Braves, Indians Deal Centers of Attention

In a blockbuster trade motivated primarily by economic considerations, the Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves exchanged three of baseball’s best outfielders Tuesday.

The Braves, freeing outfield room for Andruw Jones and Jermaine Dye and creating payroll flexibility for when Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine become free agents at the end of the season, dealt right fielder David Justice and center fielder Marquis Grissom to the Indians for center fielder Kenny Lofton and relief pitcher Alan Embree.

The Indians, who got only draft compensation when Albert Belle left as a free agent last winter, chose not to risk that scenario with Lofton, who is eligible for free agency when the 1997 season ends. General Manager John Hart said contract talks had gone far enough.

“We just felt we were not going to be able to retain him and that he was determined to file for free agency,” Hart said. “We acquired two all-star players in the prime of their careers who are signed to multiyear contracts. It was too hard to pass up.”

But Lofton said he never told the Indians that he was determined to file for free agency.

“That came from them, not me,” he said. “I know how many guys we’ve lost from our World Series team of 1995 [Belle, Carlos Baerga and Eddie Murray among them], that it’s strictly a business.

“I thought once Albert left, I’d have a great chance to spend my whole career in Cleveland, but I guess not. I’ve been underpaid for several years and one of the best players in the game. As a business, you expect to be rewarded, and I guess my reward is going to Atlanta. Eddie Murray [now with the Angels] called to tell me it’s part of the game, but it’s still a shock.”

The Braves could find themselves in a similar situation as the Indians were if Lofton remains unsigned and tests free agency, but General Manager John Schuerholz said, “He’s a high-caliber player coming to a high-caliber organization that’s committed to winning and willing to pay its players. I think we have as much going as anyone in baseball in trying to re-sign him.”

Lofton batted .317 last season and stole 75 bases, high in the American League for the fifth consecutive year. Grissom, who stole 28 bases and hit 23 homers while batting .308 for the Braves, will compensate for some of Lofton’s leadoff speed and some of Belle’s power, as will Justice, who played only 40 games last year because of a shoulder injury.

“We watched David in batting practice, outfield practice and games, and felt that he’s totally recovered from his injury,” Hart said.

A right fielder with the Braves, Justice, 30, will play left field for the Indians, with Grissom, 29, in center and Manny Ramirez in right. Kevin Mitchell and Brian Giles, who were expected to play left field in Belle’s absence, will become part of an overstocked pool of designated hitters, joining Kevin Seitzer and Julio Franco.

Lofton, 29, replaces Grissom in center field for the Braves. Jones is expected to play right, with a platoon of Dye and Ryan Klesko in left. Atlanta’s Schuerholz cited three reasons for the trade:

--The acquisition of baseball’s preeminent center fielder and leadoff man, plus a left-handed relief pitcher who can throw better than 90 mph and restricted opposing hitters to a .194 average last year.

--The emergence of Jones and Dye.

--Increased financial flexibility.

“We gave up two fine players, but we freed up a considerable amount of money that will allow us to be more aggressive if we need to acquire a player late in the season and in the retention of our own players,” he said, an obvious reference to Maddux, Glavine and now Lofton.

The Braves, who had a payroll of $55.7 million before the trade, picked up about $6.1 million in the deal, the difference between Lofton’s $4.5-million salary and Embree’s $206,000 and the $10.8 million that Justice and Grissom will be paid this year. Justice is also owed $6.5 million next year, and Grissom is guaranteed $4.8 million in both 1998 and ’99.

It also could represent a potential luxury tax savings of $1.87 million for the Braves.

Schuerholz said the focus is strictly on ’97 and winning a division title for the sixth time in the last seven years.

“I feel we’re as strong as we’ve ever been,” he said.

“Remember, Justice played only 40 games last year and we still reached the sixth game of the World Series. Our two youngsters [Jones and Dye] gained experience and maturity in the process. Their time has come.”

Justice said he was shocked and angered by the trade, even though it had been rumored for months that he would go to make room for Jones and Dye.

“I never really felt part of the team this spring, but with only a week to go until the start of the season, I was beginning to think they’d go in another direction and I’d get to open in the new [Atlanta] park,” he said.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

THE TRADE TO THE INDIANS

Center fielder, will replace Kenny Lofton in the field and at the top of the batting order. Batted .308 with 23 home runs and 28 stolen bases last season.

DAVID JUSTICE, Left fielder, brings big bat and salary. Moves from right field, where he played his entire career with Atlanta. Batted .321 but played only 40 games due to injury.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

THE TRADE TO THE BRAVES

KENNY LOFTON, Center fielder, arguably baseball’s preeminent center fielder and leadoff batter. Has won four consecutive Gold Gloves. In final year of contract.

ALAN EMBREE, Relief pitcher, left-hander with live arm joins team in dire need of middle relief to complement star cast of starters and closer Mark Wohlers. Salary: $206,000.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Here’s the Deal

A quick look at the trade in which the Cleveland Indians sent outfielder Kenny Lofton and reliever Alan Embree to the Braves for outfielders Marquis Grissom and David Justice: TRADED TO ATLANTA BRAVES

* KENNY LOFTON: Bats left, throws left . . . 29 . . . 6 feet, 180 pounds . . . Considered one of best leadoff hitters in baseball . . . Center fielder won Gold Glove in 1993-96 seasons . . . Salary: $4.75 million in last year of contract.

*--*

STATS AB R H HR RBI SB AVG 1996 662 132 210 14 67 75 .317 Career 2821 551 883 42 261 327 .313

*--*

* ALAN EMBREE: Throws left, bats left . . . 27 . . . 6-2, 190 pounds . . . Relief pitcher . . . Salary: $206,000.

*--*

STATS G IP W-L BB SO SV ERA 1996 24 31.0 1-1 21 33 0 6.39 Career 51 72.2 4-5 45 68 1 6.11

*--*

TRADED TO CLEVELAND INDIANS

* DAVID JUSTICE: Bats left, throws left . . . 30 . . . 6-3, 195 pounds . . . Right fielder sat out most of last season because of dislocated right shoulder . . . Salary: $6 million and $6.5 million in last two years of contract.

*--*

STATS AB R H HR RBI SB AVG 1996 140 23 45 6 25 1 .321 Career 2858 312 786 160 522 33 .275

*--*

* MARQUIS GRISSOM: Bats right, throws right . . . 29 . . . 5-11, 190 pounds . . . Center fielder’s base stealing has declined dramatically, swiping 76 and 78 in 1991 and 1991 and dropping to 29 and 28 the last two seasons. Salary: in second year of four-year deal that pays $4.8 million annually.

*--*

STATS AB R H HR RBI SB AVG 1996 671 106 207 23 74 28 .308 Career 3900 616 1096 89 392 323 .281

*--*