2008-2009 potential Free Agents

[HoustonGM]

The thing is... This Yankee lineup had terrible patience this past season, and Cameron just further adds to the problem there. I do think that Cameron could come here and bat .250, .320, .475, though, or somewhere near that (without looking up his previous stats)..

Cameron's got good patience - he draws 60-80 walks a year and sees roughly 4 pitches per plate appearance.

[FRENCHREDSOX]

The Brewers have a $10 million option for next year on him, which they've yet to pick up or decline, so it still remains to be seen if he's even going to be a free agent. However, if he is let go, I find it hard to believe that he'd settle for less than what he would've gotten under the option, unless he has no suitors whatsoever at that price, which is unlikely.


Cameron's better defensively at this point, and less of a injury-risk. I would sign Cameron for a year. I wouldn't touch Edmonds.

Melvin has stated that he will pick up the Cameron option for 2009 AFTER the World Series has ended,funnily his projected stats for next year are nice,if unexceptional (BA wise)

Name                     P  Age   AVG   OBP   SLG   G  AB   R   H 2B 3B HR RBI  BB   K SB CS RNG 

VERY GOOD
Mike Cameron             cf  36  .246  .333  .446 125 475  74 117 30  4 19  73  57 132 15  5  Av

You are totally right Cameron is a better player (mainly IMO due to defence & range) than Edmonds although based on 08 stats - .235/.343/.479 COMPARED to .243/.331/.477 they are pretty similar.

[HoustonGM]

Melvin has stated that he will pick up the Cameron option for 2009 AFTER the World Series has ended,funnily his projected stats for next year are nice,if unexceptional (BA wise) p

Where's the projection from?

You are totally right Cameron is a better player (mainly IMO due to defence & range) than Edmonds although based on 08 stats - .235/.343/.479 COMPARED to .243/.331/.477 they are pretty similar.

I'd say that the real reason Cameron's better, in addition to the defensive difference, is the difference in durability. Edmonds has played about 110 games/400 plate appearances per year the last 3 years, while Cameron has played 141/151/120, with PA numbers of 634/651/508.

[FRENCHREDSOX]

Where's the projection from?

here - note the monster seasons' predicted for Braun & Fielder

I'd say that the real reason Cameron's better, in addition to the defensive difference, is the difference in durability. Edmonds has played about 110 games/400 plate appearances per year the last 3 years, while Cameron has played 141/151/120, with PA numbers of 634/651/508.

That is a fact But Edmonds was 'playing hurt' & 2008 was (according to him before the season when he was still a Friar) the first offseason where he could rest & be fully healthy going into a season since 2004+.

IMO,Edmonds (like Griffey) are good fits for teams that want to "groom" a young CF who is not perceived as MLB ready - bit like Bruce last year or Jackson in NYY.

[koolzach1]

Cameron's got good patience - he draws 60-80 walks a year and sees roughly 4 pitches per plate appearance.

I didn't realize that he walked that much or saw that many pitches per plate appearance. The thing that I was mainly talking about is how much he strikes out... the Yanks already have a bunch of players who swing for the fences and K a lot. Though, I have to admit, now that I know he has good patience, I would be all for getting him (if he doesn't get his option picked up). We do need another HR threat outside of A-Rod.

[justanewguy]

Edmonds actually looked pretty good in the field last season... and seemed increasingly better as the season went on. I was surprised how well he played in center, and I'm pretty sure I put him on my GG ballot. A little skewed perhaps, because I saw a lot of Cub games, but he did a fine job.

Personally, if I were a GM I'd look at Edmonds just as much as Cameron, and probably more. The upside would be a lot higher, and he could probably be had for cheaper. Cameron might be a more solid choice, and you'd know what you're getting from him, but Edmonds has the potential to outplay Cameron by a wide margin.

[HoustonGM]

Personally, if I were a GM I'd look at Edmonds just as much as Cameron, and probably more. The upside would be a lot higher, and he could probably be had for cheaper. Cameron might be a more solid choice, and you'd know what you're getting from him, but Edmonds has the potential to outplay Cameron by a wide margin.

Nothing in the past couple years would lead me to believe that, unless you think his Cub performance represents a "return" to his previous levels.

[justanewguy]

Nothing in the past couple years would lead me to believe that, unless you think his Cub performance represents a "return" to his previous levels.

I believe it shows he's still capable of playing well. It certainly shows he's had a return from whatever hole he fell into in '07 and early '08.

Even if he returned to his 2006 form, he'd be roughly equal to Mike Cameron in terms of production.

And again, the upside would make it worth it to me. I'm not saying he's the Jim Edmonds of 2000-2004, I'm just saying he certainly has the potential to be a better performer than Cameron, and he will probably be cheaper.

[EVEN11323]

Well, Cameron will be staying with the Brewers, as they picked up his option.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3680365

[defense]

C.C. Sabathia-Yankees(willing to overpay for ace, sportwriters say Yankees are willing to pay 30-40% more than any other team. Doubt Sabathia will bypass that)
Mark Teixeira-Yankees(need a first baseman, and Cashman saying he wants a "real" first baseman. With Boras as his agent, one can assume Teixeira cares about money first and farmost, so this makes sense)
Manny Ramirez-Braves(have money to spend, and they need an upgrade in the outfield/offense)
Fransisco Rodriguez-Mets(have the money to spend, and their weakest point is the bullpen)
Rafael Furcal-Cardinals(looking for middle infield help this offseason)
Pat Burrell-Reds(their GM recently said they will be active this offseason, and I doubt they will be able to get the big guys like Tex'/Ramirez, so I see a Burrell to Reds signing)
Adam Dunn-Dodgers(will try to replace Ramriez with Dunn)
AJ Burnett-Orioles(has connections to Baltimore area, speculation will be that Orioles will be interested in him)
Derrek Lowe-Rangers(I don't see the Red Sox being interested in him with all their rotation locks, so I see the Rangers overpaying him to come to Arlington)
Raul Ibanez-Mets(need a leftfielder for next year, and with Rodriguez, I doubt they go all out on Ramirez)
Brian Fuentes-Cardinals(want lefty reliever)
Bobby Abreu-Cubs(needs another outfielder, but their payroll is so big already, they won't go for a big outfielder like Manny or Dunn)
Ben Sheets-Astros(want a number two behind Oswalt, but doesn't want to spend the big money on Sabathia. Sheets will be cheaper due to injury concern)
Milton Bradley-Rangers(back to Texas to DH)
Orlando Hudson-Royals(they will probably sign a "second teir" free agent or two, so I gave them Hudson since there isn't one obvious sutior for him)
Jason Giambi-Blue Jays(adds a bit of power into their lineup on a short contract)
Darren Oliver-Nationals(there will not be too many sutiors for him due to his type A status, but Nationals will sign him since their first rounder is protected)
Casey Blake-Indians(see him returning to his former team)
Rocco Baldelli-Royals(see them taking a chance on him)
Mike Cameron-Yankees(CF stop and gap for one year)
Mark Kotsay-Red Sox(back for another year)
Andy Pettitte-Yankees(back for another year)
Mike Mussina-Retirement


That's how I see the major free agents signing this offseason

I don't see the Red Sox doing much as their team is basically all set next year(rotation and bullpen are pretty good, and offsense has basically all positions set), and I don't see the Angels doing much either, despite losing Teixeira and Rodriguez

Tally so far

Right
3-Mussina, Sabathia, Rodriguez
Wrong
4-Blake, Oliver, Ibanez, Burnett,

[FRENCHREDSOX]

...and the Halos are just going to sit back and do nothing, or what?
I really don't get all of the speculation about Tex. Why would the Angels let another team grab him (barring a ridiculous offer, of course... and even then, I still wouldn't be so sure).

looks like you were wrong

[RedsoxRockies]

Yay! I did not want him back in LA. If he does not come to Boston, which seems will be the case, I want him in Washington. That would be interesting

[ohms_law]

We'll see...
Kendry Morales would be an OK stop-gap (and Ramirez would certainly be a good replacement). Everyone seems to be backing away from Tex right now though, and it wouldn't be the first time that rumors turned out to be incorrect. Need I remind anyone about the rumors surrounding Ramirez just a couple of months ago? I generally don't put any stock into rumors... as a matter of fact, I don't even read them unless posted here.

[FRENCHREDSOX]

We'll see...
Kendry Morales would be an OK stop-gap (and Ramirez would certainly be a good replacement). Everyone seems to be backing away from Tex right now though, and it wouldn't be the first time that rumors turned out to be incorrect. Need I remind anyone about the rumors surrounding Ramirez just a couple of months ago? I generally don't put any stock into rumors... as a matter of fact, I don't even read them unless posted here.

seems pretty substantiated in this case,no ? When the Angels' vice president of communications actually confirms.

[HoustonGM]

seems pretty substantiated in this case,no ? When the Angels' vice president of communications actually confirms.

You mean like how last year a high-up Yankee official confirmed that they would not pursue Alex Rodriguez if he opted out of his contract?