Now, then and now

One site I think baseball fans need to look at this time of year. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/ . It's like ESPN rumors, without having to pay for them.


In a recent post, the site linked to the Dallas Morning News, which reported the Indians are interested in bringing back Kenny Lofton (The site also says Omar Vizquel is on the block).

Lofton's name has been in the news lately, thanks to Gary Sheffield. Lofton made a brief comment yesterday in regards to what the Tigers outfielder said about Torre. He basically said he agreed with Sheffield's remarks.

Anyway, Lofton, who has played for eight teams since 2002, doesn't appear to be a clear fit with the Indians. He's still an effective player, and he will get traded (The Brewers are said to be interested). But the Indians don't need a leadoff hitter. Lofton would probably replace Trot Nixon in the lineup, and may move into the second spot in the order.

That's, of course, if a deal to Cleveland gets made, and I don't expect it to.

Still, I bet Lofton would like to return. He's hitting over .300, has stole 20 bases and scored 55 runs with the Rangers. But Cleveland is the only city he could go to where the aquisition would be treated as a big deal. Cleveland loves nostalgia, and it loves the 1995 team. The fans also loved Kenny Lofton.

And Lofton is one of the few players from the 1995 the Tribe could bring back. Here's a look at where the players on the 1995 roster are now. Thanks to Baseball-Reference.com

Tony Pena- First base coach for the Yankees; his son, who shares his name, was in Cleveland this weekend as a member of the Royals.

Paul Sorrento- Retired.

Carlos Baerga- Retired. Now an announcer for ESPN Deportes.

Jim Thome- Has hit 15 homers for the Titanic replica that is the 2007 White Sox.

Omar Vizquel- Finally appears to be showing his age with the Giants. After some great years with them, he's hitting .240 and his defense is no longer brilliant. But who could expect it to be? Vizquel turned 40 in April.

Albert Belle- Retired. Was sentenced to 90 days in jail last August for stalking.

Manny Ramirez- Not having a great year in Boston. He'll always be a hero there (and he'd be treated like one in Cleveland if he were to return) but has managed just 12 homers. Still Manny being Manny. But Manny's 35. When I watch Manny now, it reminds me of Adam West getting shot out of cannons in a Batman outfit.

Kenny Lofton - (See above).

Eddie Murray- The Hall of Famer celebrated 2007 by getting fired as a hitting coach for the second time in three years -- in the middle of the season. It was the Dodgers in 2007; Indians in 2005.

Sandy Alomar - Just signed with the Mets. One of my favorite players ever; and likely a future manager. But he keeps going, and God bless him for that.

Wayne Kirby- As of last year, was a hitting coach in the Rangers minor league system. Before that, worked in the Indians farm system.

Herbert Perry- Last game was with the Rangers in 2004.

Alvaro Espinoza- Retired.

Dave Winfield - Hall of Famer retired after his season with the Indians.

Ruben Amaro - Assistant General Manager of the Phillies.

Eddie "Scooter" Tucker- Retired.

Jesse Levis - Retired.

Billy Ripken - Co-hosts an XM radio show.

Brian Giles - Time may be catching up with him. The guy who hit 39 homers one season with the Pirates hasn't hit more than 23 since 2002. He's played just 54 games this year because of injury, and hit just two homers.

Jeremy Burnitz - Retired after a disappointing stint with the Pirates last year. Is only 38.

David Bell- Unclear whether he's retired. He hit 10 homers with the Phillies and Brewers last season, but hasn't played yet this year.

Charles Nagy- Pitching coach for the Salt Lake Bees, and affiliate of the Angels.

Dennis Martinez - Retired.

Orel Hershiser- Tries in vain to get his points in on ESPN's Baseball Tonight.

Mark Clark- Retired.

Chad Ogea - Retired.

Ken Hill - Retired.

Bud Black - Manager of the San Diego Padres.

Jose Mesa - After being released by the Tigers, is back with Phillies. Has an ERA under five, which in Philadelphia, is an accomplishment.

Julian Tavarez - Starter for the Red Sox. Has an ERA over five and a 5-7 record.

Eric Plunk- Retired. But still haunts my dreams.

Paul Assenmacher- Retired.

Jim Poole - Retired.

Jason Grimsley - Retired. Was the center of a steroid bust last year, when he pitched with Arizona.

Alan Embree - Still an effective late-inning reliever, now with the A's.

Albie Lopez -Retired.

Dennis Cook- Retired.

Paul Shuey - Amazingly, just pitched in a game for the Orioles. Before that, he had not made an appearance in a big league game since 2003.

Joe Roa - Retired.

John Farrell - The longtime member of the Indians front office was named pitching coach of the Red Sox this season.