"40 in 40" - A Look at the Roster: Cameron, Mike

by BobZupcic on Dec 23, 2010 9:11 AM EST

Name: Cameron, Mike

Position: Outfiielder

Bats: Right

Throws: Right

Uniform #: 23

Age (4/1/11): 38

Size: 6' 2" 205 lbs

Acquired: Signed as a FA, Dec 2009

Contract: $7,250,000 (FA in 2012)

Comments: 2010 was pretty much a lost season for Cameron (180 PA). Projected to be a starter in CF for the 2010 season, Cameron went down with an injury early, tried a comeback and was shut down completely in July. Cameron has been one of the more underrrated players over his career. He doesn't post high Batting Averages, hit tons of homers or steal tons of bases, but he is above-average at all of he game's aspects. Since 1997, Cameron has posted 8 seasons of 4+ WAR on the back of an above-average bat and an excellent glove. He's been a 20/20 player 5 times.

Career Stats

PAs: 7615

BA: 0.250

OBP: 0.340

SLG: 0.447

OPS: 0.787

wOBA: 0.346

wRC+: 113

HR/SB: 269/296

Unique Stat: Only 5 AL players have hit 4 homers in one game and Mike Cameron is one of them. On May 2nd of 2002, Cameron hit 4 solo homers to post a 5-4-4-4 line at Chicago's Comiskey Park.

Analysis: Going into the 2011 season Cameron is slotted as the 4th outfielder. He will likely get more appearances than a normal 4th due to J.D. Drew's inability to hit lefties and the likelyhood that he will need rest during the season. Cameron can move around the outfield and play all three spots very well. He clobbers lefties and will probably be in the starting lineup against them. Hopefully the Sox faithful will get an opportunity to see Cameron over a full season before he moves on.

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4th OF playing mostly just against lefties is a perfect position for him

I never liked Cameron as the starting CF last year, I just don’t think at his age he can produce like when he was younger. But a 4th/Utility OF, maybe even platooning with JD Drew, he should do fine.

However, he is a 4th OF making 7.5 mil this year I’m just saying.

by LesterJohn on Dec 23, 2010 1:38 PM EST reply actions

in 2009 he was the 4th best CF in all of Baseball at age 36

))<>((

by German Red Sox Fan on Dec 26, 2010 8:20 PM EST up reply actions

Buying A Team

When Red Sox go down you can just buy other overpaid underperforming players to fill in, no problem. They fit in perfect in Boston.

by BaseballGuru2 on Dec 23, 2010 4:47 PM EST reply actions

Thank you for your insightful post

by BobZupcic on Dec 23, 2010 6:14 PM EST up reply actions

And that's not true.

How many good free agents are available in June, when these injuries happen?

by revived0103 on Dec 23, 2010 6:30 PM EST up reply actions

And now we know why they call you the Guru.

Wonderful comments like this.

I can only imagine how brilliant BaseballGuru1 is.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard

by Bloggy on Dec 23, 2010 9:24 PM EST up reply actions

I think he's one of those Ray-necks

that knows absolutely nothing about baseball, but he does know that the Red Sox have a larger payroll than the Rays. It took me years to grasp that concept, but it seems that the guru has figured it out in what looks like only one day. Pure genius.

embrace the martian
Twitter: @BoldandBrash

by BoldandBrash on Dec 23, 2010 9:32 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I clicked on the Lowell article after reading this

The good thing is, he’ll be easy to find if he ever needs to be taught a lesson.

He’ll be the only one in the stands.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard

by Bloggy on Dec 24, 2010 8:38 AM EST up reply actions

I hope to see some more of Cameron this year

I was really looking forward to seeing what he could do last year. Hopefully, he’ll get some decent playing time.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard

by Bloggy on Dec 24, 2010 8:44 AM EST reply actions

+1

I was really excited for our outfield last year. More excited this year though! I’m sure we’ll see plenty of Cameron, and hopefully he’s all recovered and back to the great player he is.

by wolf9309 on Dec 24, 2010 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

Cam will get plenty time

Play against LHP, can pitch hit for Drew/Ortiz. And Drew will get days off here and there.

by Pl1166 on Dec 25, 2010 11:19 AM EST reply actions

I just want to state again that Cameron should be starting.

He may be 38, but he is a workout fiend, probably in better shape than anyone else on the team.

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

by TheLoneDavid on Dec 25, 2010 4:03 PM EST reply actions

possibly in better shape than the rest of the team

possibly in worse shape since he’s just had to take it easy on his body for the better part of a year. Hard to make these assessments without actually seeing and talking to the player.

by wolf9309 on Dec 26, 2010 12:34 AM EST up reply actions

Sure,

still doesn’t mean he’s any good. Which he isn’t.

by Sean O on Dec 26, 2010 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

I'm sorry, but this is just ridiculous.

Cameron’s been one of the best center fielders in the game for his entire career.

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

by TheLoneDavid on Dec 26, 2010 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

Well, hell

Willie Mays was pretty great too, why not pay him $9m to stand out there now?

by Sean O on Dec 26, 2010 12:03 PM EST up reply actions

I read

that in 2009 he was the 4th best CF in all of baseball.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard

by Bloggy on Dec 26, 2010 10:13 PM EST up reply actions

+1

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

by TheLoneDavid on Dec 27, 2010 9:42 AM EST up reply actions

+1

My point exactly. Even if he was the 4th best CF in 2009, the dropoff in production from age 36 to 38 is incredible. Plus the dropoff in physical endurance, which wouldn’t allow Cam to play 120+ games.

Don’t get me wrong, as I mentioned earlier, I think Cam will do very well as a righty bat off the bench.

But at some point, 9 mil for a 38 year old is ridiculous. Well said, Sean.

by LesterJohn on Dec 28, 2010 2:10 AM EST up reply actions

Not really well-said at all.

Cameron was a phenomenal center fielder in 2009. He got a non-age-related injury in 2010. He is known to be one of the most in-shape players in the sport despite his age.

Comparing an old guy to a dead guy isn’t a well-worded rebuttal. It’s flippant and closed-minded.

9 million dollars for a 38 year old who plays like a 30 year old isn’t ridiculous at all. Hopefully, he can get back to that.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard

by Bloggy on Dec 28, 2010 8:42 AM EST up reply actions

Precisely

I know plenty of 38-39 year old guys….from guys who can run iron-man triathalons to those who can barely lift themselves from the couch…..

by BobZupcic on Dec 28, 2010 9:19 AM EST up reply actions

Hell, for that matter

I know 60 year old guys who can run iron man triathalons and still have the energy to go cut wood before dinner.

Yeah, those guys are beastly, it’s scary.

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

by TheLoneDavid on Dec 28, 2010 7:04 PM EST up reply actions

Why have a aging (in shape or not) CF 9MM

guy that is probably gonna retire in the next year, sitting on the bench when you can have a young outfielder getting some crucial at bats and who is probably take over RF when JD Drew walks next season? Ryan Kalish of course….

"I don't put any foreign substances on the baseball. Everything I use is from the good old U.S.A."

JVSM

Pedroya Lova

by Dustin's #1 Fan on Dec 29, 2010 3:59 PM EST up reply actions