Report: Cameron trade seems unlikely

November 7, 2008 by Benjamin Kabak 33 Comments

While yesterday we recognized that the Yanks were still interested in Mike Cameron, today a trade with the Brewers seems less likely. Ken Davidoff and Kat O’Brien do not believe the Yanks will acquire the center fielder.

The Yankees have held talks with the Brewers about acquiring centerfielder Mike Cameron, but as the general managers’ meetings wrapped up Thursday in Dana Point, Calif., they were not optimistic about landing him…

Talks with the Brewers about Cameron began before this week’s meetings, although word leaked out only the past couple of days. Yankees centerfielder Melky Cabrera and righthanded pitcher Ian Kennedy have been discussed, although a source said the Yankees are not inclined to include Kennedy in such a trade.

I’m fairly amused that the Brewers are interested in Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy considering how many RAB commenters seem to believe that Melky and Kennedy can basically land us whatever we want. On the surface, I’m definitely not opposed to trading these two players and in tandem. However, I agree with the Yankees; I’m not inclined to include Kennedy in a deal for 36 year old with a career OBP of .340 due to make $10 million next year.

The Yanks don’t really need a center fielder next year. They’re happy to go into the season with some combination of Johnny Damon, Melky and Brett Gardner unless a good deal comes along. I’d rather see the Yanks use their resources — Kennedy, Melky, etc. — to acquire a first baseman of some pitching, and if that means missing out on Cameron, well, then I’m fine with it.

Ivan

Persoanlly that’s quite alot for a guy who’s considered a stop gap guy and is old and etc. 2-3 players for Cameron? Really? I’d pass on that deal myself.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Mr. Snarky Irrelevant Non Sequitur Jones
  
  Well, if the three players were Melky Cabrera and two scrubs, I’d be okay with it. That’s an upgrade.
  
  The minute IPK was discussed was when I pulled out mentally.
  - radnom
    
    And physically.
Reggie C.

Giving up IPK in a deal for Cameron would be a bad move. Cameron’s OBP doesn’t scare me b/c he’s got pop in that bat , and he’s a better defender than Damon. But Cameron’s very much a year to year player at this point, and you can’t simply give away IPK for somebody who’s a 1 year stopgap.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Mr. Snarky Irrelevant Non Sequitur Jones
  
  Precisely. Cameron’s value was always as a temporary bridge/roster flexibility that didn’t cost any prospects. When the Brewers picked up his option, that value was nullified; when reports came out that they were looking to flip him on the cheap and he may cost no more than Melky, the value returned; when the reports were proven false, the value was gone again.
  
  Case closed.
Slugger27

totally agree ben… id be willing to give up melky, but not IPK, and certainly not both

cameron would be nice, but hes not a necessity
Steve S

I know its a little off topic but why do all the yankee trade rumors involve guys who are either in or relatively close to the majors. I realize a lot of these rumors are like that for premium players like Peavy and Holliday but really, two ML caliber players (granted not premium guys but Kennedy and Melky could immediately help the Brewers next year) for a guy past 35 who will strikeout 120X and costs $10M? How does that even get suggested. I realize the rumors like Melky and Kennedy for Grady Sizemore rumor is the product of drugs and brain damage, but as down as Melky and Kennedy are right now, they are both young, cost controlled and shown that they can play a role on a MLB team.

You never hear anyone in the press suggest the guys in A ball who are a part of some trades. Its always guys in AA or higher.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Mr. Snarky Irrelevant Non Sequitur Jones
  
  Maybe because most sportswriters are lazy and have no idea who we have in our farm outside of the people who have already had a cup of coffee in the majors?
  - Yankee1010
    
    Agreed. I’m pretty sure that most of them could not name more than 2 of the Yanks’ minor league teams, forget players.
- whozat
  
  That’s true of most trades for high-profile major league players. Why trade a productive major leaguer for a guy who’s 3-4 years away and has a great chance of never making it?
  - Steve S
    
    I get it for high profile guys. But Im saying, Hughes and Kennedy seemed to be linked in every deal. Both of these guys have demonstrated that they can get outs on the ML level so they have immediate return. But you are always risking something when you trade for young players. I dont get why not one report lists a guy like Betances as trade bait. Granted he cant be the centerpiece in a deal but I would think he would be a more valuable piece then say Jeff Karstens is going to be the Pirates. if Im one of these teams rebuilding, I want the big immediate reward with the prospect ready to go but I would think on the supplemental pieces I would take a chance with a guy in Low A who has great stuff but just needs to be developed. We all know these guys exist for the Yankees but they are never mentioned in the trade talks.
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Mr. Snarky Irrelevant Non Sequitur Jones
      
      Who the hell is “Betances”?
      
      Sincerely,
      
      The Sports Departments of the New York Post, New York Daily News, New York Times, New York Newsday, Bergen Record, Westchester Journal News, AM New York, Metro New York, The Village Voice, El Diario, Hoy, and the Five Towns Jewish Times.
- http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=594331910&ref=name Jamal G.
  
  You never hear anyone in the press suggest the guys in A ball who are a part of some trades. Its always guys in AA or higher.
  
  It’s the same reason why prospects who are closer to the Major League level always dominate prospect rankings in comparison to their lower level brethren: the better track record you have, the more value you represent to an organization. There really is no underlying reason, it’s just that the more a player proves himself at a higher level is the more said player increases the chances that he will be a Major League player.
  
  There is enough risk involve trying to sort out which prospects you feel can reach the Major League level. Now, couple that with evaluating prospects from other organizations (thus you do not know them as well as your own players), and attempting to receive an adequate haul in a high-profile trade, you can understand why teams want to weed out as much doubt about these Minor League players as possible.
  
  For example, let’s take a look at Austin Romine and Bryan Anderson (STL). Romine has a higher ceiling than Anderson, more power and a better bat overall. However, Anderson has shown exceptional on-base ability and plate discipline at the Triple-A level; thus he is more valuable to every other organization than Romine is at this point in their respective careers.
  
  **Yes, I realized that I could have answered your question in two sentences, but I’m bored, sue me.
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Mr. Snarky Irrelevant Non Sequitur Jones
    
    Yes, I realized that I could have answered your question in two sentences, but I’m bored, sue me.
    
    Jamal G. = Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer
    - http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=594331910&ref=name Jamal G.
      
      http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=sxi0zo&s=4
  - http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=594331910&ref=name Jamal G.
    
    I’m an idiot, I cited your statement and completely disregarded what you said. My answer was in regards to why a potential trade partner would focus more on prospects in the Double-A level or higher.
    
    As for an answer to your actual question? I’d say it’s more often than not the reason that TSJC gave. I’m sure there are some reporters who can validly use my argument (honestly, they probably all will just to avoid looking ignorant), but for the most part, they are just inept at offering any type of analysis on this great game.
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Mr. Snarky Irrelevant Non Sequitur Jones
      
      No playoff?!?!?
      
      Mmmm, LUPICA MAD!!! LUPICA SMASH!!!!!
      
      LUPICA WANT TRADE KENNEDY!!!!
    - Steve S
      
      No stress, you still made a valid point
  - Steve S
    
    No I get the analysis and I understand why a team would prefer the AAA guys. But in the context of these lesser players. For example Xavier Nady-
    
    Tabata- Prospect- AA
    Danimal- Prospect- AAA
    Karstens- Journey Man- MLB
    Ohlendorf- Prospect- MLB/AAA
    
    Now the premium piece of talent in that deal was Tabata. The rest of the pieces were throw ins (not knowing the exact details with Kontos and Coke, Kontos being the prospect and Coke the reclamation project). Now the luster was off Tabata by the time that deal went down, but the Pirates traded a cost controlled outfielder in the midst of a career year and a solid middle reliever/closer for Tabata and spare parts.
    
    I can understand when Peavy comes on the market why he can command so much, he is young AND cost controlled. But a guy like Holliday, who everyone in the league must say to Colorado, look he is good but he puts up $20M a year numbers with you guys he cant duplicate that in our ballpark. How can you trade that much for a guy like him.
    
    I guess Im going in circles but when you compare it to the Santana trade (which is a sore subject) the mets gave up one major league ready player, a AAA pitcher who was arguably close and a kid in high A who projects (at 18 years old) to be a front end starter. Dan Haren went for two premium prospects and some nice throw ins.
    
    That should be the top of the heap. My question is why and how when Mike Cameron’s name comes up, three prospects- two of them being ML ready come up in the conversation.
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Mr. Snarky Irrelevant Non Sequitur Jones
      
      Good question. All I can say is, either the Brewers really wanted those players and overplayed their hand, or the Brewers mentioned to someone that they were looking for two or three players in return for Cameron, and dumbass sportswriters ran with it and inserted the names IPK and Melky into those “two or three” because it’s all they know.
      
      But yes, if I were Doug Melvin, I’d be going hail mary and shooting one of the lower rung guys who’s more upside than Melky. I’d ask for one good prospect (like IPK) or one really high-ceiling guy, like Romine/Montero/Betances, and call it a day.
      
      Of course, Cashman wouldn’t do that, and Melvin probably wouldn’t do Melky, which is why all of this was probably a fruitless charade in the first place.
      - Steve S
        
        I feel so betrayed by the main stream media….
      - Steve S
        
        And if you are Melvin, then if you get say Melky and say Betances, wouldnt that be a steal for a guy like Cameron who really has zero value to that franchise.
        
        I think the media just does it because of 1. laziness and 2. they dont think fans take the time to learn these things so why bother listing names “no one” will recognize.
        
        http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Mr. Snarky Irrelevant Non Sequitur Jones
        
        It would be a steal. Absolutely.
        
        Cashman would never do that, though.
Craig

If I were the Yankees I would be very hesitant to trade IPK. He has flown through the minor league system and is still figuring out how to get ML hitters out. I would rather have Ian in AAA working on his craft, because the last few years have shown that the Yankees will need to reach for a pitcher in Scranton. I would rather have IPK waiting his turn then sign Fat Sid or a Rasner type (I won’t even mention Carly).

Lets say the Yankees break the bank and land CC
Our rotation would be

CC
Wang
Andy (He’ll sign)
Joba
Hughes (Maybe)

In AAA
IPK
Aceves
Kontos

Notice no Fat Sid :)
Bo

I cant see them giving up IPK for a one yr stopgap in CF.
DCR

Why do people think the Yankees can afford Gardner in the lineup everyday? He cannot hit to save his life. I realize hes fast but in order to utilize that speed you kind of have to get on base. The only way CF is not a hole needing to be filled is if Holliday is brought over and Damon is in CF for one year.
- DCR
  
  P.S.: Ian Kennedy is the new Tyler Clippard. The Yankees should get what they can for him. Colorado reportedly likes him. Lets get the wheels moving for Holliday.
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Mr. Snarky Irrelevant Non Sequitur Jones
    
    While neither of us can predict the future, so technically there is a percentage change that you may be right, I’m still going to say that everything you said in these to paragraphs is dead-ass wrong.
    
    Your philosophy is wrong, your evaluations of the players are wrong, your estimations of the prices are wrong, and your predictions of the future are wrong.
    
    You’re batting a thousand. Kudos.
    - DCR
      
      Yeah, my philosophy of not wanting to head into a season with a guy who has people optimistic because of an .643 OPS. I am so sorry that I am not bursting with confidence because of that line, largely compiled in September. But then again I guess it explains why you think the Yankees should keep Kennedy.
A different Steve S

Since the Yankees seems to be interested in acquiring a CFer, how about moving Jeter to CF and signing Rafael Furcal to play SS. I know Jeter would likely be less than enthused about moving off SS, but it’s going to have to happen within the next couple of years anyway, and CF seems to be a logical destination. It also makes way more sense than moving him to 1B or a corner OF spot, where he simply doesn’t produce the offense to make him a true asset. A team with Furcal at SS and Jeter at CF seems likely to me to be both an offensive and defensive upgrade to a team with Jeter at SS and either Melky or Gardner at CF, no?
Peter Lacock

CF is a position of defensive priority. Gardner’s D seems to be outstanding. If he hits that’s a plus. All he needs to do is hit .240 which is possible. He gets deep into counts and he might steal 50 bases in the 9 hole. Sounds good to me.
Jeter will retire as a SS. Posada will retire as a C. Bet on it.
- DCR
  
  If that’s the case then why isn’t Melky still playing CF?
Currambayankees

So glad, we don’t need a 10mil CF on the other side of 35 for two young players. KEEP his Milwaukee, please KEEP HIM.