Yardbarker: Mike Cameron

Latest installment of How Does X Grab You

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:21:30 -0500

Today's subject: Mike Cameron Based on something Sweet Lou said at RedsFest last night (and RedsFest? Wow, that HAD to be exciting) the Sun-Times is reporting the Cubs' interest in recent Brewer center-fielder Mike Cameron. The first responsible thing I did was then go to the Trib to check with Goatfriend Paul Sullivan, but all he reports is the Cubs are building a temporary ice rink where the Triangle Building is going to go. No word on Cameron. So, OK, Gordo'...

Mike Cameron Again On Cubs' Radar

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:21:43 -0500

More photos » by Morry Gash - AP Browse more photos » So says Gordon Wittenmyer in today's Sun-Times: Center fielder Mike Cameron could take center stage for the Cubs by the time the winter meetings begin Monday in Indianapolis, depending on how quickly they can slam the door on Milton Bradley's tail and how much room is left in the payroll. What's clear is the Cubs' interest and the strength of ma...

Cameron a fit, but there are others

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:30:03 -0500

From Joel Sherman (NY Post): Without Damon or a big free-agent purchase, the Yanks will have to go less-heralded and less-offensive minded in left. Mike Cameron fits the bill, does he not? Similar free agent options include: Randy Winn, Rick Ankiel and Chone Figgins. Similar trade options could include: David DeJesus (a poor man’s Damon) and Juan Rivera. Of the [...]

MLB Trade Rumors: Atlanta Hot After Mike Cameron or Marlon Byrd??

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:00:17 -0500

by Luis Alvarez - AP 3 months ago: Milwaukee Brewers' Mike Cameron hits a two-run home run against the Washington Nationals during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, in Washington. The Brewers won 11-9. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez) View full size photo » I was flipping back and forth between the XM Radio Grateful Dead station and XM 175 tonight on my drive home and caught some of t...

Sherman on Damon and Other Options

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:59:00 -0500

Joel Sherman had an article in today's NY Post about Johnny Damon. He believes "the best 2010 Yankees team has Johnny Damon. No question." But if the Yankees don't sign Damon Sherman has a list of other options. Those names include free agents Mike Cameron, Rick Ankiel, Mark DeRosa, Randy Winn and Xavier Nady, and potential trade targets Juan Rivera and David Dejesus. Here's what he had to say:Cameron is not as great defensively as in his prime, but still is very good. H...

Not to (Type) B

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:28:50 -0500

Yesterday began with a call from the Milwaukee Brewers. “Hello, Tyler. As a ticket holder in previous seasons, we thought you may be interested in a holiday 4-pack,” the woman said. Shaken from sleep, I struggled to answer, “Maybe… maybe later,” I managed. “Maybe later.” And judging by how Milwaukee handled Tuesday’s deadline to offer arbitration to the team’s five Type B free agents, I’m sure many fans share my groggy sentiment. As the Dec. 1 deadline came and went, Mike Cameron, Jason Kendall, Dave Weathers, Braden Looper and Felipe Lopez were not offered arbitration. Now, most of these declined arbitration cases aren’t exactly surprising, AND just because these players weren’t offered arbi doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t be back. But it probably does. But where...

Mike Cameron wants to play for a contender

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:00:06 -0500

While Scott Boras continues to belabor the greatness of his client Johnny Damon in an attempt to obtain a 3-4 year deal for the 36-year old left fielder, it’s clear that the Yankees have other external options for their outfield if Damon’s demands are too exorbitant to be met by Brian Cashman. Matt Holliday, considered [...]

Cammy will move for a contender...

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:00:00 -0500

On Oct. 21st Marty Noble reported that the Mets were interested in Mike Cameron to return as the left fielder. That was quickly dismissed because it was believed that Cammy would only accept offers to play center field.The 36 y/o right hander is a three time gold glove and one time all-star who still has the speed and range to play center field. His average is only around .250 but he's good for 20 homeruns and 25 doubles. I think Cammy would be an excellent option at left field, he provid...

Another Thing I'm Thankful For: Baseball Reference

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:00:19 -0500

by Bob Levey - AP Bringing Mike Cameron back for next season might be too expensive for the Brewers, but you can purchase his Baseball Reference page for $30. View full size photo » Even before I started writing about the Brewers, I used Baseball Reference a fair amount. Now, though, I use it every day. During the season, I probably use it five or more times each day. If you've ever looked up a stat or ...

Discussion: Marlon Byrd vs. Mike Cameron

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:49:09 -0500

More photos » by Luis Alvarez - AP Browse more photos » Yesterday, I posted an idea regarding a potential free agent signing for a Cubs bench position in 2010. Admittedly, this wasn't the most important possible addition to the roster for next year -- however, the Cubs had a very poor bench in 2009 and I still think Chad Tracy (at the right price) would be a good addition. Today, I'm going to analyze two play...

Let's Sign Mike Cameron Anyway

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:14:33 -0500

More photos » by Tony Dejak - AP This is what I'm talking about, baby. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) Browse more photos » We've got Carlos Gomez now. I haven't looked really closely at his numbers, but my first take is that it's a fair deal. The Twins get a somewhat better player for 2010 in J.J. Hardy, but we get someone who is cheaper, fills a hole, and might improve while still under...

Cubs Potential Offseason Targets: Mike Cameron

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:57:42 -0500

I'll go through a few more lower level free agents this week and pick it up to some possible bigger names next week. As we know, there's talk that if the Cubs can move Milton Bradley, they'd put Kosuke Fukudome back to right field and try and improve the outfield defense with a more true center fielder. And that's where Mike Cameron comes in...

Year Age Tm G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS OPS+ 1995 22 CHW 28 44 38 4 7 2 0 1 2 0 0 3 15 .184 .244 .316 .560 47 1996 23 CHW 11 12 11 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 .091 .167 .091 .258 -31 1997 24 CHW 116 446 379 63 98 18 3 14 55 23 2 55 105 .259 .356 .433 .789 109 1998 25 CHW 141 443 396 53 83 16 5 8 43 27 11 37 101 .210 .285 .336 .621 63 1999 26 CIN 146 636 542 93 139 34 9 21 66 38 12 80 145 .256 .357 .469 .825 105 2000 27 SEA 155 643 543 96 145 28 4 19 78 24 7 78 133 .267 .365 .438 .803 107 2001 28 SEA 150 633 540 99 144 30 5 25 110 34 5 69 155 .267 .353 .480 .832 123 2002 29 SEA 158 640 545 84 130 26 5 25 80 31 8 79 176 .239 .340 .442 .782 109 2003 30 SEA 147 612 534 74 135 31 5 18 76 17 7 70 137 .253 .344 .431 .774 108 2004 31 NYM 140 562 493 76 114 30 1 30 76 22 6 57 143 .231 .319 .479 .798 104 2005 32 NYM 76 343 308 47 84 23 2 12 39 13 1 29 85 .273 .342 .477 .819 114 2006 33 SDP 141 634 552 88 148 34 9 22 83 25 9 71 142 .268 .355 .482 .837 121 2007 34 SDP 151 651 571 88 138 33 6 21 78 18 5 67 160 .242 .328 .431 .759 103 2008 35 MIL 120 508 444 69 108 25 2 25 70 17 5 54 142 .243 .331 .477 .809 110 2009 36 MIL 149 628 544 78 136 32 3 24 70 7 3 75 156 .250 .342 .452 .795 108 15 Seasons 1829 7435 6440 1013 1610 362 59 265 926 296 82 825 1798 .250 .340 .448 .788 106 SEA (4 yrs) 610 2528 2162 353 554 115 19 87 344 106 27 296 601 .256 .350 .448 .798 112 CHW (4 yrs) 296 945 824 121 189 36 8 23 100 50 14 96 224 .229 .315 .376 .691 82 NYM (2 yrs) 216 905 801 123 198 53 3 42 115 35 7 86 228 .247 .328 .478 .806 108 SDP (2 yrs) 292 1285 1123 176 286 67 15 43 161 43 14 138 302 .255 .341 .456 .797 112 MIL (2 yrs) 269 1136 988 147 244 57 5 49 140 24 8 129 298 .247 .337 .464 .801 109 CIN (1 yr) 146 636 542 93 139 34 9 21 66 38 12 80 145 .256 .357 .469 .825 105 AL (8 yrs) 906 3473 2986 474 743 151 27 110 444 156 41 392 825 .249 .341 .428 .769 104 NL (7 yrs) 923 3962 3454 539 867 211 32 155 482 140 41 433 973 .251 .340 .465 .805 109 Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 10/31/2009.

The offensive numbers are pretty generic, but combined with his defense, he's definitely a plus for any team (anywhere from 2 to 4 Wins Above Replacement according to Fangraphs). UZR has him well above replacement level defensively the last couple of years and for his career and BP agrees with a career 106 Rate2 number. The Fan's Scouting Report makes it the triple crown of defensive road marks along with 3 career Gold Gloves to make me feel confident that he still can patrol center field with the best of them.

Now you know with Cameron's ability to hit 20 HR's or more, Lou is gonna want to use him in the middle of the order to drive in runs, so let's see how he does in that area. I like to look deeper than just the standard RBI counting stat and see what kind of opportunties Cameron has had and thankfully BP neatly keeps track of this. Cameron's OBI% (Other Batters Driven In) since 2006:

10.7% - 2009, 16.5% in 2008, 14.7% in 2007, 15.8% in 2006

Well 2009 was pretty ugly there for Cameron - Milton Bradley ugly - but he seems to be around the league average(which is about 15%) or better for the most part which I honestly expected to be a little worse with all his K's. It's not something you can put a guarantee on, but let's say he shows a tendency to get the job done.

Still at age 37, I don't think the Cubs should really enterain much more than a 1-yr offer here and hope you get a Bobby Abreu-special that falls in your lap in March for $5-$7M. Considering Cameron's sensitive (as he should be) to some of the bleacher taunting, I don't see this being a match for the Cubs or Cameron.