Mike Cameron

[RockTheIvy]

I would imagine that Cameron might be available. Say we get an impact bat for RF. Would you take Cameron in center until Pie is ready? He strikes out a lot, but will take some walks (.340 career OBP, Ruth compared to some Cubs hitters) and plays a fantastic CF. He had an .819 OPS last season playing in Shea, managing to hit 12 HRs in 308 ABs. I realize that improving our offense is priority to number 1, but given the CFs available, I think Cameron would be a good fit. Thoughts?

[daske17]

I'd say no for the moment. I would want to see how he's recovered from his face injury from last season to make sure he isn't gun shy about his defense in center.

[mg420]

he also hits righty. both cf & rf have got to be lefties (or switch hitters) imo with the righty dominated lineup of barrett, murton, lee, aram & hopefully cedeno.

[AAApittsburgh]

Yes.

 

I don't see us getting an elite hitting RF. We may get someone decent like Floyd (hope he stays healthy), so to make up for the production you also have to upgrade CF IMO. Cameron makes the most sense, because I don't think it would take very much to get him and he at least gives you average production from the position.

[CubfaninCA]

Not a bad option @ all. Highly unlikely the Cubs pick up a .900+ ops guy for rf. There's like 4 of them iirc. Am not sure what the Mets would want for him though.

[goonys evil twin]

Yes.

 

I don't see us getting an elite hitting RF. We may get someone decent like Floyd (hope he stays healthy), so to make up for the production you also have to upgrade CF IMO. Cameron makes the most sense, because I don't think it would take very much to get him and he at least gives you average production from the position.

 

I see the Mets making some moves with the OF, but I don't see them trading both Cameron and Floyd. If they do deal Beltran, there is no doubt they'll keep Cameron. They only have one really good hitter on the team, Wright. 1B, 2B, and SS are relatively weak hitting positions for them. RF and LF were pretty good for them last year, if they deal both Floyd and Cameron, they'll need to replace both and add offense to another position, like 1B.

[YearofDaCubs]

I don't see Cameron being much of an upgrade compared to Burnitz so I have to say NO.

[goonys evil twin]

I don't see Cameron being much of an upgrade compared to Burnitz so I have to say NO.

 

I'm assuming people are talking about Cameron as the CF. It wouldn't make sense to acquire him for RF (although he's a significantly better option than Burnitz).

[RynoRules]

Cameron: http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/camermi01.shtml

 

"Ugh".

 

Flolyd: http://www.baseball-reference.com/f/floydcl01.shtml

 

Far less "ugh", IMO.

[AAApittsburgh]

Cameron: http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/camermi01.shtml

 

"Ugh".

Ugh for a corner OF. For a CF, not really. I'd say he's about average.

[CuseCubFan69]

Once Sosa came off the books I always thought the Cubs would get an impact OF but looking at these choices really makes think the Cubs missed the boat somewhere. I hope Mr. Hendry can pull something out better than these choices.

[RynoRules]

Once Sosa came off the books I always thought the Cubs would get an impact OF but looking at these choices really makes think the Cubs missed the boat somewhere. I hope Mr. Hendry can pull something out better than these choices.

 

What he said.

 

Please, if no Giles, please bring us some Dunn or Ramirez, Mr. Hendry.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Cameron: http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/camermi01.shtml

 

"Ugh".

Ugh for a corner OF. For a CF, not really. I'd say he's about average.

 

Had Cameron played enough CF to qualify, his .819 OPS would have been 5th of 19 CFers. His career .782 OPS would've been one point away from Vernon Wells at 9th.

[rawaction]

Mike Cameron is due for a Jermaine Dye like breakout season. If he's healthy, I think he would be a great pickup. Again, I'd rather have him in CF and still get a strong RF'er.

[CubfaninCA]

Once Sosa came off the books I always thought the Cubs would get an impact OF but looking at these choices really makes think the Cubs missed the boat somewhere. I hope Mr. Hendry can pull something out better than these choices.

 

Well Manny should be available, but I doubt the Trib has the cajones to pursue him. Also, he may not even want to come to Chicago after the Sosa fiasco....

 

Altogether, there isn't a long list of great OF's. ONly 10 OF's had an ops over .900. People need to set the expectations bar a little lower.

[goonys evil twin]

Mike Cameron is due for a Jermaine Dye like breakout season. If he's healthy, I think he would be a great pickup. Again, I'd rather have him in CF and still get a strong RF'er.

 

Just curious, which Dye season was breakout? He was pretty much the same hitter in 2004 and 2005, with some more HR outside of Oakland. But neither year held up against his peak seasons. Cameron started 2005 hot (once he got off the DL again), but slowed considerably, although his overall numbers ended up a little better than average and right around his peak years.

 

What kind of year are you expecting from Cameron? At 33 next year I wouldn't expect him to have a career year. I'd think he's capable of repeating his career bests, if he can stay healthy. .260/.360/.470 is probably on the higher end of possibilities.

[rawaction]

Mike Cameron is due for a Jermaine Dye like breakout season. If he's healthy, I think he would be a great pickup. Again, I'd rather have him in CF and still get a strong RF'er.

 

Just curious, which Dye season was breakout? He was pretty much the same hitter in 2004 and 2005, with some more HR outside of Oakland. But neither year held up against his peak seasons. Cameron started 2005 hot (once he got off the DL again), but slowed considerably, although his overall numbers ended up a little better than average and right around his peak years.

 

What kind of year are you expecting from Cameron? At 33 next year I wouldn't expect him to have a career year. I'd think he's capable of repeating his career bests, if he can stay healthy. .260/.360/.470 is probably on the higher end of possibilities.

 

Yeah, I guess you're right. For some reason I thought his OBP was much higher this season than last. I think Cameron is capable of those numbers, yes.

[HoopsCubs]

I would imagine that Cameron might be available. Say we get an impact bat for RF. Would you take Cameron in center until Pie is ready? He strikes out a lot, but will take some walks (.340 career OBP, Ruth compared to some Cubs hitters) and plays a fantastic CF. He had an .819 OPS last season playing in Shea, managing to hit 12 HRs in 308 ABs. I realize that improving our offense is priority to number 1, but given the CFs available, I think Cameron would be a good fit. Thoughts?

 

Why don't we ask the Mets to give us Cameron ($6M), Floyd ($6.5M) and Glavine ($9.5M) in a pure salary dump move for some prospects? With the $22M they save here, and the $15M freed up with Piazza as free agent, the Mets can trade for Mannys' $20M and Delgado's $16M. We fill the needs for CF, RF and a >200IP/<4.00ERA SP. And, all 3 guys we get are free agents after 2006.

[AAApittsburgh]

I would imagine that Cameron might be available. Say we get an impact bat for RF. Would you take Cameron in center until Pie is ready? He strikes out a lot, but will take some walks (.340 career OBP, Ruth compared to some Cubs hitters) and plays a fantastic CF. He had an .819 OPS last season playing in Shea, managing to hit 12 HRs in 308 ABs. I realize that improving our offense is priority to number 1, but given the CFs available, I think Cameron would be a good fit. Thoughts?

 

Why don't we ask the Mets to give us Cameron ($6M), Floyd ($6.5M) and Glavine ($9.5M) in a pure salary dump move for some prospects? With the $22M they save here, and the $15M freed up with Piazza as free agent, the Mets can trade for Mannys' $20M and Delgado's $16M. We fill the needs for CF, RF and a >200IP/<4.00ERA SP. And, all 3 guys we get are free agents after 2006.

Genius. :D

[CubfaninCA]

I would imagine that Cameron might be available. Say we get an impact bat for RF. Would you take Cameron in center until Pie is ready? He strikes out a lot, but will take some walks (.340 career OBP, Ruth compared to some Cubs hitters) and plays a fantastic CF. He had an .819 OPS last season playing in Shea, managing to hit 12 HRs in 308 ABs. I realize that improving our offense is priority to number 1, but given the CFs available, I think Cameron would be a good fit. Thoughts?

 

Why don't we ask the Mets to give us Cameron ($6M), Floyd ($6.5M) and Glavine ($9.5M) in a pure salary dump move for some prospects? With the $22M they save here, and the $15M freed up with Piazza as free agent, the Mets can trade for Mannys' $20M and Delgado's $16M. We fill the needs for CF, RF and a >200IP/<4.00ERA SP. And, all 3 guys we get are free agents after 2006.

 

What does NY have left to deal for Manny though?

[Backtobanks]

I would imagine that Cameron might be available. Say we get an impact bat for RF. Would you take Cameron in center until Pie is ready? He strikes out a lot, but will take some walks (.340 career OBP, Ruth compared to some Cubs hitters) and plays a fantastic CF. He had an .819 OPS last season playing in Shea, managing to hit 12 HRs in 308 ABs. I realize that improving our offense is priority to number 1, but given the CFs available, I think Cameron would be a good fit. Thoughts?

 

Why don't we ask the Mets to give us Cameron ($6M), Floyd ($6.5M) and Glavine ($9.5M) in a pure salary dump move for some prospects? With the $22M they save here, and the $15M freed up with Piazza as free agent, the Mets can trade for Mannys' $20M and Delgado's $16M. We fill the needs for CF, RF and a >200IP/<4.00ERA SP. And, all 3 guys we get are free agents after 2006.

 

I like your idea. Dump Cameron and Glavine after the season and re-sign Floyd if he stays healthy and produces. With Cameron, Glavine, and Maddux gone after 2006, the Cubs should have enough money to go after other free agents.

[RynoRules]

I would imagine that Cameron might be available. Say we get an impact bat for RF. Would you take Cameron in center until Pie is ready? He strikes out a lot, but will take some walks (.340 career OBP, Ruth compared to some Cubs hitters) and plays a fantastic CF. He had an .819 OPS last season playing in Shea, managing to hit 12 HRs in 308 ABs. I realize that improving our offense is priority to number 1, but given the CFs available, I think Cameron would be a good fit. Thoughts?

 

Why don't we ask the Mets to give us Cameron ($6M), Floyd ($6.5M) and Glavine ($9.5M) in a pure salary dump move for some prospects? With the $22M they save here, and the $15M freed up with Piazza as free agent, the Mets can trade for Mannys' $20M and Delgado's $16M. We fill the needs for CF, RF and a >200IP/<4.00ERA SP. And, all 3 guys we get are free agents after 2006.

 

That's a good thought. Only trouble is that, unless CPatt were out of the picture, would it give Dusty an excuse to bench Murton?

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I would imagine that Cameron might be available. Say we get an impact bat for RF. Would you take Cameron in center until Pie is ready? He strikes out a lot, but will take some walks (.340 career OBP, Ruth compared to some Cubs hitters) and plays a fantastic CF. He had an .819 OPS last season playing in Shea, managing to hit 12 HRs in 308 ABs. I realize that improving our offense is priority to number 1, but given the CFs available, I think Cameron would be a good fit. Thoughts?

 

Why don't we ask the Mets to give us Cameron ($6M), Floyd ($6.5M) and Glavine ($9.5M) in a pure salary dump move for some prospects? With the $22M they save here, and the $15M freed up with Piazza as free agent, the Mets can trade for Mannys' $20M and Delgado's $16M. We fill the needs for CF, RF and a >200IP/<4.00ERA SP. And, all 3 guys we get are free agents after 2006.

 

That's a good thought. Only trouble is that, unless CPatt were out of the picture, would it give Dusty an excuse to bench Murton?

 

I feel very comfortable in saying that Corey Patterson will not/would not block Matt Murton in 2006. It is safe to say that Murton has passed Patterson on the prospect tree, and by a comfortable margin.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I would imagine that Cameron might be available. Say we get an impact bat for RF. Would you take Cameron in center until Pie is ready? He strikes out a lot, but will take some walks (.340 career OBP, Ruth compared to some Cubs hitters) and plays a fantastic CF. He had an .819 OPS last season playing in Shea, managing to hit 12 HRs in 308 ABs. I realize that improving our offense is priority to number 1, but given the CFs available, I think Cameron would be a good fit. Thoughts?

 

Why don't we ask the Mets to give us Cameron ($6M), Floyd ($6.5M) and Glavine ($9.5M) in a pure salary dump move for some prospects? With the $22M they save here, and the $15M freed up with Piazza as free agent, the Mets can trade for Mannys' $20M and Delgado's $16M. We fill the needs for CF, RF and a >200IP/<4.00ERA SP. And, all 3 guys we get are free agents after 2006.

 

If I'm taking on salary dumps, I'd like at least one of the guys to be moveable to another team in a later deal. No one would want Glavine at 9.5MM, just like no one wants Maddux at 9MM. We have one aging pitcher, we don't need a second in our rotation.

 

Let's just concentrate on Cameron, that is a viable option if Bradley, Lofton or Pierre doesn't work out. 6MM is high, but it IS for just one year. Shoot, didn't we pay Short Bus 7MM in 2005?

 

NY needs bullpen help, we'll send them Novoa and David Aardsma for Cameron, and take on all of Cameron's contract. Good deal for both teams.

[CubfaninCA]

Can't see NY dealing off Glavine and his 3.50 ERA.