Yanks set to acquire Lawton?

[General]

The New York Yankees are close to a deal to acquire outfielder Matt Lawton from the Chicago Cubs, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.

The Yankees would send a minor-league player to be named to complete the deal.

Lawton is batting .266 with 11 homers and 49 RBI

This would be Lawton's second trade of the season. He was dealt from Pittsburgh to the Cubs last month in a swap of outfielders. Jody Gerut was sent to the Pirates in exchange for Lawton, who has also played for the Twins (1995-01), Mets (2001) and Indians (2002-04).

Lawton, 33, is a career .269 hitter with 136 homers. He is a free agent after this season


ESPN thinks so.

[Hammer]

justin berg from staten island is the minor league player.

[General]

Looks like the Cubbies are packing it in for next season.

[Veovis]

He has got some pop and he is probably an improvement over Bernie offensively at this point.

[RLA68]

He is a great pick up for nothing.

We could have a great bench come playoff time.

[General]

Will this mean that Matsui FINALLY plays CF?

[joek]

I don't think so.

[General]

It should.

[joek]

On second thought, it would be logical, but Bernie has to be the DH then, leaving Martinez on the bench.

[browntown653]

Lawton's a decent player, but this just clutters the offense even more, doesn't it?

[Saber]

Well, the best lineup from this would be Lawton with Matsui and Sheffield in the outfield, with Giambi at first. You're pretty much giving up on defense with that, though.

[joek]

Lawton's a decent player, but this just clutters the offense even more, doesn't it?

Womack and Tino will be used as pinch runner, pinch hitter, and late defense. They are after a playoff spot and the goal is the WS. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. I rather have too much than too little. Even the starting pitchers are coming around, and it will be a dogfight for starting spots for some.

[browntown653]

Well, the best lineup from this would be Lawton with Matsui and Sheffield in the outfield, with Giambi at first. You're pretty much giving up on defense with that, though.

Yeah, but at least Lawton/Matsui is an improvement from Matsui/Bernie defensively. Play Tino at first 2/3 times a week, I say.

[RLA68]

You can never have enough bench help.

Lawton gives us much more defense, with the option of who is hot to DH. Sierra is right around the corner to come back.

Lawton's a decent player, but this just clutters the offense even more, doesn't it?