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Lofton, Dodgers Agree to One-Year Deal

By KEN PETERS, AP Sports Writer
32 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES - Six-time All-Star Kenny Lofton agreed Tuesday to a $3.85 million, one-year contract with the Dodgers, filling a need in the Los Angeles outfield.

Ned Colletti, who became the Dodgers' general manager on Nov. 15, added another veteran free agent to the club after reaching agreements with shortstop Rafael Furcal, third baseman Bill Mueller and Nomar Garciaparra, who will play first base.

"I know they're looking to win, and that's what I'm all about," Lofton said. "At this point, I see that the Dodgers are making their move forward, putting guys on the field who have been there, done that, know how to win."

Colletti thinks the Dodgers have enhanced what he thought was a good group of players.

"We've added a ton of postseason experience," he said. "We'd like to improve a little more here and there, like to add a pitcher."

The 38-year-old Lofton hit .335 in 110 games for Philadelphia last year, the NL's highest average among players with 350 or more at-bats. He had a .392 on-base percentage and hit .330 with runners in scoring position.

"His skills are very similar to earlier in his career," Colletti said. "He knows how to play, how to win. His ability to get on base and score runs, combined with his speed and defense, are great additions to our club."

Lofton gets a $350,000 signing bonus, a $3.5 million salary and the chance to earn $150,000 in performance bonuses: $50,000 each for 350, 400 and 450 plate appearances. He thinks he knows how to play well despite being in his late 30s.

"I understand what I can and can't do and just go out and play the game my way," he said.

The Dodgers' center field spot opened last week when they traded Milton Bradley to Oakland.

Lofton has a .299 career batting average. He has 567 career steals, most of any current major leaguer. He led the AL in steals for five consecutive seasons, 1992-96, and was an All-Star from 1994-99.

He also is a four-time Gold Glove award winner. Primarily playing center field, Lofton has a .984 career fielding percentage.

Last year, he had seven outfield assists in 97 games, tied for third among major league center fielders.

During his 18 years in the majors, Lofton has played in the postseason nine different years, including appearances in the division series from 1995-99. Two of his teams have made it to the World Series, including San Francisco in 2002. Acquired by the Giants at the trading deadline that season, his game-winning single in Game 5 of the NLCS clinched the pennant for San Francisco.

"In 2002 when he came to the Giants, his impact on the club was immeasurable," said Colletti, assistant GM in San Francisco at the time. "Without Kenny Lofton, the Giants wouldn't have wound up in the postseason and the World Series."

Hints: "Cleveland", "Indians".

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