Entering the offseason, there was a pretty good chance that the starting center fielder of the Yankees would have the initials M.C. Leaving the winter meetings, that appears to be guaranteed. It just the letters following the M and the C that have changed. According to the Daily News, the Yankees and Brewers have agreed on a trade bringing Mike Cameron to the Bronx.
Melky Cabrera will head to Milwaukee in return for the soon-to-be 36-year old Cameron. Cabrera is just 24, but the gap in age is exceeded by the gap in projected performance. Cameron, whether he was playing in Seattle, Shea Stadium, San Diego or Milwaukee, turns in pretty much the same season every year. Good power, good speed and good defense tempered by way too many strikeouts and a low batting average. Cabrera may yet turn out to be a good ballplayer, but his 2008 season was horrific and Austin Jackson is moving up the Yankee system.
Jackson, the top Yankee positional prospect, could be ready in 2010. Cameron is a free agent after this season, which would leave that spot for Jackson's taking if he's ready to snatch it. Cameron is also close to CC Sabathia, which isn't a reason to trade for him but when you've already given the lefty everything under the sun, what's a center fielder?
You'll likely hear many Yankee fans moaning that how is Cameron all they could get for Cabrera, but those aren't people dealing in reality. Among everyone who doesn't live with pinstriped blinders on, Cabrera's stock cratered last season. An OPS+ of 68 will do that to you, as will the sense that Cabrera regressed as a player at a time when he should have been improving. He's probably a good defensive fourth outfielder masquerading as a starter.
Nothing's confirmed yet, so there may be more to the deal than just Cameron and Cabrera. If that's it, though, the Yankees have made out very well for themselves.
UPDATE: As we said, nothing was confirmed and it may never be. Ken Rosenthal of FOX is reporting that the deal has hit a snag that may stop it from coming to fruition. Both sides have issues. The Brewers want another player and the Yankees want the Brewers to pay some of Cameron's $10 million salary.
The Brewers' side makes sense as they should be able to get more than Cabrera in return for Cameron. It would also make sense that the Yankees don't want to give up a second player. The money thing, however, is baffling.
