Kenny Lofton was a free agent in the Spring when he signed with the White Sox. I think the Astros should have signed him and play him in Center, and move Berk to right Field. Kenny Lofton is pretty old, but he is still faster than fat Ward, Berkman and Hildago. Now look at him. He was traded to the Giants, and had a pretty good series, and including the game winning hit.
It's even easier to say it when you see the #'s he was putting up the first few months of the season. We might have been in the playoffs if we had Lofton playing instead of Ward.
Lofton had a good April (.343), July (.298) and September (.322). In June he hit a whopping .136 and in August a stellar .190. At the time Lofton was a free agent the Astros were counting on Ward and Hidalgo to play better than they did. When the White Sox started cleaning house, Lofton was not playing well enough to warrant trading for.
They traded Lofton for Eddie Taubensee and Willie Blair. At the time, they thought Hunter would be a similar player with more power.
Also, they were desperate for a catcher, and Taubensee was well thought of. Too bad his best years were in Cincinnatti.
