The Case Against Mike Cameron
By Mike Silva ~ October 23rd, 2009. Filed under: Offseason Speculation.
The other day Marty Noble talked about some “buzz” regarding the Mets interest in Mike Cameron. To my surprise there was little reaction from fan base (perhaps they are hiding with Yanks/Phillies on the horizon), or they genuinely like Cameron. Personally I just don’t see how this makes the Mets any better.
The Mets need an impact hitter at either first base or the outfield. Without one it will be hard-pressed to see them compete in 2010. Our rumor mill indicates that Matt Holliday is the primary target for Omar Minaya and company, but if that fails, Mike Cameron is not an acceptable replacement. I will even go as far to say that he is a downgrade from Jeff Francoeur in right field even if Holliday is in the fold in left.
Cameron might have the range for Citi Field, but he never seemed to enjoy playing the corner his first stint here. Personally I found his defense disappointing during his two year stint. Offensively you are adding a player that strikes out a ton, pops the occasional homer, and hits for a low average. Although he had a higher OBP than Francoeur he was 8% above league average according to OPS+. Francoeur was 18% in comparison. His production in the clutch doesn’t excite me either. As for an acceptable downgrade from Holliday, you can probably get better quality production bringing back Gary Sheffield to play left with a young caddy in the event he gets hurt.
Hopefully this, just like the Johnny Damon/Hideki Matsui rumblings, is offseason newspaper musing versus leaks from the minds of the Mets front office. Mike Cameron might have a nice smile and some cool throwback jerseys, but nowhere near the answer to the impact bat the team needs.
October 23rd, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Right now Cameron is probably a better center fielder than Beltran, whose bat is still good enough for a corner spot. That IS a significant upgrade to Francoeur and maybe a better option, when cost is considered, over Holliday.
October 24th, 2009 at 8:49 am
I guess if you are talking post-knee injury Beltran – maybe, but I didn’t detect much of a missed step from Beltran this year, even when he got his cortisone shot in LA.
No one better at going back on a ball than Beltran IMO
October 25th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
LOL so when are you actually going to make a case against Cameron?
“I will even go as far to say that he is a downgrade from Jeff Francoeur in right field”
LOL Part Deux
October 25th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Cameron didn’t like playing the corners here the first time. He strikes out way too much.
It appears the Mets have a clear path to Holliday. Heyman confirmed Demayo’s sources info regarding the Mets having no interest in John Lackey. If the Yanks step away from the Holliday process it will make any talk about Cameron moot.
I don’t know why you guys at AA like Cameron. No one cried about him leaving the first time.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
It has nothing to do with me or “AA” or whatnot – it has to do with the fact that you made no intelligent points against Cameron in your post. Just standard uninformed talk radio drivel. Clutch hitting is not a skill. His defense is excellent, despite what your eyes might say. He’s head and shoulders above Francoeur.
LOL Part 3 – Demayo’s “sources”.
October 26th, 2009 at 6:18 am
You could laugh at Demayo’ sources, but again we have reported exactly what you are hearing on mainstream regarding Lackey, Holliday, etc.
As for Cameron’s defense, his UZR was the lowest of his career in 2005 playing the corner. He was by no means a bad defensive RF, but I don’t think that overcomes the type of high strikeout, low average hitter that he is. He is nowhere near acceptable in lieu of Holliday.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
“As for Cameron’s defense, his UZR was the lowest of his career in 05 playing the corner”
HE ONLY PLAYED 10 GAMES IN 2005!!!!!!!!!!
October 26th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Jason
He played the entire season in RF in 2005. Not CF because Beltran was here.