Mike Cameron-to-Yankees Dead?

God if this trade goes through I hope Igawa is still part of it in the end

this is dumb.... the yankees are already winning this trade.. the brewers should back out now.

I agree with TripleHHH, make the deal or don't. I say give Melky another shot. He is a good defender with a good arm. As for Igawa trade him back to Japan.

"this is dumb.... the yankees are already winning this trade.. the brewers should back out now."

Totally agree.

The Brewers clearly thought retaining Cameron would help them land CC, because they really don't seem to be keen on keeping him now.

They're going to deal one year of a good CF on a reasonable contract for mediocre Melky Cabrera and Kei Igawa while not even saving all of Cam's money.

This is after Kevin freaking Gregg landed the Marlins Jose Ceda, regarded as a very good pitching prospect.

I realize that not many teams have holes in center (Yankees, White Sox, Reds maybe the Rockies and Braves), but the market is basically bare in terms of legitimate CF options, with the big names being guys like Edmonds, Kotsay, Payton, Patterson and Taveras.

Cameron is far better than any of those options, is fairly priced, and would only cost as much as Melky Cabrera costs.

I don't see why a team like the Braves or Reds isn't willing to throw a prospect to Milwaukee for one year of him.

The Reds could add Cameron to play center and put Dickerson in left, as a possible alternative. Then the lineup would be based around Cam, Bruce, Votto, EE, etc.

I agree

Cameron is a lot better than all of the Free agent CF. The Brewers and Melvin are dumb to take Melky and Igawa and still have to pay some $$. This is insane!

I am curious is to how much they are going to pay. If it is $3M, why not just keep Cameron for the $10M and trade him next season when the options are better? Getting Melky and Igawa is a rip off.

Other teams are probably interested some in a CF. I hate the f.ing Yankees and Cashman. All the money in the world and can't pay to get Cameron. Cameron is a lot better than Melky and Igawa will be in AAA.

I am furious with the Brewers right now and not doing anything to improve the team. What have we done so far?

RE-Sign Todd Coffey
Sign Joge Julio

Lose out on CC
Lose out on Sheets
Lose out on Cameron

Are major signing right now is Julio? All these other teams are improving and we are declining big time. By the time Melvin gets his head out of his ***, all the players will be gone. Good job Melvin, you SOB!

For now ... but what if the rules changed? Then how dumb would Melvin look???

I think the Yanks have agreed to pay all of Cameron's salary. It's how much of Igawa's contract that was the issue. The Yanks want to pay some of it but not all three remaining years, thus giving them Igawa for free whicm doesn't make sense to me. It's not like they are doing the Yanks a favor by taking Igawa and NOT paying any of his salary.

Why would the Brewers want Igawa and that contract? Make a move Melvin!! Get some talent!

Brewers fans need to realize that the team is not going to compete in 2009.

Kei Igawa is exactly who the Brewers need to neutralize that Cubs lineup of Lee, Soriano, Soto, Ramirez, Derosa, Theriot. Igawa is a right handed hitters dream pitcher.

hey how about throwing in Hall and asking for Kennedy to be added to pkg. and take on some of Igawa salary, then C.C can have all his buddies around him.

wow its funny listening to all the Yankee haters. So let me get this straight the Yankees are ruining the game of baseball by spending money on CC and Burnett but also ruining the game of baseball by trying to save money on Cameron....do you people really ever listen to what comes out of your mouths?

The Brewers are kicking themselves right now because they needed to free up the money Cameron makes to sign some free agents. Now the Yankees are in the drivers seat and have the entire offseason to make the move for Cam while the Brewers will watch every good free agent they were targeting go to another team over the next month.

Melky may never be a superstar but can be a very serviceable MLB player. Everyone forgets he hit .280 in 2007 with a .360 OBP while playing stellar defense and is still only 24!!! If the Brewers made the trade and Melky was their starting center fielder their problem would not be on the offensive side of the game. They lack pitching which is why they need money to go after it....either that or they have to trade Prince coming off a not so great season for a starter and then they would have a huge hole to fill in for the middle of their lineup.

The problems with these mid to low market teams is they think they can hold the Yankees ransom for their overpaid veterans. They think this because of the stupid trades and signings the Yankees made after the dynasty to try and get another WS. The Yankees learned from their mistakes and will not start trading away the farm for anyone anymore. The Brewers overplayed their hand this year much like the Twins did last year with Johan. Note to all GM's....these are not the same free spending/trading Yankees of old!!!!!!!

"Cameron is far better than any of those options, is fairly priced, and would only cost as much as Melky Cabrera costs."

Huh? Melky Cabrera is going to cost maybe $1M in arbitration. Probably less, coming off the year he had. How is that the same as Cameron?
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"how about throwing in Hall and asking for Kennedy to be added to pkg. and take on some of Igawa salary"

Hall has just about as much negative value as Igawa. If the Yankees took all of Hall's contract and the Brewers took all of Igawa's, then Milwaukee would save $3.5M, plus spread out their now smaller sunk cost over three years instead of two. I'm not sure I could argue that Hall for Igawa straight up would be unfair to either side, so I don't see how Hall for Igawa + cash would make the Yankees want to throw in Kennedy.

"And the yanks are doing them a favor by assuming his entire contract. all 10 mil regardless of whether you think thats fair market value."

How is getting a guy for market value for one year doing Milwaukee any favors? Any team that has a hole in CF would gladly take Cameron at 1/10. It makes me really annoyed (and somewhat amused) that so many of these Yankee fans are so vehemently against a gigantic upgrade in CF, on a short commitment, at market value, when they need a stopgap CF for AJax, when all they need to trade is the worthless Melky Cabrera. It is truly mind boggling, it really is.

"wow its funny listening to all the Yankee haters. So let me get this straight the Yankees are ruining the game of baseball by spending money on CC and Burnett but also ruining the game of baseball by trying to save money on Cameron....do you people really ever listen to what comes out of your mouths?"

I love a guy that starts his post off with the above comments, then goes on to say Melky is a serviceable player, Cameron is an overpaid veteran, Santana is an overpaid veteran, and these are not the same free spending Yankees of old. People need to realize Cameron's salaray doesn't need to come off the books now because the Crew is not going to compete in 09, but they will in 2010, and Cam's money will be off the books by then anyway, where they can get some draft pick compensation out of this, which is much better then Melky Cabrera. The idea that Cameron must be moved so free agents can be brought in is laughable. I feel really bad for you. Although, thinking about it, I really don't. Ignorance really is bliss. It must be nice living in a little fantasy world.

craig....actually if you look at it and clear your yankee hating mind you will see this is not the Yankees of old.

The Yankees would have panicked in 2007 and traded the farm for Johan. They wouldn't have waited a year when they desperately needed an ace to wait for the best pitcher in baseball who is only 28 to become a free agent and go after him.

Although I do no agree with the Burnett signing because of injury risk they had to do it. If he is healthy he dominates the AL east and it is going to be a dog fight for that division.

And although I don't like Manny (and still dont think he is coming to NY)....the Yankees of old would have passed on him and signed/traded for an aging outfielder who is already showing signs of decline. After what Manny did last year nobody can say he is showing any signs of slowing down. He also has 2 world series rings (at the yankees expense) to prove what he can do for a team.

Let me ask you something craig....and I want you to answer honestly....if Josh Beckett were a free agent this offseason and the Yankees signed him to the same deal that they got Burnett to accept....would you consider that a bad move?

How are the yankees not ruining the game???? they just rolled out 240 million for two players!!!! teams are spending way too much, and soon, mid market teams wont even be able to compete for free agents. They yankees are a disgrace, because they have a lot of arrogant fans (not saying all), and they have by far the highest payroll in the league, and they still cant win.

nrmax:

Why would you say it makes sense for the Brews to compete in 2010 and not 09?

And if you seriously think that the Brewers are NOT going to compete in 09 then why would they want to keep Cameron and pay him 10 mil as their 2nd highest player? This is the team that sheds payroll when their not competing. And in case you haven't noticed this year several major players have gone w/o being offered arbitration.

Garrett Anderson
Pat Burrel
Adam Dunn

Why would the Brewers be so stupid to offer Cameron arbitration in winter 09 (the only way they would get the draft pics you alluded to)when the possibility exists that he might accept and get a pay increase for 2010?

Seriously, I usually don't agree w/ you but usually respect your opinion. Are you so jaded that you don't see the flaws in your thinking? I mean are you Cameron's agent or something? Is he a relative?

And why is the other posters statement that they need to use Cam's money inorder to afford a FA pitcher so absurd? Melvin alreadys aid the owner will not let him use CC's money for another FA and they do need to replace both CC and Sheets and need a closer. They have 10 mil coming off for Gagne's contract and I'm sure if they could use Cam's 10 towards getting a pitcher like Randy Johnson or Brian Fuentes would make much more sense.

The Brewers are absolutely desperate to get rid of Cameron and so far the Yanks are the only ones willing and capable of eating his entire 10 mil owed. If they want Igawa included in the deal then they can pay some of his salary.

i sort of did, but you get my point. they yankees raise the standard for every free agent out there, and then smaller market teams cant compete. thats what i mean

glover28 you are just hating on the Yankees. Yes they shelled out money for the best pitcher in the game (only 28 and can opt out in 3 years) and a very good big game pitcher in Burnett....so what. Want your mind blown??? If the Yanks steer clear of Manny and the Sox sign Tex who will have the highest payroll in baseball???? Yeah it won't be the Yankees anymore. Who will you complain about then??

Also it is not the Yankees fault MLB decided to put teams in Colorado, Tampa, Miami and Arizona. Its not the Yankees fault that these other teams (Pitssburgh, Toronto, Seattle, Kansas City) also cannot draw the people in their surrounding area to the ballparks. The MLB wants these teams so their is more revenue....its all about the money. Get rid of these teams and there would be such an overload of talent payroll wouldn't mean jack.

Nobody wants baseball in these areas and you can tell that by the attendance. It is not the Yankees fault nobody goes to the games (parks sell out everywhere when they play the Yankees). The problem is MLB puts/keeps teams in these areas to increase overall revenue. MLB is about money not fairness of the game, the Yankees have the most at this point in time and are willing to spend so yes they win. Save your water works for an argument you can actually back up.

Trade Hart, Villanueva, and Cameron

EWS1532 I am not saying they cannot compete I am saying the people of the surrounding area do not care if do or do not (except Cleveland). I was skeptical of the Burnett signing at first but I love it now. He is a big game pitcher and I am finally realizing that the Yankees signed him to be a hitman in the playoffs. Look Josh Becketts career numbers compared to Burnetts. They are eerily similar...basically the only difference between these pitchers is that Beckett has had the fortune of being able to pitch in the playoffs.

"I do not understand any of the hype over this transaction. We don't need a guy with speed and defensive skills. We have Brett Gardner."

But Brett Gardner can't hit. Speed isn't helpful if you can't hit, and a contender can't afford to have a black hole in the lineup everyday.

I agree that the Yankees need to add someone to the middle of their batting order, but that shouldn't affect their pursuit of Mike Cameron.

"I meant that in a trade the team acquiring Cameron would only have to eat his contract and give up value similar to Melky Cabrera."

OK, thanks for clearing that up.
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"We don't need a guy with speed and defensive skills. We have Brett Gardner."

How about a guy with speed and defensive skills who doesn't hit like a pitcher? OK, that's a bit harsh. But do you want to have a competitive team in 2009, or do you want to act like you're rebuilding? Because giving a guy like Gardner 400+ ABs is something that rebuilding teams do. It's not something that teams trying to win do.

I agree that Cameron won't affect us from getting Man-NY at all.

I laugh, however, that a player like Gardner will keep us from being competitive in 09.

I also take issue with how you people evaluate a players potential based on 127 at bats. Other than bringing up how poor he hit in 127 sporadic at bats I still have yet to here an intelligent offering as to why he wouldn't be able to hit .280/.350 and provide 40+ stolen bases next year. Maybe you guys have a crystal ball or something.

But Brett Gardner can't hit. Speed isn't helpful if you can't hit, and a contender can't afford to have a black hole in the lineup everyday.
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08 Phillies: Ruiz .219/.302
07 Boston: Lugo .237/.294
06 Cardinals: Molina .216/.274 and Miles .263/.324
05 Whitesox: Posednik .290/.351 (similar player to Gardner)
04 Boston: Mienkewitz .238/.326

Not to say we should willingly put a light stick out there but I don't think his POSSIBLE ofesive struggles would cripple the lineup in any shape or form.

The Brewers should trade Cameron for anyone willing to take on that contract, then re-sign Sheets and maybe pick up a closer. They'd still compete with their offense and a rotation of Sheets, Gallardo, Bush, Parra, Suppan isn't that bad.

But the Yankees can't afford to waste 400+ at bats on a player who doesn't have any ML future when the team didn't make the playoffs the year before. Plain and simple.

Gardner won't have the hit tools to ever be more than a .280/.340/.380 type of hitter with a bunch of steals and good defense. That's fine, but he's the type of player that the Yankees don't hold onto once they begin to get costly.

It's true, that giving Gardner some at bats isn't going to sabotage New York. But it will definitely hurt there chances.

If Gardner had the potential to be an above average regular, then I would be fine giving him some at bats in 2009. But you're giving him those at bats in the hope that he develops into a league average player. That's just not something that the New York Yankees need to be doing, not with their expectations and their payroll. Not when their ballpark costed over $1B, costed the taxpayers millions, and their seats still cost a forture

Let Gardner go.

Aren't the prices supposed to go up a lot going into the new Yankee Stadium though..?

Putting Brett Gardner in center just isn't a logical baseball idea for that organization. You guys seem to think he has the upside of Ellsbury. This isn't a guy who will ever be able to bat .325 or even hit 10 home runs in the majors. He can take a walk or two, but basically you're talking about best case scenario, Juan Pierre with better plate discipline and a better arm, but less contact. Are you willing to spend 400+ at bats during a huge 2009 season developing that player? Even when you have a different young player in AA who projects to be far more than that, and should be ready by 2009?

What are the odds of any of these Yankee-haters realizing that even with the signings of Sabathia, Burnett and Marte, as well as the acquisition of Swisher, the Yankees payroll is considerably LOWER right now than it was in 2008?

In case you forgot, Giambi, Pavano, Mussina, Farnsworth/Pudge, Pettitte, Abreu, Betemit all came off the books.

"I can't believe the Yankees think that Cameron is over valued at $10M."

I can't believe it either. Then again, I don't believe it. I think they're just mulling things over. It's not like he's the only way they can improve their team.

"If the lineup 1-8 can't carry a guy like Gardner at #9 and if the rotation of 1-4 cant carry a #5 such as Hughes, we might as well not even have a minor league system. This is the best scenario in which to give those guys a shot."

Yankeegirl: you are right ideally the Yankees should be able to carry a weak bat in CF and in the 5th spot in the rotation. But wasn't this their philosphy last year? Wasn't the idea that Wang, Pettite, Mussina would hold down the top spots and between Hughes Kennedy and Joba they could manage the last two. Also last year i dont think anyone thought Melky was going to be Bernie Williams at the plate but their high powered offense could sustain one weak bat. Well as you saw last year injuries and ineffectiveness can ruin the best laid plans.

Now I do believe that for the most part their rotation is better, if Hughes struggled or an injury to Burnett or Joba occured they have a pitcher or two who could step in for a while. Also I believe CC's ablity to eat innings will help this team in a big way.

As for their lineup I think the Yankees aren't in as good of a position as most people think. I think losing Giambi and Abreu are bigger losses than most people realize. Were they overpaid, absolutly; were they bad defenders, with out a doubt; but they were pretty valuable to the Yankees success. And either one of their value would have been higher as a full time DH not having their fielding miscues mitigate their offensive contirbutions.

I think outside of ARod, Damon and Jeter should all likely have very good offensive years, though it is worth noting that Jeter did have his worst offensive year to date. Outside of that there are some serious question marks.

Posada is coming back from a shoulder injury which not only affects his behind the plate performance but can affect his swing as well. With the exception of his contract year his last 4 years show a decline and that was before the injury. Matsui is also coming back from another major injury is 2nd in 3 years. I personally would have no confidence in him giving the Yanks a full season. Cano, now i'm not going to say he will never rebound but last year was bad and should be a little cause for concern, bc if he struggles again than that is another weak bat to worry about. Honestly I don't think he'll be that bad but at the same time I dont feel he's as good as he was back in 2006 and 2007. His minor league numbers, 2005, and 2008 don't support the theory that he is a top offensive 2nd baseman. I think he'll be slightly above average.

Now the Yankees also have 2 new hitters in Nady and Swisher. Both i'd expect to be solid additions to the Yankees, but neither is an all-star. Swisher is a little worrisome because he's coming off a HORRIBLE year. But i'd expect him to rebound some, especially if New Yankee stadium favors lefties like old yankee stadium did. Nady is a bit of a mystery he always seems like he is gonna break out (and maybe last year was the start) but then he falters. It always seems like he struggles as the season wears on but that might just be my perception.

This to me does not look like the most feared lineup in baseball. And in my opinion Gardner (and the opinion of Keith Law, Jim Callis and others) is not much more than a 4th outfielder and does represent a pretty big hole in the lineup.

craig: If you have teams refusing to offer arbitration to guys like Abreu, Dunn, Burrel and Garrett Anderson who the hell do you think is going to offer it to Cameron? It's clear what owners are doing. The Brewers would be idiots to offer Cam arbitration because then they would be stuck with him for 2010 for more than 10 mil. If I'm Cameron, I'm accepting that offer the very next day!! Do you honestly think that in winter of 2009 Cameron would get 10 mil in the open market at age 37? Who's going to give up a #1 pick for him? And why would a team offer any kind of decent package for a guy your desperate to get rid of with 2 months left in the season? Please be realistic.

And will you people PLEASE understand that the arguement ISN'T the Yanks paying Cams 10 mil salary, but instead it's the BREWS ASKING FOR IGAWA AND WANTING THE YANKEES TO PAY ALL OF HIS 09, 10 and 11 SALARY!!!!!! WHY ARE YOU NOT GETTING THIS!!!!!

walkoffblast: You are wrong again. The Yanks are the 5th best overall road draw in the mlb but 2nd in the Al to Boston only. They're also #1 in combined attendance. You can't really compare them to NL teams considering they only played 7 games on the road during inter-league play.

Of course the Yanks could use another bat (Tex or Man-NY). Of course we have to hope that Posada and Matsui are healthy. My biggest concern is who do we replace Abreu with at the #3 spot, not who's going to bat 9th. Whether it's Cameron, or Melky, or Cameron and Gardner is not that big of an impact IMO. And if anyone's going to be a rally killer it's having Sisher and Cameron batting 8th and 9th in the lineup (135 and 142)..Oh but wait...scribble doesn't think strikeouts matter...right.

The latest: Deal is dead!

Some comments by Melvin on JS Online.

Doug Melvin and he told me he's preparing now to open the 2009 season with Mike Cameron in center field.

n other words, the Cameron-for-Melky Cabrera talks with the Yankees are off. And it's the Yankees who turned them off by failing to re-establish contact with the Brewers this week.

"I haven't heard from (Yankees general manager) Brian Cashman and I haven't called them," said Melvin."I'm very happy having Mike Cameron with our ball club."

Not thrilled about being left dangling, Melvin said he's not sure he'd push forward with the trade now even if the Yankees re-established contact.

"I'm not sure if I even want to do that," he said.

"I'm not necessarily shopping him," said Melvin. "The Yankees had expressed interest. The only reason to do it was to regain some flexibility to pursue pitching. But the good pitching is drying up anyway."

GOOD!

i love it screw cameron and go for manny

Looks like the Brewers are content on signing a couple of starting pitchers like Randy Johnson.

I really think they should take a chance on Freddy Garcia.

Doug Melvin, It is time to wake up and make some moves. You are really making me mad with saying "we are just going to wait until the prices come down a bit."
Yeah, by then no one will be left.

PS: Don't ever ever sign Daniel Cabrera.

Thanks!

Why don't non-Yankee fans understand that even if we signed Tex (which I don't think we will) payroll for '09 will be DOWN from '08?!? Yet, people like craig continue to whine about how much money Cash & co. spend.

mike923: "You realize the Yankees are #1 in road attendance if you take away their road games at Fenway and if you take away the Red Sox road games at Yankee Staidum"

If only the Yankees could draw better at Fenway... ;-)

I'm glad the trade is off. It would have been one of the dumbest trades the brewers have made in a long time. P.S. YanksFanSince78 shut your mouth, no one wants to hear your crap on every single rumor. Don't you have better things to do than comment 5,000 times on every rumor

Forget Cameron. He's 36, hits .240 strikes out at an epic rate and makes 10 mill per. I realize it's only for one year...but I say use that 10 mill per towards Tex's 22 mill per and sign the guy. It will give the Yankees protection for ARod, a gold glove defensive 1B and screw the Rag Sox all at the same time.

With a line-up of Damon, Jeter, A Rod, Tex, Matsui, Nady, Cano, Posada and Gardner/Swisher...the Yankees will have enough offense and defense to go with their new pitching staff.

Also, forget signing a fifth starter...let Hughes, Kennedy and Aceves duke it out during Spring Training.

Finally, to all of those saying that "Gardner can't hit"....um, what are you basing this off of?? That massive 127 ab career sample size? He hit in the minors...and since you clueless trolls don't do any research before your ignorant comments...I'll fill you in on some reality. He hit .161 his first trip up....and then his second trip up hit .333 in Aug and .283 in Sept. sounds like he can hit a little now doesn't it! Also has a plus arm and plus plus speed. He'll be just fine for the year and at one-tenth of strikeout King Cameron's price.

No problem craig. If the team doesn't at least make the playoffs it will be a huge embarassment but that's part of sports. The bigger you are the harder you fall.

BrewCrewForLife: Grow a pair. What I said was in response to another poster. I have as much of a right to voice my opinion as you do. Don't like it? Don't read it or respond to it. Matter of fact, every time I make a post feel free to skip over it. What will never be said about me is that I make blind biased "my teams the best your team sucks comments". Have a great day. :)