| Douglas Benton. 14th January, 2008 - 6:21 pm
 The Milwaukee Brewers knew they needed to make changes to ensure they wouldn’t falter down the stretch in 2008 like they did in 2007. In that vein, they have added another veteran, this time in centerfielder Mike Cameron, who was signed to a one-year deal worth $7 million.
Cameron, is coming off a 2007 with the San Diego Padres where he hit .242 with 21 home runs, 78 RBI, and 18 stolen bases in 151 games. His offensive numbers will see a bump next season as he leaves a bad hitter’s park in Petco Park and moves into a good hitter’s park in Miller Park, and he should be worth more than the $2.5 million (-64% Reina Value) he played to last season.
However, maybe more than his offense, his defense is where the core of his value is. His range has decreased some in recent years, but he is still in the upper half in centerfielders.
I think he will be penciled in at the six or seven hole and have a .265 average with 20 home runs and 90 RBI with 10 stolen bases.
On the surface, this is a good signing for the Brewers, who also have a $10 million 2009 option on Cameron. He will improve the defense in center compared to what Bill Hall brought last year, and he gives them a veteran bat who can provide some pop. More importantly though, he will be consistent and steady which is something this offense lacked last season.
With Cameron in center, it is expected Manager Ned Yost will move Hall to third base and then move third baseman Ryan Braun to left field. This is a bad idea because Hall won’t be noticeably better than Braun, and by moving Braun to the outfield the defense will weaken because of his lack of range. Additionally, this move could mess with his swing.
Remember in Atlanta a few years ago when Chipper Jones was moved to the outfield and his bat suffered in conjunction to him having numerous lower body injuries?
I think Cameron is a good addition and a player many teams wanted, but in the end his positives his brings will only marginally outweigh the negatives of the line-up shuffle.
Grade: B-
How do you think Cameron will fare in Milwaukee? Email your thoughts to Douglas.Benton@realgm.com |
