Matt Lawton's journey in Major League Baseball began when he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 13th round of the 1991 MLB Draft. A left-handed outfielder, Lawton made his MLB debut with the Twins on September 5, 1995. Over the next few years, he established himself as a reliable player, known for his solid batting and defensive skills.
During his tenure with the Twins, Lawton's performance steadily improved. By 1997, he had become a regular starter, showcasing his ability to hit for both average and power. In 1998, he hit .278 with 21 home runs and 77 RBIs, marking one of his best seasons with the team. Lawton's consistent play earned him a spot in the 2000 MLB All-Star Game, a testament to his growing reputation in the league.
In 2001, Lawton was traded to the New York Mets in a deal that sent Rick Reed to the Twins. His time with the Mets was brief, as he was traded again later that year to the Cleveland Indians. With the Indians, Lawton continued to be a productive player, hitting .277 with 15 home runs and 57 RBIs in 2002. His performance in Cleveland earned him another All-Star selection in 2004, further solidifying his status as a dependable outfielder.
Lawton's career saw him move to several teams in the following years. In 2004, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he played for part of the 2005 season before being traded to the Chicago Cubs. His stint with the Cubs was short-lived, as he was traded once more to the New York Yankees later that year. Despite the frequent team changes, Lawton maintained his reputation as a capable player, contributing both offensively and defensively.
In 2006, Lawton signed with the Seattle Mariners, but his time with the team was marred by a suspension for violating MLB's drug policy. This incident marked a downturn in his career, and he was released by the Mariners later that year. Lawton's professional baseball career effectively came to an end after this release.
Throughout his career, Matt Lawton played in over 1,300 games, amassing a .267 batting average, 138 home runs, and 631 RBIs.
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