Mike Cameron Likely To Stay With The Red Sox Next Season

by Jared Stegall on Dec 12, 2010 4:46 PM EST in News

In the middle of a crazy, and quite unthinkable offseason for the Red Sox that has landed them both Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, they have indicated they will likely hold onto the man that Crawford will be replacing in the outfield: soon to be 38-year old Mike Cameron.

Cameron has expressed a desire to stay with the Red Sox, according to GM Theo Epstein:

"This role is something he can embrace and really make the most out of and have a tremendous impact on this club with all the left-handed hitting that we have," the GM said of the right-handed hitter.

Cameron was signed to a 2-year contract last offseason by the Red Sox and was supposed to be the team's everyday center fielder, but was limited to just 48 games by a rash of injuries. He battled groin problems all season, which forced him to play only every other day when he was not on the disabled list.

Even with the addition of Crawford, and with Jacoby Ellsbury likely to man center again, the Red Sox could have good use for Cam. With right fielder J.D. Drew struggling horribly against lefties, Terry Francona could choose to platoon Drew with Cameron, a right-handed hitter in right field. Cameron has some familiarity with the position, having played there for 500 innings in 2005 with the New York Mets.

Cameron has been known to be a great leader, and could also fill the role of mentor to the 29-year old Crawford and 27-year old Ellsbury, similar to that of Jason Varitek, who was likely brought back in part to mentor Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Cameron is caught in the Mike Lowell stage, as he will likely take a spot on the bench and will see limited action at the most. But he's certainly a guy that is worth rooting for this season.

Tweet Comment 25 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

An expensive luxury to have.

Wish we could deal him, and give this role to McDonald.

!!!!! GONZO !!!!!
!!!!! CRAWFORD !!!!!
!!!!! LIVERPOOL !!!!!

by gizmosandy on Dec 12, 2010 4:57 PM EST reply actions

McDonald

Unless there is a free agent or trade candidate that can better fill the role, I think he’ll slot in as a 5th outfielder and pinch hitter. Although not my first choice, he could also be a candidate to platoon with Oritz.

by mg050369 on Dec 12, 2010 5:31 PM EST up reply actions

Pinch runner

Pinch runner rather than pinch hitter.

by mg050369 on Dec 12, 2010 5:35 PM EST up reply actions

Pinch hitter too.

Especially against some of the tough lefty relievers that are going to be brought in.

by ThePanda on Dec 12, 2010 6:50 PM EST up reply actions

I'm fine keeping him.

I’m really quite disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to see what he could do last year.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard

by Bloggy on Dec 12, 2010 5:03 PM EST reply actions

I'm ok with keeping him

if any deal he was involved with the Red Sox would have to pay more than 50% of what he is owed.

I’d imagine that would be the case, but I am not sure.

!!!!! GONZO !!!!!
!!!!! CRAWFORD !!!!!
!!!!! LIVERPOOL !!!!!

by gizmosandy on Dec 12, 2010 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

Me too.

Great fit all over and can play all three OF spots.

www.bullpenbanter.com
twitter: @alskor

by alskor on Dec 12, 2010 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

Oh well, can't win 'em all

by Sean O on Dec 12, 2010 5:12 PM EST reply actions

No big surprise here

More than what I would normally pay for a 4th outfielder but he’s a sunk cost and still serves a valuable role on the team. Hopefully everyone stays healthy, he gets no more than 50 starts, mashes against lefties and brings his outstanding D.

by mg050369 on Dec 12, 2010 5:25 PM EST reply actions

Still would rather see him starting in Center than Ells.

I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation

by TheLoneDavid on Dec 12, 2010 5:28 PM EST reply actions

This.

Twitter | "Almost every organization has a guy like Papelbon or Lester" - Dave Cameron 12/29/2005

by radiohix on Dec 12, 2010 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

He will against Lefties...

by SoxAcumen on Dec 12, 2010 6:11 PM EST up reply actions

Oh whoop de do

I want him to be the starting center fielder, full time.

I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation

by TheLoneDavid on Dec 12, 2010 6:15 PM EST up reply actions

It's a shame that the Red Sox fans didn't have the privilege to see a full season of a healthy Cameron

‘Cause the dude can flat out play: With him and (hopefully Scutaro); We’ll have also the best bench depth in MLB!

Twitter | "Almost every organization has a guy like Papelbon or Lester" - Dave Cameron 12/29/2005

by radiohix on Dec 12, 2010 6:30 PM EST up reply actions

+1

Cameron is/was one of the best center fielders in the game right now, even at age 37

I'm a 7 WAR player in bed.
Official Baker of Red Sox Nation

by TheLoneDavid on Dec 12, 2010 7:03 PM EST up reply actions

+1

by mmmmm on Dec 13, 2010 6:46 PM EST up reply actions

It's no privilege

by Sean O on Dec 13, 2010 8:30 PM EST up reply actions

Is Marcus Thames a FA?

!!!!! GONZO !!!!!
!!!!! CRAWFORD !!!!!
!!!!! LIVERPOOL !!!!!

by gizmosandy on Dec 12, 2010 7:36 PM EST reply actions

Yes and he crushes LHP

But he’s a terrible fielder (remember that game in NY when he dropped that lazy fly ball?) You just can’t tie your hands by having 2 DHs on your roster, So I’ll pass.

Twitter | "Almost every organization has a guy like Papelbon or Lester" - Dave Cameron 12/29/2005

by radiohix on Dec 12, 2010 7:44 PM EST up reply actions

And he can't play third base

by Smoooth Criminal on Dec 12, 2010 8:38 PM EST up reply actions

is that something we need?

by wolf9309 on Dec 13, 2010 9:33 AM EST up reply actions

No it was a joke

he played an inning of third base with the Yankees last season. Made a nice stop and air mailed the throw. I say we don’t need him like radiohix.

by Smoooth Criminal on Dec 13, 2010 7:47 PM EST up reply actions

oh heh i missed that

by wolf9309 on Dec 13, 2010 8:48 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think Mike Lowell is a good comparison

Lowell (last year) was a terrible defender, so could only really DH. In the field, he also backed up two of our best hitters, and batted from the same side as them. In contrast, Cameron should be healthy and thus a great defender at any position, and all 4 of the players he can spell (including giving Crawford a day off every once in a while) hit from the opposite side as Cameron.

I think he’s going to be quite useful.

by Ben Hall on Dec 12, 2010 10:19 PM EST reply actions

This

Agreed. Even if they went out and got rid of Cameron they would basically go look to replace him with someone of a similar skill set. RH bat with good defense in the OF. Macdonald could come up but will probably come up as a fifth OF if needed. Cameron can play CF of course, RF as the original posts suggests and if Crawford needs a day he can slide over to LF, or move Ells over for a game and have him in Center.

Given how bad Drew and Ortiz are against lefties, they need a RH bat. I doubt they’ll find the OF they want with a good RH bat and good defense for that much less than the 7-8 million they’ll pay Cameron. They also would have a tough time finding both attributes as well as a guy with his attitude and leadership.

by The Name is Dalton on Dec 13, 2010 10:46 AM EST up reply actions