Lawton to Pirates

[Amazinz]

For Arthur Rhodes per WFAN radio. No link yet.

[perlick29]

Good move, now the tribe finally gets their outfield settled with Ludwick Crisp and Sizemore. Plus they get a potential closer to boot.

[bronxxbomber]

Win Win for both clubs. The tribe gets to play their young talent and now the pirates get a decent leadoff hitter and a reason NOT to play tike redman.

[Amazinz]

Good move, now the tribe finally gets their outfield settled with Ludwick Crisp and Sizemore. Plus they get a potential closer to boot.

Didn't they sign Wickman? So I guess Rhodes will set up.

[kimchi_chigae]

i dunno. i don't really think it's a great move by the indians. yes, they do get to play their prospects now with lawton gone, but lawton was pretty decent for them last season and trading him for rhodes...they could have done better i think. it's a good move for the pirates though.

[perlick29]

i dunno. i don't really think it's a great move by the indians. yes, they do get to play their prospects now with lawton gone, but lawton was pretty decent for them last season and trading him for rhodes...they could have done better i think. it's a good move for the pirates though.

I dont think anybody lost in this deal, Rhodes is way better than he was last year. Even he sets up, thats fine he's a great setup man for a buillpen that sure as hell needs him.

[El Gaupo]

i dunno. i don't really think it's a great move by the indians. yes, they do get to play their prospects now with lawton gone, but lawton was pretty decent for them last season and trading him for rhodes...they could have done better i think. it's a good move for the pirates though.

I dont think anybody lost in this deal, Rhodes is way better than he was last year. Even he sets up, thats fine he's a great setup man for a buillpen that sure as hell needs him.

What I was thinking..except i see him closing.

[Zito is God]

Heres the link:

by Fanball Staff - Fanball.com
Saturday, December 11, 2004

News
The Pirates acquired outfielder Matt Lawton from the Indians in exchange for left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes in the first trade of baseball's winter meetings on Saturday. For Rhodes, it was the second time he's been traded in the past two weeks. He was sent to Pittsburgh by the A's as part of the deal for Jason Kendall on November 27. Lawton batted .270 with 20 home runs, 23 stolen bases, and 70 RBI in 150 games for the Tribe in 2004.

Views
Rhodes will serve as the Indians' setup man for closer Bob Wickman. Lawton will be used as a leadoff hitter in Pittsburgh and play one of the two corner outfield spots, replacing Kendall. His presence likely moves Jason Bay to center field and lands Tike Redman on the bench. Daryle Ward, Craig Wilson, and Rob Mackowiak will also see time at a corner outfield spot unless a rumored trade involving Wilson goes down.

[Zito is God]

I don't know if I like the move from our side (Indians fan). Rhodes is shaky, and has a hefty contract. as far as I remmember Lawton had a monster contract and if thats true the trade is good, otherwise, I would have stayed away from giving up your only sure-power hitter besides Hafner.

[LBJackal]

Let's just hope they don't put him in at closer. We saw how good this guy actually is last year. He'll be a lefty setup man and that's all he ever should have been. I'd put Wickman, Betancourt, and probably Riske in at closer before I even started thinking about giving Rhodes a significant role.

I wonder how many people who think Rhodes is good have taken a peek at his career stats and realized he's had 2 or 3 good seasons out of his 14 year career.