Buzz: Mets Kick Around Lofton
Yesterday, in a report for ESPN.com, Jayson Stark stuck in the following bit of buzz…
“Once the Santana trade is done, expect the Mets to swoop into the free-agent market to add an outfielder…One name they’ve kicked around: Kenny Lofton.”
In 136 games for the Rangers and Indians last 
season, the 40-year-old Lofton hit .295 with 26 extra base hits and 23 stolen bases.
…i keep hearing other fans talk about how the Mets need a power-bat off the bench, who can play outfield, and who can hit lefties so to spot Ryan Church from time to time, because, apparently, people believe church is unable to hit left-handed pitching…
…yes, church struggles against lefties last season…but he hit lefties about the same as righties the year before, and in 2005, he hit .367 against lefties in just 28 games played…so, it’s not like he’s incapable of hitting lefties, i think he just struggled against them last season…though, time will tell…
…nevertheless, i think the Mets are pretty excited and committed to church as an every day player…as they should be…regardless of who is on the mound against him…
…that said, my sense is that they’re looking for a guy more like lofton, then a guy like, say, Kevin Mench…i think they prefer on base percentage, speed and defense…which is probably why lofton’s name is being ‘kicked around,’ like stark says…
Since 1995, Lofton has been in the post-season every year except 2005 – when he had the misfortune of being on the Phillies.
