Matt

Lawton

Shane Spencer was given the start with the team facing a lefty. Lawton says he’s fine.

It makes sense. Lawton is owed $7.25 million in the final year of his deal, and Rhodes will make $7 million over the next two seasons. The deal would free up enough 2005 money for the Indians to keep Ronnie Belliard, and Casey Blake could move to left field to replace Lawton. Lawton would take over for Tike Redman in Pittsburgh and give the team a true leadoff hitter.

Shapiro may look to move Lawton before the start of the season, but it appears that Rhodes isn’t someone he’s interested in.

The Pirates must not have seen Lawton’s arm lately. If the Pirates enter next year with a lineup of Lawton, Jack Wilson, Jason Bay, Wilson, Ty Wigginton, Tike Redman, Jose Castillo and Lousy Catcher, they’ll be fortunate to lose just 89 games again. Adding a 1B/RF bat and making Redman a reserve should be a must.

“Matt Lawton is in the best shape I’ve ever seen him in,” said manager Eric Wedge. “Obviously, he had to devote a lot of time and effort to get himself into that kind of shape.” If Lawton turns in a strong spring, he’ll start over Coco Crisp and Ryan Ludwick in left field. He’d also likely be Cleveland’s leadoff hitter.

“It is a non-factor,” Wedge said. “We’ll have the best team out there we can have, and if he comes in and plays the way he can, he can help us, and he’ll be out there.” If Wedge sticks to his word and isn’t forced by management to play Lawton, then either Ryan Ludwick or Coco Crisp could win a starting job in the outfield. Travis Hafner is already penciled in as the primary DH, so Lawton won’t see much time there.

The plan could last the remainder of the season, which is bad news for Travis Hafner. Lawton is on a rehab assignment and could return this weekend or early next week. Hafner is slugging .528 since returning from the minors July 12, so he definitely deserves a continued look.

''He hasn’t taken any hitting yet,’' manager Eric Wedge said. ''We’re probably looking at the middle of August on a return date.’'

Lawton will then go on a rehab assignment, which manager Eric Wedge could last anywhere from two games to an unspecified number. Lawton should return sometime around mid-August.

Lawton is only available as a pinch-hitter this weekend. ''It doesn’t hurt, but every time I swing I feel discomfort,’' said Lawton. ''I’ll probably just shut it down altogether after Tuesday.’' With Lawton all but done, Travis Hafner and Ben Broussard will play regularly for the rest of the season.