Giants deal for Lofton
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Kenny Lofton always wants to be in a pennant race, and the San Francisco Giants have always wanted a leadoff hitter who could play center field. Lofton and the Giants both got what they wanted on Sunday when San Francisco acquired the speedy six-time All-Star from the Chicago White Sox for two minor leaguers.
“It’s a great opportunity to get into a playoff race, and that’s always exciting,” Lofton said. “It was tough to leave Chicago, but sometimes you just have to go with your heart.”
Lofton sacrificed a significant amount of potential bonus money to join the Giants in a trade that nearly was scuttled several times in the past few days because of financial concerns. When they were finally resolved, the Giants got the leadoff-hitting outfielder they’ve lacked for so long.
“The team thinks this is really a shot in the arm,” Giants general manager Brian Sabean said. “Kenny wanted to come here in the offseason as a free agent, and Lord knows we wanted someone here in the leadoff spot.”
The Giants sent right-hander Felix Diaz and left-hander Ryan Meaux to Chicago in exchange for Lofton, who’s hitting .259 with eight homers, 42 RBIs and 22 stolen bases with the White Sox this season. He’s sixth in the AL in stolen bases and third in triples.
Lofton will be expected to contribute immediately to a San Francisco outfield that was missing Barry Bonds, Reggie Sanders, Tsuyoshi Shinjo and Marvin Benard during a weekend series against Los Angeles because of injuries.
The Giants’ outfielders for the series were veteran retreads Tom Goodwin and Shawon Dunston, utility infielder Ramon Martinez, and Tony Torcato, who made his major league debut this weekend.
“We’re glad to have Kenny, and we got him in the nick of time,” Giants manager Dusty Baker said. “Not only do we want him, but we need him. He’s a proven winner who will add a lot of excitement and spark the team.”
Though probably past his prime at 35, Lofton is the type of true leadoff hitter the Giants have lacked for years. San Francisco expects to play him no more than five times a week to maximize his effectiveness.
Sanders leads San Francisco with 17 stolen bases, but he typically hits in the heart of the order. Only struggling veteran Tom Goodwin has more than 10 stolen bases among the rest of the roster.
Lofton dropped a clause in his contract with the White Sox that guaranteed a significant bonus if the team reached a certain attendance threshold. The Giants, who play in packed Pacific Bell Park, would have certainly reached the mark.
“Money is nice, but sometimes you have to put that aside,” Lofton said. “I know how much fun it is to make a World Series. That’s why I wanted to get with the Giants.”
Lofton sat out of Chicago’s weekend games against Kansas City while trade rumors swirled. He’s expected to join the Giants in Philadelphia on Tuesday for a three-game series against the Phillies.
“The White Sox wanted to do Kenny a favor,” Sabean said. “He wanted to come here. … He’s playing for another contract next year.”
The Giants hope Lofton will give them a lift in the same way Andres Galarraga did last season. After arriving in a July trade, Galarraga nearly helped the Giants reach the playoffs. They finished two games behind Arizona in the NL West.
Sabean might not be done dealing, either. He’s still looking for a left-handed reliever to add to his bullpen, where Chad Zerbe and Troy Brohawn are the only southpaws.
Diaz was 3-5 with a 2.70 ERA in 12 starts for Double-A Shreveport this season. Meaux was 4-3 with 16 saves and a 2.68 ERA for Class-A Hagerstown, making the South Atlantic League All-Star team.
“We believe both pitchers have bright futures, and we look forward to immediately plugging them into our system,” White Sox general manager Ken Williams said.
The deal was the second in a week for the White Sox, who are 14 games behind Minnesota in the AL Central. Earlier in the week, Chicago sent infielder Ray Durham to the Oakland Athletics for a minor league pitcher.
To make room for Lofton, the Giants sent outfielder Tony Torcato back to Triple-A Fresno. Torcato, San Francisco’s top pick in the 1998 draft, made his major league debut this weekend after he was called up to start two games in the outfield.