Mike Cameron is the Cubs' top option to play center field, reports Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
The only thing standing between the Cubs and Cameron is Milton Bradley, argues Wittenmeyer. If and when Bradley is moved, it sounds as if Cameron will immediately be inked, who has manager Lou Piniella's approval. The 37-year old remains an excellent fielder and is also remarkably consistent with the bat, having averaged 22 home runs and 75 RBI over the past 11 seasons with little fluctuation. The right-hander would be a great complementary player on the North Side and would come without a long-term contract attached. Things can always change, but this is one rumor that makes all the sense in the world. Marlon Byrd was also mentioned as a person of interest to the club.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times


While I'd prefer Granderson, he is not worth the prospects etc we would need to give up to get him. I'm down for Cameron and thinks it's a decent move once Bradley gets moved...which is exactly why it won't happen

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Team Cutler.

As long as they keep Castro out of the deal I think they should trade for Granderson. His speed and left handed bat fits better in the lineup. He's only 29 and signed to a reasonable 3 yr contract (with an option for a 4th). Cameron is still a good defensive outfielder but he'll be 37 at the start of the season and his skills could diminish in a hurry. Anything more than a 1 yr contract could be risky.

Is that realistic?

What would they give instead?

They could offer a combination of Vitters, Cashner and Jackson. They can also throw in a guy like Marshall or maybe even Theroit if they think Castro is ready. They have options without including Castro.

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I think bringing in Cameron is just a bad move. The guy can go get'em in CF, but at the plate he is just another Soriano. I would rather have another year of Fuk in Center than bringing in Cameron.

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not interested. this team does not have another serious run at the title in it, with or without mike cameron. the only direction old talent should be heading at wrigley is "OUT".

not interested in another low average high strikeout hitter. and hes not a leadoff man by any means. might as well have resigned jim edmonds

and he actually looks like he strikes out MORE than soriano. what a headache

I have to respectfully disagree, douchebag. Having Cameron in center is at least 1-2 wins strictly based on the improved defense and having Fukudome back in RF where he was rated one of the best in '08 makes our OF from being porous to well above average in 2 position.

Cameron is not as Soriano as people think. He averages 73 walks over a 162 game stretch. Since 1999 he's only had two seasons below .780 OPS(.774 in '03 and .759 '07) and 6 seasons of it being over .800.

The only concern I have is his advancing years, but if we sign him to a reasonable 1 year 6-8 million contract, I couldn't be more for this move.

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Team Cutler.

+1

at least fuk is already under contract. cameron is not what this team needs at all.

lofton was still decent into his late thirties; but i don't like the cameron thing either. just doesn't seem worth it. i don't know that he's another soriano. these are his stats since '87:

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
Bases Empty 1728 3654 152 896 206 37 152 152 416 1005 0 0 .245 .328 .447 .775
Runners On 1644 2786 861 714 156 22 113 774 409 793 296 82 .256 .355 .450 .804
RISP 1414 1625 749 425 96 14 67 648 282 487 64 20 .262 .369 .462 .831
RISP w/2 Outs 844 750 275 191 45 9 27 269 138 235 23 3 .255 .378 .447 .824
Bases Loaded 317 174 138 45 8 2 5 140 22 64 0 0 .259 .332 .414 .746

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
None on/out 1219 1577 66 392 82 18 66 66 152 388 0 0 .249 .321 .449 .769
None on:1/2 Out 1641 2077 86 504 124 19 86 86 264 617 0 0 .243 .334 .445 .779
Men on, 2 outs 1076 1120 245 283 64 9 42 311 179 338 112 29 .253 .364 .438 .803
Man on 3rd, < 2 outs 555 322 234 99 22 3 13 257 60 96 16 3 .307 .371 .516 .886

also statistically his best place to hit is 4th... he bats .280 with a .363 OBP, .493 slugging, and .856 OPS.

He hustles and plays good defense, so comparing him to Soriano, only works where strikeouts are concerned. He can still steal a few bases too and has moderate power, but at 38, I say...No, thanks! I want top tier guys, not re-treads that are no longer good enough for the teams they were on last season (Cameron-Cabrera).

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Go Cubs!!!!

Top tier guys cost money. The Cubs don't have money. What about that don't you get?

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JohnKirk wrote: I dont get it...

They just dropped Hardens salary, Gregg's too. If they really wanted to trim salary, they should have kept Jake Fox and traded Derek Lee (who will make about 14 million this season) and let Fox and Hoffpauir share 1st base. That would have given them a lot more flexibility and after Lee's 2009 season, he would have probably drawn interest, especially being on the last year of his deal.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Congratulations. You just got yourself fired on your first day of being fake Cubs GM. Fox/Hoff at 1B? You got to be kidding me right?

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JohnKirk wrote: I dont get it...

PcB, you should go through his previous posts before you question his stupidity. Just make sure you have a barfbag nearby.

Just his Cubs posts or his racist steak dinner posts? I read a lot before I started posting so I could get a feel for the place. I know "The Brand" thinks he's some sort of baseball genius, but I feel his idiocy must be stopped.

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JohnKirk wrote: I dont get it...

Mike Cameron agrees to a 2yr/$15.5M deal with the Red Sox.

Hendry lets another target go by while he's unwilling to make a decision on Bradley. Not only did Bradley ruin last off season it looks like he's ruining this one as well.

Good. I didn't want Cameron. I don't have an answer for CF at this second, but I didn't want him.

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Second City Saint

Don't the Red Sox have Ellsbury?

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1926-1931-1934-1942-1944-1946-1964-1967-1982-2006-2011

the cubs need to stick with the shitty overpaid outfielders they have until they can get rid of them or the horrible contracts run out, then try to build a team with young talent. fire sale should start.............now. don't delay the inevitable.

I guess you have to really press to sign Byrd now.

What the hell happened to Ankiel?

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Second City Saint

Cards have a younger, cheaper Colby Rasmus.

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1926-1931-1934-1942-1944-1946-1964-1967-1982-2006-2011

I mean in general. Didn't he only hit 234 or something last year?

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Second City Saint

P.E.D.s wore off.

This is the same guy who struck out a ton of guys as a rookie, then completely lost it in the course of 1 inning...

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1926-1931-1934-1942-1944-1946-1964-1967-1982-2006-2011

The difference between Byrd and Cameron is big. And Byrd is BAD.

Cameron to Boston, good.

Ankiel and Pods, no way.

Not much too choose from this year. Better off sticking Fuke in CF. What about Colvin? I would rather give him a shot than to sign the 2 bust-outs Ankiel and Pods.