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Report: Cameron trade seems unlikely

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While yesterday we recognized that the Yanks were still interested in Mike Cameron, today a trade with the Brewers seems less likely. Ken Davidoff and Kat O’Brien do not believe the Yanks will acquire the center fielder.

The Yankees have held talks with the Brewers about acquiring centerfielder Mike Cameron, but as the general managers’ meetings wrapped up Thursday in Dana Point, Calif., they were not optimistic about landing him…

Talks with the Brewers about Cameron began before this week’s meetings, although word leaked out only the past couple of days. Yankees centerfielder Melky Cabrera and righthanded pitcher Ian Kennedy have been discussed, although a source said the Yankees are not inclined to include Kennedy in such a trade.

I’m fairly amused that the Brewers are interested in Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy considering how many RAB commenters seem to believe that Melky and Kennedy can basically land us whatever we want. On the surface, I’m definitely not opposed to trading these two players and in tandem. However, I agree with the Yankees; I’m not inclined to include Kennedy in a deal for 36 year old with a career OBP of .340 due to make $10 million next year.

The Yanks don’t really need a center fielder next year. They’re happy to go into the season with some combination of Johnny Damon, Melky and Brett Gardner unless a good deal comes along. I’d rather see the Yanks use their resources — Kennedy, Melky, etc. — to acquire a first baseman of some pitching, and if that means missing out on Cameron, well, then I’m fine with it.

Yanks still interested in Cameron?

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This one’s coming a bit late, but that’s because we have so many other damn rumors to share. Plus, we like the idea of Nick Swisher much more. Anyway, Anthony DiComo, writing for MLB.com’s Hot Stove Blog, reports that the Yankees have contacted the Brewers regarding a trade for Mike Cameron which would center around Melky Cabrera. I’m not sure who else would be involved in the trade. Despite Cameron’s disproportional $10 million salary, I have a hard time believing Doug Melvin would trade him for Melky Cabrera straight up. While Cameron would be a short-term upgrade in center, it’s difficult to evaluate this proposal without knowing the other players involved.

Into the Mike Cameron fray

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As much as we don’t like to comment on rumors from The Post, in an earlier thread today, Steve noted a brief piece in Alexander Hamilton’s paper suggesting that the Yanks are interested in Mike Cameron. Since the Yanks are looking for a center fielder and Cameron could be a free agent this year, it’s worth it to spend a few minutes looking at Cameron.

First up is the issue of Cameron’s current contract. In 2008, the Brewers paid the outfielder $5 million. They hold a $10 million option or a $750,000 buyout. If the Brewers either need a center fielder or anticipate a high demand for Cameron, they could opt to pick up the buyout. However, $10 million for his level of production at his age seems a bit steep.

So going under the assumption that Mike Cameron will be a free agent, what would this option look like? Cameron will be 36 on Opening Day and has always been a good defender. For his career, he’s a .250 hitter with a 106 OPS+. He still has decent power — .477 slugging in park that slightly favors hitters — but he’s coming off successive seasons at around .240 with an OBP hovering around .330.

Clearly, in this regard, Cameron wouldn’t be much of a long-term solution in center. He’s too old; he’s not very good at hitting. But should the Yanks even consider him as a short-term solution?

Right now, the Yankees have a few center field options. They could keep Johnny Damon in center. That is, by far, their best offensive option but their worst defensive choice. They could go with some platoon of Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner. Odds are that one or both of them could get on base at a better clip than Cameron, but the power isn’t even close. They could look to trade for someone such as Matt Kemp or Nate McLouth, but neither of those would come cheap or with guarantees.

Cameron is definitely not Plan A for the Yankees. He probably isn’t even Plan B in center, but the Yanks are more concerned, rightly so, with CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira. Cameron would be acceptable as a one-year solution if the Yanks felt that Austin Jackson would be ready by 2010. But fans advocating for this solution should be aware that Cameron’s offense will not be the great. He’ll hit a bit for power, but he strikes out a lot and doesn’t get on base. It’s a lukewarm option at best.

RoboKen: Yanks in on the Cameron sweepstakes

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Mike Cameron is 35. He has a career offensive line of .251/.341/.445. He’s currently facing a 25-game suspension for a failed test due to a banned stimulant. And now Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Yankees may be interested in Cameron.

More from the tireless Rosenthal:

The Yankees are showing serious interest in Cameron, major-league sources say, figuring that they could trade center fielder Melky Cabrera even if they do not send him to the Twins for left-hander Johan Santana.

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is a supporter of Cameron’s; the two were teammates with the Mariners in 2000. Cameron also has recent experience playing in New York; he was with the Mets in ’04 and ’05…The Yankees likely would seek prospects for Cabrera, replace him with Cameron in center and keep Johnny Damon in left.

Rosenthal speculates that Damon would play center until Cameron’s suspension. He also feels that the Yanks would sign Cameron to a two-year deal while Austin Jackson matures.

So there’s a lot going on here. First, the Yankees clearly do not view Melky Cabrera as the long-term solution to centerfield. That mantle appears to be Austin Jackson’s. Meanwhile, the Yanks also seem willing to deal Cabrera if the right package comes along.

While we at RAB aren’t the biggest fans of Melky, this is one situation I can’t explain. Cameron at 35 is not an ideal center fielder, and his offensive production is decidedly mediocre and trending downward. Plus, at 35, he isn’t getting younger or better. If the Yanks were intent on trading Melky, they probably should have moved him after 2006 when his stock was higher. Unless he’s part of a package, Cabrera should stay in New York this year.

This is, of course, just a rumor from some “Major League sources,” and we’ll see how it develops. But I don’t like it right now.

Update 1:21 a.m.: After reading over the comments and thinking about this some more, I’m coming around on the idea of getting Cameron if the price is right. He is definitely a bigger offensive threat than Melky and would slot in quite well at the bottom of the Yankee lineup. Also, if the Yanks feel they can spin Melky off to the Pirates for Damaso Marte, I’d probably be down with that. Marte would give the Yankees a great lefty arm out of the pen. Whether the Pirates have any use for Melky, though, is another question all together.