NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees began reshaping their roster Friday, sending outfielder Kenny Lofton and more than $1.5 million to the Philadelphia Phillies for setup man Felix Rodriguez and also reacquiring Mike Stanton from the New York Mets.
Stunned by Boston in the AL Championship Series, the Yankees are expected to make bigger moves later in the offseason, with free-agent center fielder Carlos Beltran and Arizona ace Randy Johnson figuring to be their top targets.
"The winter is not complete yet," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.
The Yankees got Stanton and $975,000 from the Mets for Felix Heredia in a swap of left-handed relievers. Stanton waived his no-trade clause to rejoin his former team.
"Everybody wants to play for the Yankees," Rodriguez said.
Lofton, 37, will be going to his ninth major-league team. A six-time All-Star earlier in his career, he hit .275 with seven stolen bases in 83 games in his only season with New York.
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| Mike Stanton previously pitched for the Yankees from 1997 to 2002.(Getty Images) |
"Everybody in New York understood I wanted to play. I just wanted to have an opportunity to perform and be part of the team," he said. "I didn't feel as much a part of the team."
Phillies general manager Ed Wade envisioned Lofton starting ahead of Marlon Byrd and Jason Michaels.
"A player like Kenny is a big step forward for us," Wade said. "Going into spring training, we believe Kenny is our center fielder and will be a catalyst for this club."
The Yankees still have Bernie Williams to play center, though he could wind up as the designated hitter -- or even perhaps their first baseman -- if they are able to sign Beltran.
Rodriguez, 32, was 5-8 with one save in 76 games for San Francisco and Philadelphia last season. The Giants traded him to the Phillies for outfielder Ricky Ledee and a minor-league pitcher in late July.
