December 14, 2009

Red Sox Close To Signing Mike Cameron

UPDATE: Done! 2/approx. 15.5.
Example
The Red Sox are making "significant progress" in signing outfielder Mike Cameron to a two-year deal.

One source says Cameron would be a full-time player in either left or center field, as opposed to being used in a platoon with Jeremy Hermida.

The Red Sox could play Cameron in left or use him in center, with Jacoby Ellsbury moving over to left. ... And the pieces are quickly falling into place. Theo passes on Bay and Holliday and gives the big bucks to Lackey, inks Cameron, and still has his eye on Beltre.

SoSHer Savin Hillbilly:
This is what I've been thinking would work. Call the default starting outfield Ellsbury-Cameron-Drew from left to right. That unit starts about 80 games. Against the toughest RHPs, make it Hermida-Ellsbury-Drew, about 40 games. Then Hermida will also get some starts spelling Drew (with Cameron moving to RF), maybe 25 games, and also spelling Ellsbury, 15 games.

This translates to starts as follows: Ellsbury 145 (80 LF, 65 CF), Drew 135 (all RF), Cameron 120 (95 CF, 25 RF), Hermida 80 (all LF). That could work. Cameron might not be thrilled with that little playing time, but given that he'll be 37, that much rest might help him finish strong (he's had pretty severe September fades the last couple of years).

16 comments:

allan said...

Cameron has murdered lefties over the last five seasons (OPS):

2009: .954
2008: .951
2007: .914
2006: .810
2005: .978

allan said...

Could LBJ be used as a chip for Gonzalez?

bdubsmitty said...

Could LBJ be used as a chip for Gonzalez?

I think so. I can imagine Theo proposing LBJ, Buchholz, Lars Anderson, and 1 or 2 other prospects for Gonzalez.

I would personally hate to see Ellsbury traded, but if it lands Gonzalez I think I could learn to live with it...

Amy said...

WHO? Who are these guys? Ah, never mind. I will look it up. Grumble, grumble.

9casey said...

bwsmith25 said...

I think so. I can imagine Theo proposing LBJ, Buchholz, Lars Anderson, and 1 or 2 other prospects for Gonzalez.





That seems like a lot... I think Buchholz and and 2 other prospects, maybe Lars and Westmoreland and or Riddick, get it done.
I believe the Padres major reason to get rid of him is because they can't pay him, Theo shouldn't overpay.....

Joe Gravellese said...

To me, that's two 'meh' moves today. Two overpaid decent players. Making a move to trade LBJ + prospects for Gonzalez would be FANTASTIC, but only if we get another bat in LF. Who else is out there aside from Holliday?

CEB II said...

I have been talked into the LF platoon. I believe that with Cameron/Hermida, we can make up for most of the offense of Bay plus have improved defense, which plagued us last year. Anyone actually think that an Adrian Gonzalez deal will be done before Apr. 4th? I personally hope so.

http://mochaman-cloud10.blogspot.com/2009/12/no-lack-of-fire-in-hot-stove.html

Patrick said...

Oooooooh man! Our outfield defense is going to be top notch!!!

If the Lowell deal goes through, and we get Beltre, our defense all around is going to be orgasmically good.

People have reason to whine about the lack of bats, but I see this team as a team I'm exited to watch.

SoSock said...

I'm taking the Lacky/Cameron move to mean we're not pursuing Holliday. So I really hope we can land Beltre. At least a little of the pop comes back with him

Zenslinger said...

Cameron a better player than Bay?

buffwarrior said...

Don't trade Ellsbury period. Cameron could learn to strike out less if he's not the go to stud on team. -not to base hits with cam and ells in outfield.. Ortiz better have a good spring otherwise trouble in power spots.

Philip said...

I'm still fundamentally opposed to the Lackey deal, but this deal makes a whole lot of sense. I like Cameron, and his defense alone makes him valuable, the power he'll bring in his transfer from a pitcher's park to Fenway notwithstanding.

buffwarrior said...

Cameron is a speedster on the base path.. so if he can learn to take a pitch and get on base. Oh, I just saw his stats.. he only snag 7 bases last year. Ok he was a speedster with the Mariners. I don't know why he can't find a home? (that's troubling) Sox love to try out new personnel, though don't they? I'm glad we got somebody for a Christmas present..this might be one we'll want to return. We'll see.

Here's what the percentages are when he comes to bat.

At Bats: 561 | Flyball: 44.6% | Groundball: 25.5% | Strikeout: 27.8% | GIDP: 2.1%

Let's hope those are flyballs to Left field and over the green monster..otherwise he's striking out every 3rd bat.

Philip said...

Buff--his value is in his glove, mostly.

9casey said...

I wonder what team we will pay to take Lackey in the 5th year of that contract?

I hope I am wrong..

Zenslinger said...

Cameron hit charts 2007-9