First Trade Of The Winter Meetings

[DONtheGREAT23]

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Reliever Arthur Rhodes was traded for the second time in two weeks Saturday, sent from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Cleveland Indians for outfielder Matt Lawton in the first trade of the winter meetings.

Rhodes, a 35-year-old left-hander, was acquired by Pittsburgh from Oakland on Nov. 27 in the trade that sent catcher Jason Kendall to the Athletics. Rhodes lost his closer's job last season while going 3-3 with a 5.12 ERA for the A's. He will become Bob Wickman's setup man in Cleveland.

Lawton was a huge disappointment with the Indians, who acquired him in the 2001 trade that sent Roberto Alomar to the New York Mets.


The 33-year-old battled injuries during much of his three seasons in Cleveland. With the Indians having a surplus of young outfielders, Lawton's playing time may have been mostly limited to a DH next season.

The team wanted to trade Lawton last season, but couldn't find anyone willing to take on his salary.

Lawton, who made $7.25 million in 2004 and will make the same amount next season, batted .270 with 20 homers and 70 RBIs in 150 games last season. He also had 23 steals but was caught nine times.

Rhodes gives the Indians a reliable left-hander in a bullpen that gave up many late-inning leads last season and converted only 32 of 60 save chances.

The Indians are still in the market for a starter and have offered a three-year deal to Matt Clement.

Each team will send cash to the other as part of the deal.

so yeah, um, not really sure how good of a trade this is but its not bad either

[SharksandAsFan]

Rhodes=sucks. ANy deal that gets rid of him is good for the Pirates

[Molina00]

I think whoever wrote that article forgot to mention that Lawton also scored over 100 runs for the Tribe last year. I will admit, the Indians need bullpen help, but I don't think giving up Lawton for Rhodes was a very good trade. Not unless Rhodes can pitch like he did his last 2 or 3 years with Seattle.

[Rudi]

I agree with Molina. Lawton was a great player, and to give him up for a single RP is not the brightest idea to me.

[hehateme71]

I also agree with molina, lawton seems to get forgotten alot, even though he did do some great things for the ball clubs he was on

[Magus Relmyn]

Good pickup on both sides. We all know how the Indians need a bullpen.

[Street]

Now, AO has to have a new favorite baseball player *sad* ..lol...seriously though the Indians did not make a bad deal because they had no need for lawton..they have young and good guys in the OF (Crisp,Sizemore for ex) and more

[gsbe44]

I think this deal is acutally good for CLE. Rhodes was a horrible closer i give you guys that. but when lawton got hurt and Coco came in as LF i was happy. I am a Coco Crisp fan so of course im parcial but still the point is they added a good reliable lefty set up man and Lawton will get to start in pit. Cle i believe saves money. and from what i heard they could be in the running for JD Drew.. so i think they have somthing planned out by moving lawton.

[X-Factor]

Rhodes is garbage. But the indians are too. This is just a good deal for the Pirates, who are quietly getting good

[AO street ballin]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20041211&content_id=920775&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp

This really pisses me off. Lawton is a good player and a good vet for that team and they trade him. The only players I like on the Indians now are Gerut, Martinez, and Sabathia. This season is gonna be a tough one.

[yankeesfan26]

http://www.everything-sports.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3361