Dollars and Sense

by jscape2000 on Dec 11, 2008 5:58 PM EST in New York Yankees Analysis

C- Posada 13; 1B- Swisher 5; 2B- Cano 6; 3B- Arod 32; SS- Jeter 20; LF- Damon 13; CF- Cameron 10 RF- Nady 4; DH- Matsui 13; C- Molina 1;

SP- Wang 5; SP- Sabathia 22; SP- Burnett 16; SP- Joba
SP
RP- Bruney 1; RP- Marte 4; RP- Mo 15

That totals up to 180 as is. Adding Pettitte brings it to 190- over the rumored budget goal of $180. That's why the Yanks are looking for a little money to come back (or unload) along with Mike Cameron.

Loyal poster NumberSeven points out that CBSSports reports the Cameron deal "fell apart" over money.

I don't know what the magic number is, but until we see how the numbers and players shake out on the salary side, it's hard to talk about centerfield at anything other than a discount. Maybe once Cash gets back from his talk with Andy and we know who our 4th and 5th starters are, maybe then another CF deal will open up.

Pitching, pitching, pitching. Don't get distracted by the bats starting to sign.

Update: On again.

Perhaps as early as tomorrow, the deal could be completed, with perhaps a second player coming back to the Brewers from the Yankees. Melvin said the financial aspects of the deal had been settled but talks continued on a second player coming from New York.

I know Cameron k's a ton. But he's still an above average offensive player. On the other hand, I would like to remind the world that Melky put up .249/.301/.341 last season (that's 68 OPS+).

And defensively, Cameron was better than Melky last season according to FRAA, but PMR says Cameron was about the same amount worse. Let's call that a push.

So Cameron is better offensively and about equal defensively. Even if Cameron suffers a fair offensive or defensive decline I think the 2009 Yanks are better off with Cameron in CF.

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Comments

i hope

the Cameron deal fell apart, for the reasons Ronster stated: Cameron Ks like no one’s business, has a low BA and OBP, and is well on the wrong side of 30. And Melky should only get better.

by Travis G on Dec 11, 2008 7:37 PM EST reply actions

Bottom line is...

…it’s one year of Cameron. It’s not like they are signing the guy to multi-year deal. And if they can get the Brewers to take on some of the salary it makes total sense to me.

Give AJax a full year at triple A, and see what what happens.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Dec 11, 2008 9:27 PM EST reply actions

The one year thing ...

If we need a guy to keep the position warm for one season before giving the keys to Ajax, then why not go after a guy who gets on base and can run. Cameron doesn’t do either very well anymore. We have one of those guys … Melky!

Cameron isn’t going to hit better than .260 in Yankee Stadium. Melky might actually better that, and will certainly put the ball in play more often. While I don’t think Melky will ever be a star, he certainly can be an important piece to the championship puzzle for one year.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Dec 12, 2008 9:59 AM EST up reply actions

You overvalue putting the ball in play

Cameron is a superior offense player. He may strike out more and put the ball in play less, but let’s remember that when Melky puts the ball in play, it’s usually an out. There’s no way you can move enough baserunners or go from first to third often enough to make up for a .300 OBP and a sub-.400 SLG over 600 plate apperances.

by 3460kuri on Dec 12, 2008 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

Cameron is not superior ...

Once upon a time before Cameron qualified for his AARP card, perhaps. But no more. Melky has a better arm and covers more ground. Cameron’s defense is overstated—especially considering his age, his legs.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Dec 12, 2008 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

Melkey could wind up being solid

but if the Yanks hold on to him and tanks again this year, his value is next to nothing. At least there is a little interest in him now. There is risk involved here, as there is with any move, but Gardner’s still around if the Cameron experiment fails.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Dec 12, 2008 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

Wish Gardner could hit.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Dec 12, 2008 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

Cameron deal

would be good in a vaccum, but it’s not a vaccum, for example our configuration with the trade is probably.

CF: Cameron, LF , Damon 1B Swisher

without it, we could potentially do

CF: Damon, LF: Swisher, 1B Teixeira

if Cameron’s a stop gap (which he is) then why not Damon? who’s playing for his next contract anyway and would unlikely match his 08 performance with the bat. if we do the first cofiguration and end up with the OF of Damon / Cameron / Nady, that really isn’t too good, all 3 guys are projected to hit around league average. but two of the spot are corner power spots. and Swisher at best would be a average to slightly above average bat at first.

If we do the later configuration, we would surely have a well above bat at 1st, a Swisher / Damon / Nady combo is also likely to do better. (Bill Jame’s projection OPS, Swisher .810 , Cameron .759) . more importatnly, it gives us a long term solution to one area , the first configuration does not.

by RollingWave on Dec 11, 2008 10:21 PM EST reply actions

The Yanks

clearly think that Damon’s arm is enough of a weakness to overshadow his range.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Dec 11, 2008 11:35 PM EST up reply actions

I'm all for defense but

this would be one serious case of overrating defense. Mike Matheny serious.

first off, Swisher in his career profile as a exellent glove in the corner OF and mediocare at first, him over Nady or even Damon would be good, Texieria profile from average to elite at times at first, so we’re likely to upgrade in two of 3 position with a minor downgrade in center defensively, AND gain signifcant hitting, where as the other alightment we may or may not gain anything offesnively and only improve midlly defensively.

by RollingWave on Dec 12, 2008 12:42 AM EST up reply actions