Washington Nationals Sign Veteran Outfielder Mike Cameron.
by Patrick Reddington on Dec 19, 2011 3:48 PM EST
Email
PrintFOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) just reported on Twitter that the Washington Nationals had reached an agreement with soon-to-be-39-year-old outfielder Mike Cameron. The 17-year veteran split the 2011 season between Boston and Florida, putting up a combined .203/.285/.359 line over 78 games and 269 plate appearances in which he hit 10 doubles and nine HR's. Over the course of his MLB career, Cameron, an 18th Round Chicago White Sox pick in the 1991 Draft who has played for the White Sox, Reds, Mariners, Mets, Padres, Brewers, Red Sox and Marlins, has a .249/.338/.444 slash with a 162-game average of 32 doubles and 23 HR's though he's hit just 21 doubles and 13 HR's combined in the last two seasons.
Cameron has a .987 fld% on his career and had a +17.7 UZR/150 in center last season (+5.5 UZR/150 in CF on his career.) Cameron hasn't been an everyday player since '09. Assuming he's not being brought in to start, Cameron could form part of a platoon in center with Roger Bernadina (or Rick Ankiel) if he returns, as MLB.com's Bill Ladson (@washingnats) just noted on Twitter as well. Cameron has a .263/.366/.487 career line against left-handers, though in 2011 he had a .165/.267/.352 line against lefties.
More info when it's available...
143 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
What was the point of this?
Is this the center fielder we were promised? Cameron has no value. But I guess Rizzo can go on vacation now.
It's a minor league deal
Kick the tires on him and see if anything comes up.
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
Right,
He is also arguably the best Centerfielder of the past decade +. I am sure the youngins can learn something from him regarding routes etc. A pudge esque move certainly.
You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!
That might be a bit much.
Well behind Andruw Jones, but top three nonetheless.
You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!
Kick his tires you might cripple him
You already got the best defensive cf in the game in Ankiel. There is no point to this. None. This is not what Rizzo should be doing. This just makes me angry.
Ankiel is NOT the best defensice CF in the game
last year was his best years by a million miles. It screams fluke
MOAR SEVERINO!
That's beside the point.
This signing serves absolutely no need. This is Rizzo acknowledging that he has failed finding a decent center field option.
How does this signal that
He should be the last guy on the bench. No one if puting him in as the starter
MOAR SEVERINO!
Remember Ankiel is awful against lefties
Having a potential platoon partner for him is an asset
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
Has the team stated whether or not they intend to bring Ankiel back?
by jimmylauderdale on Dec 19, 2011 5:21 PM EST up reply actions
No comment
But I suspect a “handshake” is in place, that’s waiting to see whether we’re re-signing him as the starting CF or as bench OF #1 to determine how much we pay him.
"I just want to tell you both good luck. We're all counting on you."
-Leslie Nielsen, Airplane
I don't see how the hell we could actually lose anything by re-signing Ankiel
Rick does not hit shockingly well, but he plays a more than credible CF – which, let us not forget, is a defensive pos, like SS and 2B. Besides, what are our options? CF pos is a work in progress on this team, and watch out for that kid Perez in 2013. Eury don’t get the ink Harper does, but he will in due course.
"I can go to my left or right, I am amphibious." - Charles Shackelford
I agree with you on a lot of things, but not on Eury Perez
A lot of people saw him in person in Potomac last year and have some concerns about him. He’s fallen below Destin Hood on a lot of prospect lists because right now he hasn’t evolved past the Juan Pierre skill set. He doesn’t have power and he doesn’t walk and last year he regressed in both of those categories when he needed to break out in one of those areas. He’ll steal a bunch of bases, but I think basestealing is one of the least important tools. I don’t believe he’s a defensive whiz in centerfield either.
I don’t know if any of the P-Nats fans visit these boards, but maybe folks like BinM have seen him in person.
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
Ah dude? Which team were you following again? The Phillies?
Riggleman and Rizzo promised Ankiel the starting CF job when they signed him. Its exactly why Bernadina did another tour in Syracuse because he had options.
Quote Giggleman AA Manager on Ankiel: “I can’t abandon Ankiel!”
Note: Cameron’s offense, power and especially his OBP is waaaaaay better than
Rick Ankiel’s at a far younger age. All you get with Ankiel is the arm. Put him in
the bullpen then they are short left-handed relief and starters.
Because we'd have someone better otherwise
Aoki would have been much better than Cameron.
You don't know that at all (Aoki).
He also would have cost more in terms of money and contract years. I’ll defer to Rizzo and company if they felt he was not worth the posting fee and contract it will take to sign him.
by jimmylauderdale on Dec 19, 2011 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
Cameron is a decaying corpse of a ballplayer
If the signing’s simply for minor league depth, then it doesn’t hurt. If the Nats FO is picturing Cameron as all or part of the solution for the 2012 CF situation, then this is exactly the panic move I was afraid was going to happen.
Brain: "Pinky, are you pondering what i'm pondering?"
Pinky: "Yes, ... wait, ... no, ... never mind"
That sums it up
But he can be a mentor. To who??? Blah.
One of the BEST CF's currently in the game? Mentor? Sheesh you really don't follow?
1. Harper (he needs it the most)
2. Eury Perez
3. Destin Hood
4. Corey Brown
5. Michael Taylor
and for the piesta resistance? Brian Goodwin 1st round draft pick.
Plus many more.
So if Aoki Starts
Who sits when Harper comes up? LaRoche? 8 mil on the bench?
You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!
Playing a player just because you are paying him is pretty stupid.
The short answer to your question is however is not playing well. If everyone is playing well, then there is no need for Harper to come up, and the Nationals can extend his controlable years, in order to get more of his most productive years. In the more likely event that someone is playing as well as Harper projects to play in his rookie season, they would be benched or possibly traded. A third possiblity is that someone on the team is injured and thus nobody is benched.
Good minor league signing
This is insurance against being unable to land a solid starter in center. I’m with apostle61…Aoki would likely be a better player, but he would cost some money and hasn’t played in the majors. Cameron can probably still play better defense than anyone on the major league roster. Looks to be done as a hitter though. Costs nothing if he’s truly washed up.
Relax Boys
it is only a minor league deal. Maybe Bernadina and other parts are going elsewhere in a trade. Cameron and Ankiel could platoon in CF for righties and lefties. Isn’t the ideal but it can work. If harper makes it you have Werth, Ank/Cam, and Harper in the OF. Morse moves to 1b and Laroche is on the bench.
Ankiel isn't coming back ...
The only reason he signed in the first place (and it was at the last moment) was because Riggleman promised him the starting job in CF.
Enough BS - sign some real players for God's sake!
Every guy signed so far as been completely and utterly meaningless. But at least all the others were for “organizational depth.” The problem with this is that it signals a lack of desire to seriously solve this cf problem. Oh, we can platoon guys and make do until Harper is ready… Then what? We’ll have Werth in center where he doesn’t belong. Until then we still have a crap offense and crap for a bench.
Nats pitching prospect Taylor Jordan out with Tommy John
I had him starting at Potomac next year.
MOAR SEVERINO!
Horrible news
On the flip side, no word on Solis yet so maybe he’s escaped the dreaded knife.
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
Still, it seems like it is only a matter of time ...
Both Solis and Purke the Nats two top power pitching lefties …
(Since Detwiler no longer has options).
Both experiencing arm troubles …
Need better solution in center field then using 39 yr old Mike Cameron part of a platoon
Minor league deal for a bench play he is ok. I don’t like the idea of Mike Cameron in a CF platoon at his age and recent performance.
Minor league deal, schminor league deal
Dollars to donuts Cameron comes north with the club — and not because he’s going to wow them in ST.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
I'm not.
See comment #1 above.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
Are we talking about the same person?
Cameron had a .289 OBP last year; he was one of the worst hitters in all of baseball.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
Winning teams get rid of guys like Cameron, they don't sign them
This sends all the wrong signals to the team, to the fan base and to potential fans. This is the kind of deal we made two years ago when we had nothing. Is Rizzo still stuck in that mindset? I never thought so before. Now..?
Minor League contract reads: BENCH
With Boston last year he was still ostensibly a starter at age 38!!!!
Same in Florida.
This is different.
No. It's the same crap we've had to swallow for six years
I don’t care about what Boston or Fla did. We wouldn’t have signed a vet like him unless we planned on using him. But we don’t need him on any role.
by apostle61 on Dec 19, 2011 6:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That is silly.
He is still an above average defender in each of the outfield spots and has some pop left in his bat. And nothing states he has been promised a starting spot. By all accounts he is also a good character guy in the clubhouse and a tremendous guy in the community. To say there is no need of him in any role makes it seem like you are just saying things in anger.
by jimmylauderdale on Dec 19, 2011 6:47 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not angry at Cameron
I just don’t want him on the team. This ain’t the Boy Scouts.
by apostle61 on Dec 19, 2011 6:54 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I fear that TJL nailed it: Stares II, Nightmare on S. Capitol Street, aka Ofer 2012
…and if so, prepare yerself for anger management class.
"I can go to my left or right, I am amphibious." - Charles Shackelford
Gerardo Parra or Chris Young?
Diamondbacks got an extra starting outfielder. Maybe interested in offers or Gerardo Parra. They could be listening to offers for Chris Young (a long shot). Parra can play center.
Gee and over at Bleed Cubbie Blue...
some of the posters (no opinion from Al, though) are also bummed that Mike Cameron has signed with the Nationals. They had hopes of trading Marlon Byrd to the Nationals. For what exactly, I’m not sure…
"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"--The Brain
It ain't gonna happen this off-season, boyz, and might's well face it.
We just won’t be making any monster moves…but then, apart from the Fish (who will be much improved in 2012), and the Mets (who managed to borrow $40M so’s to meet payroll), can somebody tell me who the hell else in NLE has gotten off their hands? Unless I miss my guess, our ST will be pretty much come-as-you-are.
Which ain’t half bad, come to think. Pitching and D will be better. O can’t get much worse – can it? – and with any luck and no big injuries, we’ll win north of 81. Then we’ll make a run at the LCS in 2013.
"I can go to my left or right, I am amphibious." - Charles Shackelford
We won 80 games last year on pitching and chemistry
The pitching’s still solid but what about the chemistry?. 80 wins isn’t a sure thing next year. We can regress you know. Maybe next year the Phils kick our ass. You can’t assume anything.
by apostle61 on Dec 19, 2011 6:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Good Lord, relax man - pitchers and catchers don't report until Feb 19 (I'm counting, believe me)
Last year was problem-filled and injury-plagued. We’re young, we’re good, and we’re getting better fast.
"I can go to my left or right, I am amphibious." - Charles Shackelford
"It ain't over til its over" ... - Blutarsky
Sorry but no … its still way too early to make that call.
"Why are ye' fearful, O yea of little faith?"
Nabbering nabobs of negativism. Be off with ye’. We’ll win north of 81 or I’ll buy Sam Adams (or the brew of your choice) for the entire room – payable at the beer stand behind Sec 129, last home game.
"I can go to my left or right, I am amphibious." - Charles Shackelford
Anybody going to offer a beer to everyone in the room if they win more than 81?
That way we’ll get a freebie unless we go 81-81. I’ll reserve judgement until all the useful players are gone. I was upset that we didn’t get Aoki, but I don’t think we need to read too much into someone being signed to a minor league contract. Hell, he’s 4 years younger than Stairs was last year. I’ll wait to see if he ends up in CF the first time we face a lefty before I get too worked up about this signing.
81 games?
Not with the team as it stands — not unless everything goes right for the Nats, which, as I’ve mentioned numerous times before, does not happen.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
No, but they aren't any better either
And the team overachieved to reach 80 in 2011.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
I think they are better
Stras>Livo and Det>Marquis
also LaRcohe>Nix, and healthy Zim>Hairston
MOAR SEVERINO!
I'll give you the first
But, Det and Marquis may be exactly the same, LaRoche isn’t better than ANYONE, and “healthy Zim” is a contradiction in terms.
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
LaRoche has averaged around 25 homers and 85 RBI over his career.
When has Nix produced that much in one season? What’s the difference in their lifetime batting averages, 20 or 25 points? Geez, you’d think LaRoche’s BA from last year was the norm for him. He’s not Fielder, but he’s not Marv Thornberry either.
Yeah, but LaRoche is a 1B and Nix plays corner OF.
ALR is certainly more productive, but in a more demanding position for offense—at least as a starter. That said, I’d rather him on the bench than Nix.
Mon pauvre vieux, les empires s'écroulent, les républiques s'effondrent et les imbéciles demeurent.
Nix whas the indirect replacement for LaRoche
with Morse going to 1B and Nix taking his spot in the OF. position dosent matter here, becuase we are replacing Nix’s production with ALR
MOAR SEVERINO!
So...
@Buster_ESPN: @Enrique_Rojas1 is reporting: Cespedes has established residency in D.R., and the bidding can begin soon.
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Dec 19, 2011 7:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Sign the mofo
Don’t waste time Rizzo!!!
by apostle61 on Dec 19, 2011 8:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It will be months before Cespedes is eligible to be signed.
Gives Rizzo plenty of time!
by jimmylauderdale on Dec 19, 2011 8:04 PM EST up reply actions
Vacation time.
Low profile the next couple of weeks. With luck, the team will give us a Christmas present and
#signFielder.
Meanwhile, Happy Holidays, all!
Rob
--"Well my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." -- Mal Reynolds
@Ken_Rosenthal:
Sources: #Nationals pushing hard for Gio. Discussing 4-for-1 trade with #Athletics. #MLB
Depends on who the 4 are, but I tend to agree with Jeff.
If we’re going to trade the farm at least let it be for some offensive production.
The Latos haul definitely makes for a frightening proposition.
Beane’s track record when it comes to acquiring prostpects for proven players has not been near as good, however. Gio is still young and puts up huge K/9 numbers, though. Would slot in really well behind Strasburg and Zimmermann. Really depends on who the Nats give up.
by jimmylauderdale on Dec 19, 2011 8:32 PM EST up reply actions
Detwiler, Norris, Peacock, and Hood? Something like that? What 4 do you think that we’d have to give up?
Waiting to bang my drum in parades for the Nats and Caps.
Wonder if Shark is one of the four; that would explain the Cameron signing.
Still don’t want him as more than a bench player, though.
A complete pipe dream, but...
what if they included Morse and turned around and signed Fielder? How different would that make the off-season? Haha
by jimmylauderdale on Dec 19, 2011 8:36 PM EST up reply actions
"a possible four-for-one deal involving the left-hander."
almost a guarantee to alienate any given 75% of NatsTown…
"...I don't want to go watch American League baseball." Lance Berkman......LBIMH...
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 19, 2011 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
The red gave up BA ranked 3, 4, & 10 and current pitcher
Simular to: 3. Brad Peacock, rhp; 4. A.J. Cole, rhp; 10. Steve Lombardozzi, 2b/ss; and Tom Gorzelanny
However their guys were blocked.
Seems like alot for the Nats.
I think it is safe to say Gonzalez is not as good as Latos, however.
If Rizzo is smart he is also talking to the White Sox about Danks and trying to get the best deal.
by jimmylauderdale on Dec 19, 2011 8:48 PM EST up reply actions
Danks
is a Free Agent in 2013. Only get on season.
you're saying we have hope?
"...I don't want to go watch American League baseball." Lance Berkman......LBIMH...
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 19, 2011 8:46 PM EST up reply actions
A's fan throwing in some Oakland perspective
Beane seems intent on acquiring a near ready SP as part of any deal. My guess is Peacock. I could also see A.J. Cole headlining if the A’s decide to wait 2-3 years on the return. (Peacock and Cole seems a stretch to me in a 4-for-1 deal.) I won’t waste your time talking about Harper or the 2011 draft class. I worry that Derek Norris might hold some appeal. Destin Hood or Michael Taylor… maybe both (???) if the A’s prefer Cole and want to look long term. More likely a high-upside SS type (if you have one) that’s 2-3 years or more away.
In terms of talent… Cole/Norris/Hood/+1 feels right even if the names are different.
The monster at the end of this blog.
Not a fan
Detwiler is meh, but worse (for your perspective) is that he already has 2 years of big league service time. Beane wants guys he can control for 6 years.
The monster at the end of this blog.
For your SS prospect, would you perfer power or average
we have Martinson who has some decent pop, and Walters who is a better average guy. I really dont want to give up Cole, but you have to give value to get value.
MOAR SEVERINO!
I prefer defense first at SS
With enough bat to justify a spot in the starting line-up.
The monster at the end of this blog.
I think Walters would be the better fit
but if you wanted another OF, you guys could have 2 Michael Taylors! Do you guys have any CF that you could trade? I really dont know my AL teams ver well.
MOAR SEVERINO!
So, the lowest you would take is
Cole/Norris/Hood/Walters for Gio. Thats a hard one for me to decide on, I love Cole, but Gio is good.
MOAR SEVERINO!
Good rule o' thumb...
If it kinda hurts to give up what you’d have to give up then it’s probably a fair deal.
The monster at the end of this blog.
baby raccoons getting VERY nervous, as a 4-for-1 means three less mouths to feed....
thus much less snack- to -scraps ratio….not good, at all…Please don’t take our players, A’s!!!
"...I don't want to go watch American League baseball." Lance Berkman......LBIMH...
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 19, 2011 9:08 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks for stopping by.
I don’t know why you would be worried about Norris. He’s a great prospect.
If you are looking for SS material you might to look at Zach Walters. He was a 21 year old in A+ that hit .302/.377/.485 for AZ. Had a good AFL trip, but not stellar.
I respectfully disagree on Norris
A .210 batting average and 35% K rate in AA worries me. He wasn’t especially young for AA and he only played a partial season.
Why the missed time?
The monster at the end of this blog.
Rolled his ankle early in the season but that only cost him a 7-10 days IIRC...
Here’s a quick report on his 2011 season/AFL I wrote w/ quotes from Rizzo:
22-year-old fellow Nats’ prospect Derek Norris finished his second trip to AFL with two doubles, two HR’s, 12 walks, 14 K’s, four stolen bases and a .276/.367/.382 slash in 21 games and 76 at bats. Norris had a .278/.403/.667 line with five doubles, two triples and four home runs in 2010’s AFL campaign. The top backstop prospect in the Nats’ system put up a .210/.367/.446 line and hit 17 doubles and 20 HR’s in 104 games and 423 plate appearances at Double-A Harrisburg this season. The Nats’ general manager told reporters that though Norris’ .210 AVG “raised some eyebrows… his other peripherals were good. His power was as good as we’ve ever seen it, and again, his catch and throw skills have dramatically improved.”
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Dec 19, 2011 9:19 PM EST up reply actions
Norris only played 104 out of 142 games
That still seems like a chunk of missed time, even for a Catcher.
The monster at the end of this blog.
I couldn't remember or find any other injuries, though I agree it seems a low total...
Maybe someone else here remembers another DL stint…
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Dec 19, 2011 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
Indeed
Nice to know im not going crazy thou
http://www.natsinsider.com/2010/05/norris-suffers-head-injury.html
Ian Desmond is my hero!
flores or pudge rehab?
I don’t really remember
Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion man
nope, and he did rank 4th in games played, so not unusual...
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=6fe4309f#team_fielding_by_C::none
"...I don't want to go watch American League baseball." Lance Berkman......LBIMH...
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 19, 2011 9:56 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe I'm just used to the A's running their Catchers into the ground...
The monster at the end of this blog.
I think you have some incorrect facts.
His K% was 27% and that was because he walked 18% of the time. He still posted an OPS of .813 it is just that bad luck (.251 BABIP) has a disparate effect on a smaller sample size.
Next, he’s 22 at AA, which is entirely age appropriate, especially as a catcher.
He played 104 games, which isn’t that unusual for a catcher. The only injury for 2011 that I could find was a sprained ankle that kept him out the minimum number of games.
I didn't say Norris was old for AA
I said he wasn’t young, ie he wasn’t young for the league.
I only know 1 other guy that habitually does K-rate by PA. I tend to use AB.
The monster at the end of this blog.
I’d have thought if there is any Nats prospect that fits the Moneyball-theme…it’s Norris.
Ian Desmond is my hero!
lol
I’ll almost bet you that if this deal is on…Norris is in it. :)
And I suspect that a few pitchers would be in the mix too. Just thinking that the Nats prospect strength is in backstops and pitchers. There isnt a lot else there (that’s enough to be sought after for a quality trade).
Ian Desmond is my hero!
NPUT with quotes from Rosenthal's article...
And a quick history of the chatter…
Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."
by Patrick Reddington on Dec 19, 2011 9:12 PM EST reply actions
Ahem. If we may return to the top of this thread...
“Cameron…will be 39 years old in January and struggled last season in stints with the Boston Red Sox and Florida Marlins. He hit .203/.285/.359 combined in 269 plate appearances. The Red Sox released him because of ineffectiveness, and the Marlins released him, reportedly, because he got into a verbal altercation with a flight attendant on a team plane.”
- Kilgore, today
I’m notoriously slow on the uptake, always have been – but would somebody care to ’splain again why we need this guy? Anywhere? For anything? Ever?
"I can go to my left or right, I am amphibious." - Charles Shackelford
he's 273 in dog years...hope this isn't Plan B...............
"...I don't want to go watch American League baseball." Lance Berkman......LBIMH...
by cat daddy3000 on Dec 20, 2011 2:12 AM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Federal Baseball
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
GAMETHREAD SPONSOR
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
- Giancarlo Stanton misses cutoff man, and Logan Morrison is thankful he did (Video)
- Snoop Dogg delivers memorable first pitch at U.S. Cellular Field
- The Juice: Mesoraco’s grand slam helps Reds complete four-game sweep of Braves
