The Cubs attempted to fill both of their offensive holes in one fell swoop Tuesday, acquiring third baseman Aramis Ramirez and center fielder Kenny Lofton from Pittsburgh for Jose Hernandez and two minor-leaguers.
Ramirez, a 25-year-old who is hitting .280 with 12 home runs and 67 RBIs, was considered the key to the deal because he’s signed through 2004 and is to make $6 million next year. He’ll be Cubs property through 2005, when he’s arbitration eligible.
“I’m a little disappointed because I spent my whole career with the Pirates,” Ramirez said. “But I’m also excited. I’m really looking forward to playing with Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou, who are Dominicans like me. They’re great players and I’m hoping they can help me take my game to the next level.”
Though he’s considered a defensive liability at third with 23 errors this season, the Cubs were willing to take the chance on Ramirez to improve their lackluster offense, which ranks 10th in the National League in runs scored.
“He has battled some inconsistencies but is still a very talented guy,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. “Sometimes the change of scenery is what people need.”
Manager Dusty Baker may have to work his motivational magic on Ramirez, whose work ethic has been questioned. In 2001, he batted .300 with 34 home runs and 112 RBIs, but he hasn’t shown that kind of production since.
“Last year he wasn’t that good, the year before he was great,” Baker said. “Hopefully he can be great for us. He’s having a good year this year. When you’re 25, there are always some things you need to work on.”
Baker said it wasn’t fair to judge Ramirez on hearsay.
“We’ll see, maybe it’s his personality,” he said. “Before we start judging a guy, let’s talk to him before listening to rumors. Maybe it will help him. He has picked up four, five games in the standings.”
The Cubs also will send 24-year-old Triple-A pitcher Matt Bruback to the Pirates and a minor-league player to be named.
Lofton played with the White Sox last year and they shipped him to San Francisco before the trading deadline. There he helped Baker’s Giants go to the World Series. After growing up a Cubs fan in East Chicago, Ind., Lofton was ecstatic not only to be joining his favorite boyhood team, but also to be reunited with Baker.
“You’ll never understand how great a manager Dusty is unless you play for him,” Lofton said. “He’s awesome. He’s a player’s manager. He’s your friend, but you still know he’s the boss. I can’t wait to play for him again. It’s going to be great. The most important thing at this stage of my career is to win, and I know that club can win this division.”
Lofton, 36, who will fill Corey Patterson’s spot in center and assume the leadoff spot as well, is hitting .277 with 26 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. He had a 26-game hitting streak earlier this year and is a five-time All-Star.
Baker was glad to get a player like Lofton who can energize a club with his persona.
“Kenny brings a lot of energy to a ballclub,” Baker said. “Right now is a prime time for some more energy.”
Hendry acknowledged that the loss of Corey Patterson was tough for the club.
. “Some of the people I was talking [about] were not true center fielders, and he was the only one who fit that bill,” Hendry said of Lofton. “It worked out pretty well because we’ve had the same need for a while at third. In the pennant race we had two needs, and hopefully this takes care of both.”
With Tom Goodwin straining a hamstring during the third inning of Tuesday’s game, the acquisition of Lofton may have been perfect timing.
“I didn’t sit here and say we absolutely had to make a move,” Cubs right-hander Kerry Wood said. “We have been swinging the bats pretty well the last few days. But I think people were kind of expecting something to be done. I don’t think anyone is surprised. But it should make us a better ballclub. Ramirez is one of those guys obviously we’re glad we don’t have to face him.”
Hendry waited a while before making a move to improve the team, but he didn’t feel he could wait until the trading deadline.
“I didn’t want to go to [July 31],” Hendry said. “I felt the ballclub and the coaching staff deserved an opportunity to get some offensive help and a lift. I felt like the timing was good tonight.”
Kenny Lofton
REGULAR SEASON
YR, TM AB R H HR RBI SB AVG
’91, Hou 74 9 15 0 0 2 .203
’92, Cle 576 96 164 5 42 66 .285
’93, Cle 569 116 185 1 42 70 .325
’94, Cle 459 105 160 12 57 60 .349
’95, Cle 481 93 149 7 53 54 .310
’96, Cle 662 132 210 14 67 75 .317
’97, Atl 493 90 164 5 48 27 .333
’98, Cle 600 101 169 12 64 54 .282
’99, Cle 465 110 140 7 39 25 .301
’00, Cle 543 107 151 15 73 30 .278
’01, Cle 517 91 135 14 66 16 .261
’02, Sox 352 68 91 8 42 22 .259
’02 SF 180 30 48 3 9 7 .267
’03, Pit 339 58 94 9 26 18 .277
TOTALS 6305 1875 628 .297
1206 112 526
DIVISION SERIES
YR, OPP. AB R H HR RBI SB AVG
’95, Bos 13 1 2 0 0 3 .154
’96, Bal 18 3 3 0 1 3 .167
’97, Hou 13 2 2 0 0 0 .154
’98, Bos 16 5 6 2 4 2 .375
’99, Bos 16 5 2 0 1 2 .125
’01, Sea 19 2 2 1 3 0 .105
’02, Atl 20 5 7 0 2 1 .350
TOTALS 115 23 24 3 11 10 .209
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
YEAR, OPP. AB R H HR RBI SB AVG
’95, Sea 24 4 11 0 3 5 .458
’97, Fla 27 3 5 0 1 1 .185
’98, NYY 27 2 5 1 3 1 .185
’02, StL 21 4 5 1 2 1 .238
TOTALS 99 13 26 2 9 8 .263
WORLD SERIES
YEAR, OPP. AB R H HR RBI SB AVG
’95, Atl 25 6 5 0 0 6 .200
’02, Ana 31 7 9 0 2 3 .290
TOTALS 56 13 14 0 2 9 .250
Aramis Ramirez
Regular season
YR, TM AB R H HR RBI AVG
’98, Pit 251 23 59 6 24 .235
’99, Pit 56 2 10 0 7 .179
’00, Pit 254 19 65 6 35 .256
’01, Pit 603 83 181 34 112 .300
’02, Pit 522 51 122 18 71 .234
’03, Pit 375 44 105 12 67 .280
TOTALS 2061 222 542 76 316 .263
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