Lawton, Matt

Cleveland Indians 2002-

New York Mets 2001

Minnesota Twins 1995-2001

Outfielder (L/R) Height: 5’9” Weight: 180 lbs.

Born: 11-3-71, Gulfport, Mississippi

Age at MLB Debut: 23

 

Quick Stats

2000 Age 28 AL 561 AB, .305/.408/.460, 44 2B, 13 HR

2001 Age 29 AL 376 AB, .298/.398/.439, 25 2B, 10 HR

2001 Age 29 NL 183 AB, .246/.352/.366, 11 2B,  3 HR

2002 Age 30 AL 416 AB, .236/.342/.399, 19 2B, 15 HR

2003 Age 31 AL 374 AB, .249/.343/.420, 19 2B, 15 HR

 

2004 Stats

Previous Years

Almanac Entry

Minor League Stats

 

How Acquired:

Traded to Indians, 12-11-01 (see below)

 

Comments

4-1-03

Matt is coming off of a shoulder injury that bothered him all season. He may or may not be ready by the beginning of the season, but he shouldn’t miss many games regardless. He doesn’t really fit into the Indians’ future plans, but until he plays well enough for another team to be willing to take his lengthy contract, he isn’t going anywhere.

 

7-15-03

CLE 311 AB, .248/.342/.434, 16 2B, 14 HR

Matt was on his way to having a career year, and thoughts began flying around that Shapiro could trade him if he ate his Wheaties. But, alas; Lawton dislocated a finger while swinging a bat, and is out until the middle to end of August. So it looks like the long-awaited trade may have to wait until 2004. While Lawton is a nice bat to have in the lineup, his being here really doesn't mesh with what the Indians are doing.

 

Contract: 4 Years (2002-2005), $27M (signed 12-01)

2004 Contract: $6,750,000

Arbitration: Yes

Free Agency: Yes

Transactions History:

6-3-01: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins (12th Round)

Started 1992 with GCL Twins

Started 1993 in Ft. Myers (A)

Started 1995 in New Britain (AA)

9-5-95: Recalled by Minnesota (MLB Debut)

Played in AFL after the 1995 season

4-30-96: Optioned to Salt Lake City (AAA)

6-21-96: Recalled by Minnesota

7-11-96: Optioned to Salt Lake City (AAA)

8-1-96: Recalled by Minnesota

1999: Made Rehab Stints in Fort Myers (A) and with GCL Twins (R)

7-30-01: Traded to the New York Mets for Rick Reed

12-11-01: Traded along with Billy Traber, Alex Escobar, Earl Snyder, and Jerrod Riggan to the Cleveland Indians for Roberto Alomar, Mike Bacsik, and Danny Peoples

2002: Made Rehab Stint in Akron (AA)

7-12-03: Placed on 15-day Disabled List (finger)

 

Season League Leader:

1997: 9th HBP (10)

1998: 10th OBP (.387)

          10th Triples (6)

          9th BB (86)

          4th HBP (15)

2000: 5th Doubles (44)

 

Active Leader:

25th HBP (71)

 

Career Awards and Milestones:

2000 All-Star

 

Back to Home Page