.
Grissom was involved in his second blockbuster deal in less than a year. A week prior to the 1997 season, the Atlanta Braves sent Grissom and fellow outfielder David Justice to Cleveland for Lofton and pitcher Alan Embree.
Lofton, a four-time Gold Glove winner and five-time American League stolen base champion, was traded by Cleveland because general manager John Hart feared he would get nothing in return when Lofton became a free agent. But Lofton may have hurt his market value with a subpar, injury-plagued season in Atlanta. Lofton hit .333, but struggled at times in the field and stole just 27 bases.
"I had a lot of good times in Cleveland and I was sad to leave when I did," Lofton said. "I'm happy to be back with the organization and hope to help in any way I can."
The 30-year-old Lofton made $4.75 million for the Braves in 1997
and reportedly was seeking $10 million per season. Various
reports claim that Lofton will receive $24 million over three
years from the Indians.
Lofton owns a .316 lifetime average with 44 homers, 309 RBI and
354 stolen bases in seven major league seasons. He began his
major league career with Houston in 1991 and was traded to
Cleveland prior to the 1992 season.
The Brewers, who move to the National League Central Division in
1998, reportedly made a five-year offer to Lofton last week.
"We wanted a leadoff hitter and pitching help," said Hart, who
gave a reported $5.6 million over five years to Gooden.
Gooden, who turned 33 last month, was 20-12 with a 4.97 ERA in
two seasons with the Yankees, including a 9-5 record with a 4.91
ERA in 19 starts and one relief appearance in 1997.
After spending most of his star-crossed career with the New York
Mets, the 1985 National League Cy Young Award winner pitched a
no-hitter for the Yankees against Seattle on May 14th, 1996. The
right-hander has a career record of 177-97 with a 3.31 ERA.
Gooden won all three of his starts against Cleveland last season
with a 2.25 ERA and is 5-0 against the Tribe in his career.
The Indians were looking for a starter due to the uncertain
status of free agent pitcher Orel Hershiser.
Grissom started slowly in Cleveland, but finished the season
hitting .262 and helped the Indians make their second trip to
the World Series in three years. The 30-year-old Grissom hit
.292 in the postseason and batted .360 in the seven-game World
Series against the Florida Marlins.
Grissom is scheduled to make $5 million in 1998 as part of a
five-year $25 million deal he signed with the Indians in May.
