Biographical

Portrait of Mike Cameron

Mike Cameron CFMariners

Mariners Player Cards | Mariners Team Audit | Mariners Depth Chart

Career Summary
Years PA AVG OBP SLG DRC+ WARP
20 7884 .249 .338 .444 105 39.8
Birth Date1-8-1973
Height6' 2"
Weight210 lbs
Age51 years, 3 months, 15 days
BatsR
ThrowsR
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

YEAR TEAM AGE G PA H 2B 3B HR BB SO HBP SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ DRAA BRR FRAA BWARP
1995 CHA 22 28 44 7 2 0 1 3 15 0 0 0 .184 .244 .316 62 -2.0 0.1 0.7 0.0
1996 CHA 23 11 12 1 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 1 .091 .167 .091 67 -0.5 0.0 -0.7 -0.1
1997 CHA 24 116 446 98 18 3 14 55 105 5 23 2 .259 .356 .433 108 6.1 0.7 6.5 2.6
1998 CHA 25 141 443 83 16 5 8 37 101 6 27 11 .210 .285 .336 67 -17.5 2.6 3.1 0.1
1999 CIN 26 146 636 139 34 9 21 80 145 6 38 12 .256 .357 .469 105 7.6 4.3 4.1 3.3
2000 SEA 27 155 643 145 28 4 19 78 133 9 24 7 .267 .365 .438 108 11.0 4.1 8.5 4.3
2001 SEA 28 150 633 144 30 5 25 69 155 10 34 5 .267 .353 .480 124 22.2 1.1 3.3 4.6
2002 SEA 29 158 640 130 26 5 25 79 176 7 31 8 .239 .340 .442 111 11.5 -0.4 -1.4 3.0
2003 SEA 30 147 612 135 31 5 18 70 137 5 17 7 .253 .344 .431 113 12.2 2.8 22.9 5.6
2004 NYN 31 140 562 114 30 1 30 57 143 8 22 6 .231 .319 .479 108 6.4 3.0 9.3 3.6
2005 NYN 32 76 343 84 23 2 12 29 85 4 13 1 .273 .342 .477 104 1.9 -0.5 0.2 0.8
2006 SDN 33 141 634 148 34 9 22 71 142 6 25 9 .268 .355 .482 112 12.6 -1.9 5.3 3.6
2007 SDN 34 151 651 138 33 6 21 67 160 8 18 5 .242 .328 .431 100 2.6 4.1 -5.3 2.2
2008 MIL 35 120 508 108 25 2 25 54 142 6 17 5 .243 .331 .477 107 5.6 0.6 -2.2 2.0
2009 MIL 36 149 628 136 32 3 24 75 156 4 7 3 .250 .342 .452 104 4.7 -1.3 5.0 2.8
2010 BOS 37 48 180 42 11 0 4 14 44 3 0 1 .259 .328 .401 99 0.1 0.0 0.6 0.6
2011 BOS 38 33 105 14 2 0 3 8 25 0 0 0 .149 .212 .266 91 -0.9 0.2 -0.2 0.1
2011 FLO 38 45 164 34 8 0 6 20 34 0 1 0 .238 .331 .420 93 -1.0 1.2 0.3 0.6
Career1955788417003835927886719018729783.249.338.44410582.520.960.239.8

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G PA oppAVG oppOBP oppSLG BABIP BPF BRAA repLVL POS_ADJ DRC+ DRC+ SD FRAA BRR DRAA BWARP
1992 SBN A MDW 35 132 .000 .000 .000 .316 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1992 UTI A- NYP 28 100 .000 .000 .000 .367 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1993 SBN A MDW 122 451 .000 .000 .000 .314 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1994 PRW A+ CRL 131 538 .000 .000 .000 .303 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1995 CHA MLB AL 28 44 .271 .348 .425 .273 98 -2 1.3 -0.4 62 18 0.7 0.1 -2.0 0.0
1995 BIR AA SOU 107 419 .000 .000 .000 .317 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1996 CHA MLB AL 11 12 .298 .360 .481 .125 100 -2.2 0.4 0 67 12 -0.7 0.0 -0.5 -0.1
1996 BIR AA SOU 123 563 .000 .000 .000 .344 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1997 CHA MLB AL 116 446 .272 .340 .430 .317 96 7.1 12.3 0.6 108 8 6.5 0.7 6.1 2.6
1997 NAS AAA AA 0 141 .000 .000 .000 .325 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1998 CHA MLB AL 141 443 .268 .335 .426 .259 101 -20.1 12.1 1.1 67 9 3.1 2.6 -17.5 0.1
1999 CIN MLB NL 146 636 .270 .340 .432 .311 101 10.7 17.3 1.8 105 9 4.1 4.3 7.6 3.3
2000 SEA MLB AL 155 643 .274 .344 .438 .317 84 24.9 20.3 1.8 108 10 8.5 4.1 11.0 4.3
2001 SEA MLB AL 150 633 .268 .332 .428 .319 95 21.4 18.9 1.6 124 8 3.3 1.1 22.2 4.6
2002 SEA MLB AL 158 640 .264 .331 .423 .301 94 15.5 18.4 1.7 111 7 -1.4 -0.4 11.5 3.0
2003 SEA MLB AL 147 612 .266 .332 .426 .307 98 9.4 16.7 1.6 113 10 22.9 2.8 12.2 5.6
2004 NYN MLB NL 140 562 .265 .328 .428 .260 93 9.5 16.7 1.5 108 9 9.3 3.0 6.4 3.6
2005 NYN MLB NL 76 343 .267 .330 .422 .340 94 12.5 9.9 -3.1 104 8 0.2 -0.5 1.9 0.8
2005 SLU A+ FSL 4 15 .262 .320 .449 .429 95 2.7 0.2 -0.1 125 0 -0.8 0.3 1.3 0.1
2005 NOR AAA INT 2 10 .321 .369 .513 .500 91 1.4 0.3 -0.1 83 0 -0.2 0.1 -0.2 0.0
2006 SDN MLB NL 141 634 .269 .333 .431 .321 85 36.6 19.1 1.7 112 7 5.3 -1.9 12.6 3.6
2006 LEL A+ CLF 2 7 .000 .000 .000 .500 0.0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2007 SDN MLB NL 151 651 .268 .333 .425 .298 88 11.7 19.3 1.7 100 8 -5.3 4.1 2.6 2.2
2008 MIL MLB NL 120 508 .262 .329 .418 .296 100 10.3 14.7 1.3 107 10 -2.2 0.6 5.6 2.0
2008 NAS AAA PCL 4 18 .276 .348 .431 .200 102 2.9 0.6 0.1 85 0 0.0 0.0 -0.5 0.0
2009 MIL MLB NL 149 628 .261 .330 .415 .304 98 8.9 18.1 1.6 104 9 5.0 -1.3 4.7 2.8
2010 BOS MLB AL 48 180 .254 .317 .403 .330 109 -0.7 5.0 0.4 99 9 0.6 0.0 0.1 0.6
2010 PME AA EAS 3 13 .248 .324 .380 .429 116 2 0.4 0 127 0 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.1
2010 PAW AAA INT 5 19 .249 .319 .371 .333 86 2.2 0.6 -0.2 133 0 1.8 0.3 0.7 0.3
2011 BOS MLB AL 33 105 .261 .322 .400 .162 109 -9 2.8 -0.9 91 10 -0.2 0.2 -0.9 0.1
2011 FLO MLB NL 45 164 .253 .315 .389 .272 94 2.1 4.4 0.4 93 10 0.3 1.2 -1.0 0.6

Statistics For All Levels

Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
Year Team lvl LG PA AB R H 2B 3B HR TB RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG ISO SF SH
1992 UTI A- NYP 100 87 15 24 1 4 2 39 12 11 26 3 7 .276 .354 .448 .172 1 1
1992 SBN A MDW 132 114 19 26 8 1 1 39 9 10 37 2 3 .228 .305 .342 .114 3 3
1993 SBN A MDW 451 411 52 98 14 5 0 122 30 27 101 19 10 .238 .294 .297 .058 2 2
1994 PRW A+ CRL 538 468 86 116 15 17 6 183 48 60 101 22 10 .248 .342 .391 .143 2 2
1995 BIR AA SOU 419 350 64 87 20 5 11 150 60 54 104 21 12 .249 .354 .429 .180 5 5
1995 CHA MLB AL 44 38 4 7 2 0 1 12 2 3 15 0 0 .184 .244 .316 .132 0 3
1996 CHA MLB AL 12 11 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 0 1 .091 .167 .091 .000 0 0
1996 BIR AA SOU 563 473 120 142 34 12 28 284 77 71 117 39 15 .300 .403 .600 .300 3 3
1997 NAS AAA AA 141 120 21 33 7 3 6 64 17 18 31 4 2 .275 .383 .533 .258 0 0
1997 CHA MLB AL 446 379 63 98 18 3 14 164 55 55 105 23 2 .259 .356 .433 .174 5 2
1998 CHA MLB AL 443 396 53 83 16 5 8 133 43 37 101 27 11 .210 .285 .336 .126 3 1
1999 CIN MLB NL 636 542 93 139 34 9 21 254 66 80 145 38 12 .256 .357 .469 .212 3 5
2000 SEA MLB AL 643 543 96 145 28 4 19 238 78 78 133 24 7 .267 .365 .438 .171 6 7
2001 SEA MLB AL 633 540 99 144 30 5 25 259 110 69 155 34 5 .267 .353 .480 .213 13 1
2002 SEA MLB AL 640 545 84 130 26 5 25 241 80 79 176 31 8 .239 .340 .442 .204 5 4
2003 SEA MLB AL 612 534 74 135 31 5 18 230 76 70 137 17 7 .253 .344 .431 .178 2 1
2004 NYN MLB NL 562 493 76 114 30 1 30 236 76 57 143 22 6 .231 .319 .479 .247 3 1
2005 SLU A+ FSL 15 10 3 3 2 0 0 5 0 3 3 0 0 .300 .533 .500 .200 0 0
2005 NYN MLB NL 343 308 47 84 23 2 12 147 39 29 85 13 1 .273 .342 .477 .205 1 1
2005 NOR AAA INT 10 7 2 2 0 1 0 4 2 3 3 0 0 .286 .500 .571 .286 0 0
2006 SDN MLB NL 634 552 88 148 34 9 22 266 83 71 142 25 9 .268 .355 .482 .214 5 0
2006 LEL A+ CLF 7 6 1 2 1 0 0 3 1 1 2 0 0 .333 .429 .500 .167 0 0
2007 SDN MLB NL 651 571 88 138 33 6 21 246 78 67 160 18 5 .242 .328 .431 .189 3 2
2008 MIL MLB NL 508 444 69 108 25 2 25 212 70 54 142 17 5 .243 .331 .477 .234 3 1
2008 NAS AAA PCL 18 15 4 3 0 0 1 6 2 3 4 0 0 .200 .333 .400 .200 0 0
2009 MIL MLB NL 628 544 78 136 32 3 24 246 70 75 156 7 3 .250 .342 .452 .202 5 0
2010 BOS MLB AL 180 162 24 42 11 0 4 65 15 14 44 0 1 .259 .328 .401 .142 1 0
2010 PME AA EAS 13 13 4 5 2 0 2 13 3 0 4 0 0 .385 .385 1.000 .615 0 0
2010 PAW AAA INT 19 14 3 4 1 0 1 8 3 4 4 0 0 .286 .444 .571 .286 0 0
2011 BOS MLB AL 105 94 9 14 2 0 3 25 9 8 25 0 0 .149 .212 .266 .117 2 1
2011 FLO MLB NL 164 143 18 34 8 0 6 60 18 20 34 1 0 .238 .331 .420 .182 0 1

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr% CSAA
2008 2046 0.5108 0.4057 0.7349 0.5856 0.2178 0.8154 0.5092 0.2651 -0.0012
2009 2448 0.5118 0.4020 0.7419 0.5842 0.2109 0.8156 0.5278 0.2581 0.0020
2010 684 0.5439 0.4269 0.7363 0.5887 0.2340 0.8082 0.5205 0.2637 -0.0011
2011 1099 0.5150 0.3949 0.7719 0.5883 0.1895 0.8318 0.5743 0.2281 -0.0030
Career62770.51550.40470.74430.58590.21190.81760.52910.2557-0.0003

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2011-09-07 2011-09-12 DTD 5 4 Right Thigh Soreness Hamstring - -
2011-08-11 2011-08-14 DTD 3 2 Right Knee Soreness - -
2011-08-06 2011-08-06 DTD 0 0 Left Wrist Sprain Diving Catch - -
2011-03-04 2011-03-10 Camp 6 0 Left Knee Inflammation Tendonitis -
2010-07-31 2010-10-04 60-DL 65 59 Bilateral Surgery Double Sports Hernia and Adductor Release 2010-08-27
2010-07-11 2010-07-15 DTD 4 1 Right Wrist Contusion HBP -
2010-07-04 2010-07-05 DTD 1 1 - Abdomen Soreness - -
2010-07-01 2010-07-03 DTD 2 1 Abdomen Soreness -
2010-06-27 2010-06-29 DTD 2 1 - Abdomen Soreness - -
2010-06-07 2010-06-08 DTD 1 1 - Abdomen Soreness - -
2010-05-31 2010-06-06 DTD 6 5 Left Abdomen Soreness -
2010-04-19 2010-05-25 15-DL 36 34 Bilateral Sports Hernia -
2010-04-15 2010-04-16 DTD 1 1 Right General Medical Illness Genitourinary -
2010-02-27 2010-03-05 Camp 6 0 Left Groin Soreness -
2009-10-04 2009-10-05 DTD 1 1 Head Concussion Diving for Ball -
2009-09-06 2009-09-11 DTD 5 4 Right Thigh Strain Hamstring -
2009-06-02 2009-06-03 DTD 1 1 Left Knee Soreness -
2009-03-10 2009-03-16 Camp 6 0 Left Trunk Strain Rib Cage -
2008-09-06 2008-09-08 DTD 2 2 Left Knee Soreness -
2008-06-19 2008-06-23 DTD 4 4 Right Sprain Big Toe -
2007-09-24 2007-10-01 DTD 7 7 Right Thumb Sprain Ligament and Volar Plate -
2007-09-16 2007-09-17 DTD 1 1 Left Knee Soreness -
2007-06-16 2007-06-17 DTD 1 1 Left Forearm Contusion - -
2007-06-09 2007-06-09 DTD 0 0 Left Wrist Contusion -
2007-06-02 2007-06-02 DTD 0 0 - Thigh Tightness Hamstring - -
2007-03-26 2007-04-03 Camp 8 0 Right Thigh Strain Hamstring -
2006-10-01 2006-10-01 DTD 0 0 - Wrist Soreness - -
2006-09-14 2006-09-14 DTD 0 0 Left Knee Contusion - -
2006-07-27 2006-07-27 DTD 0 0 Knee Contusion Sliding -
2006-05-07 2006-05-08 DTD 1 1 General Medical Respiratory Flu -
2006-03-24 2006-04-23 15-DL 30 17 Left Abdomen Strain Oblique -
2005-08-12 2005-08-12 On-Alr 0 0 Head Concussion Player Collision While Fielding -
2005-08-12 2005-10-03 60-DL 52 48 Face Surgery Multiple Fractures From Player Collision In Field 2005-08-12
2005-07-03 2005-07-03 DTD 0 0 Right Knee Contusion HBP -
2005-06-14 2005-06-14 On-Alr 0 0 Left Fingers Dislocation Ring Finger - -
2005-06-13 2005-06-22 DTD 9 7 Right Thigh Strain Quadriceps -
2005-06-06 2005-06-07 DTD 1 0 Right Thigh Tightness Quadriceps - -
2005-04-01 2005-05-05 15-DL 34 28 Left Wrist Inflammation Tendonitis with Cortisone on April 2 -
2004-12-17 2004-12-17 Off 0 0 Left Wrist Surgery Cartilage 2004-12-17
2004-09-29 2004-10-02 DTD 3 2 Left Wrist Soreness - -
2004-09-25 2004-09-26 DTD 1 1 Left Wrist Soreness - -
2004-09-22 2004-09-23 DTD 1 1 Left Wrist Sprain -
2004-08-29 2004-09-07 DTD 9 8 General Medical Illness Virus -
2004-07-01 2004-07-01 On-Alr 0 0 Groin Soreness -
2004-07-01 2004-07-05 DTD 4 4 Knee Soreness -
2004-06-02 2004-06-02 DTD 0 0 Right Fingers Strain Pinkie Finger From May 4 -
2004-05-30 2004-05-31 DTD 1 1 Shoulder Contusion Player Collision -
2004-05-19 2004-05-19 DTD 0 0 Right Fingers Sprain Little Finger Ligament Tear -
2004-05-06 2004-05-08 DTD 2 2 Right Hand Sprain Little Finger Sliding -
2004-04-25 2004-04-27 DTD 2 1 Right Thigh Soreness Hamstring -
2004-04-15 2004-04-15 DTD 0 0 Right Thigh Tightness - -
2004-02-23 2004-02-26 Camp 3 0 Right Bone Spur Big Toe -
2003-12-17 2003-12-17 Off 0 0 Left Wrist Surgery Cartilage 2003-12-17 -
2003-08-14 2003-08-20 DTD 6 5 Left Groin Strain -
2003-04-24 2003-04-30 DTD 6 5 Right Groin Strain -
2003-03-27 2003-03-30 Camp 3 0 Left Knee Hyperextension - -
2002-04-18 2002-04-20 DTD 2 1 - General Medical Illness - -
2002-03-14 2002-03-18 Camp 4 0 - Low Back Spasms - -
2001-08-16 2001-08-17 DTD 1 1 - Knee Tendonitis Patellar Tendonitis - -
2001-06-06 2001-06-12 DTD 6 4 Left Knee Sprain MCL - -
2001-05-09 2001-05-11 DTD 2 2 Right Knee Contusion Running Into Wall - -
2001-04-18 2001-04-18 DTD 0 0 - Neck Stiffness - -
2000-07-06 2000-07-08 DTD 2 2 Left Knee Stiffness - -
2000-04-27 2000-04-29 DTD 2 1 Left Fingers Recovery From Previous Injury Sprain Ring Finger Sliding - -
2000-04-26 2000-04-26 DTD 0 0 Left Fingers Sprain Ring Finger Sliding - -
2000-04-22 2000-04-23 DTD 1 1 Left Knee Contusion Foul Ball - -
2000-04-19 2000-04-21 DTD 2 1 - Knee Hyperextension - -
1999-10-03 1999-10-04 DTD 1 1 - Thigh Strain Hamstring - -
1999-08-28 1999-09-07 DTD 10 9 Left Thigh Strain Hamstring - -
1999-07-03 1999-07-03 DTD 0 0 - Hip Contusion - -
1998-04-16 1998-04-21 DTD 5 4 Left Thigh Strain Quadriceps - -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2011 BOS $7,750,000
2010 BOS $7,750,000
2009 MIL $10,000,000
2008 MIL $7,000,000
2007 SDN $7,000,000
2006 SDN $6,000,000
2005 NYN $6,000,000
2004 NYN $4,000,000
2003 SEA $7,000,000
2002 SEA $4,666,667
2001 SEA $3,416,667
2000 SEA $2,225,000
YearsDescriptionSalary
12 yrPrevious$72,808,334
12 yrTotal$72,808,334

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
15 y 31 dMike Nicotera1 year (2012)

Details
  • 1 year (2012). Signed by Washington as a free agent 12/19/11 (minor-league contract). Retired 2/19/12.
  • 2 year/$15.5M (2010-11). Signed by Boston as a free agent 12/16/09. $1M signing bonus. 10:$7.25M, 11:$7.25M. Acquired by Florida in trade 7/5/11 after being DFA by Boston 6/30/11 (Marlins to pay pro-rated ML minimum, with Red Sox picking up balance of 2011 salary). Released by Florida 9/13/11.
  • 1 year/$7M (2008), plus 2009 club option. Signed by Milwaukee as a free agent 1/11/08. $1.5M signing bonus. 08:$5M, 09:$10M club option, $0.75M buyout. Performance bonuses: $0.75M/year based on PAs. Limited no-trade protection. Milwaukee exercised 2009 club option 11/3/08.
  • 3 years/$19.5M (2004-06), plus 2007 club option. $3M signing bonus, 04:$4M, 05:$6M, 06:$6M, 07:$7M club option, $0.5M buyout. Award bonus: $50,000 for Gold Glove. Acquired in trade from NY Mets 11/05. San Diego exercised 2007 option 10/06.
  • 3 year/$15.5 (2001-03). $1.25M signing bonus. 01:$3M, 02:$4.25M, 03:$7M.

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG DRC+ VORP FRAA WARP
Weighted Mean???????00??.000.000.00000.0?0.0

BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

Click here to see articles tagged with Mike Cameron

BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2017-03-16 13:00:00 (link to chat)Which of the following "can't miss" guys has the best season in 2017? Byron Buxton Andrew Benetendi Dylan Bundy
(John from CT)
Benintendi, Buxton, Bundy is my order. Buxton is, increasingly, a high floor but less sexy ceiling guy for me. More Mike Cameron than Mike Trout. (Matthew Trueblood)
2016-06-21 20:00:00 (link to chat)Where do you foresee Clint Frazier ranking next year on prospect lists? And what do you currently see his ceiling as?
(Cory from Ohio)
Frazier should be pretty high on prospect lists next year. He was anywhere from # 23 to # 72 on the most popular lists this year, and I'd guess is range would be something like # 13 - # 60 on those same lists next year. The fantasy upside for me looks a lot like peak Mike Cameron if he puts it all together: some power, some steals, some walks. Frazier has a little more AVG upside and a little less SB upside than peak Cameron. (Scooter Hotz)
2016-02-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Speaking on Buxton, Is it reasonable to expect something like early career Mike Cameron with a bit more speed?
(Matt from Cambridge)
Sure. I think which way his bat goes is hard to say. I'm so enamored of the glove and speed, though, that I'm fine with several versions of it. (Matthew Trueblood)
2015-04-06 20:15:00 (link to chat)Which player best personifies my favorite sandwich, the muffuletta? Also, if Mike Trout were a sandwich, what would he be?
(Nick from Los Angeles)
I'll go with Mike Cameron. Just tremendous all-around tools and still a really good player, but brought down several notches by one fatal flaw (hit tool/olive salad).

Mike Trout, ironically enough, is a Cuban. (Craig Goldstein)
2015-04-13 15:00:00 (link to chat)Am I crazy for imagining Mike Cameron as the pretty much everything breaks right comp for Michael A. Taylor?
(Sean from Washington DC)
From my main man Craij (yes, I like utilizing my friends at BP via gchat or text, so sue me): Crazy? No. But I'd stay away from comps in general. Let's let Michael A. Taylor be Michael A. Taylor. He's got a common enough name that he gets confused for enough people as is. (Sahadev Sharma)
2015-02-06 13:00:00 (link to chat)How valuable a real-life asset do you see Springer being for Houston over the next few years? With the defense likely rebounding and the power/discipline ideally making up for the low contact rates, can he be a 5 WAR CF? Mike Cameron is a comp I've heard.
(Chipshot212 from MA)
I can see that, he's got great tools. We've got him peaking at 4 last I checked (that may be revised shortly, don't take that to the bank) but 5 is not out of reach. (Harry Pavlidis)
2014-07-07 11:00:00 (link to chat)Michael Taylor's starting to look like our CF of the future. Is he a Mike Cameron clone?
(Jeffy from DC)
I really like Taylor. Huge tool collection that lacked much utility or consistency. Still some questions about the stick and how it ends up playing but I love the progress he has made. Big talent. (Jason Parks on the Top 50)
2014-02-13 13:00:00 (link to chat)Curious on HS player....and thoughts on Daz Cameron? Elite due to pedigree?
(Lou from DC)
Lou is talking about Mike Cameron's oldest son, Dazmon, a center fielder who won't be eligible until next draft. We're 16 months away, but he's the trendy pick to go first overall in 2015 due to his impressive set of tools and instincts. He has the chance to be really, really good and looks the part of an elite amateur prospect right now. (R.J. Anderson)
2012-02-23 11:00:00 (link to chat)Read recently that Chris Young was dinged all last season. Do you see him having a potential career year coming or is he a 'what you see is what you get' player?
(LoyalRoyal from Kansas)
I think Young has established himself as a low batting average guy with good secondary skills. The fact that he has learned to draw a few walks helps. With his mix of offensive skills and defensive prowess in center field, he'll provide value but not necessarily be appreciated for it. Kind of like Mike Cameron, only not as good as Cammy. (Geoff Young)
2012-02-23 11:00:00 (link to chat)What kind of player do you see Maybin becoming? Does he start hitting for more pop and become Mike Cameron, keep the ball on the ground and become Devon White, or does he become a mystery comp?
(Ria from The floor)
Maybin is a bit of a mystery. I'd expected more power, but he doesn't have a lot of loft in his swing. I still think his overall game compares well to that of Cameron, although as is the case with everyone about whom that is said, he isn't as good as Cammy. Still, I really like Maybin. He also, and take this for whatever it's worth, appears to love the game. It's easy to watch and root for him. (Geoff Young)
2011-02-08 14:00:00 (link to chat)Ken -- love PECOTA but I need a quick primer on how to use the player comparisons. If Joe Blow is compared to, say, Reggie Jackson that's good, right? But if the arrow next to Jackson's name is red and pointing down, that's bad, right? Would I rather have a red-arrow Jackson or a green-arrow Mike Cameron? A quick tutorial would be useful.
(PadresOnTop from San Diego)
I expect the data guys will be putting something like this out soon, but the short answer (as far as I understand it) is that having the green arrow is the more important thing for that year's projection. (Ken Funck)
2010-12-20 13:00:00 (link to chat)I am still not sure whether I should keep holding on to Cameron Maybin.What are the odds that he becomes Mike Cameron at best ?
(Spirou from Montreal)
Not seeing it. He still hasn't learned how to run routes in the outfield and Mike Cameron was a defensive beast. Maybin might grow into the offense of Cameron, but the defense ain't happening. (Eric Seidman)
2010-11-16 13:00:00 (link to chat)Loving the Padres trade for Maybin. He's strikes me as a Mike Cameron type player, I'll take one of those for 2 middle relievers anytime.
(formersd from San Diego)
Admit it--you're Marc Normandin. But yes, I agree. Amazing to see how far the stock of the two centerpieces of the Miguel Cabrera trade have fallen. But hey, there's always Burke Badenhop, right? (Ben Lindbergh)
2010-11-16 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hey now, that wasn't me with that Padre question. And Maybin could be Mike Cameron, but he could also be nothing. Which is less appealing. It is two back-end relievers though--and two the Padres can replace with players they already have on hand--so you do that deal every time.
(Marc Normandin from Dracut, MA)
Rumor has it the Padres are pretty good at finding cheap, effective relievers. But what does this mean for the future of Thin Gwynn? (Ben Lindbergh)
2010-08-24 14:30:00 (link to chat)Do you think that some of the Red Sox injuries were predictable...I mean, c'mon Mike Cameron isn't going to be healthy for a whole year.
(bchacker from ashram)
The only time Cameron failed to make over 600 plate appearances in the last four seasons was the result of a suspension. Injury prediction is an inexact science (though I gather that the Red Sox have made it as scientific as anyone else), but I don't see why Cameron should have been expected to fall apart immediately. (Ben Lindbergh)
2010-08-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)After an abysmal first half, Josh Reddick has been on fire since the break -- 368/396/647 -- is it time for Boston to give him another look?
(Nick from Allston, MA)
He'll get a call in September, and given Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury are both out of commission, he'll get some at-bats. Ryan Kalish passed him on the depth charts and prospect lists this year, but as Boston reminded us this year, there's no such thing as too much depth, and they are as curious as we are as to what they have in Reddick. (Marc Normandin)
2010-07-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)Combined career all-star appearances for Brandon Wood, Andy Marte, and Cameron Maybin, 0.5, Over or Under?
(Karen from NY)
Now there's a depressing thought. I never thought Brandon Wood's approach would translate to the majors--I've been harping on this for five years or so, seriously--but I also didn't think he'd tank *this* hard. Cameron Maybin's ceiling seems to have quickly fallen from "Eric Davis, maybe?" to "Mike Cameron, maybe?" to "Let's just keep our current outfield out there for now". Such an odd situation. (Marc Normandin)
2010-05-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)Marc, I need some serious help. I thought I drafted really well with a bunch of 4 and 5 star guys, but here I sit in 12th place. I have Kinsler back and Wright and Teixeira seem to be turning things around, but Justin Upton, Brett Anderson, Bucholtz and Kershaw have been disappointments and Ianetta, Jurrjens, Javi Vazquez and Scherzer have been awful. There trade value is non-existent to low. Time to cut bait on any of them?
(DanDaMan from 12th Place)
DanDaMan, it's been just over a month. Here's my take on fantasy: you get frustrated before you get worried. I try to be very patient, because if you get rid of a player that you had that much faith in just weeks ago based on a small sample, then you're going to regret it later far more often than not.

I'm currently in a super-deep AL-only league where you need five outfielders--three of mine were Jack Cust, Mike Cameron and Rick Ankiel. I'm panicking a little more in that league just because there are literally no replacements (the best available OF on waivers has 8 at-bats), but in all of my others that have bad things going on (injuries, early struggles, etc.) I'm just waiting it out. Don't panic. (Marc Normandin)
2010-02-05 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is this the year for Cameron Maybin's breakout?
(Scott from NJ)
I say he turns it on by June, but what's his ceiling these days? Are we still looking at Eric Davis, or is he Mike Cameron? (Marc Normandin)
2010-01-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)Thanks for the chat. Do you think Cameron Maybin will finally realize his potential this year? if so, what is that potential? 10hr/50rbi/15sb reasonable to expect?
(Fish Fan from Florida)
I think he's capable of being Mike Cameron once he puts things together, but I think I'm also lower on him than most. Maybe a poor man's Cameron is a good comp for the 2010 Cameron.

That sentence is confusing out of context. (Marc Normandin)
2009-12-15 14:00:00 (link to chat)Thanks for the chat, Christina. You are one of the reasons I just re-upped my subscription for another year. Are you of the opinion, like your colleague Mr. Sheehan, that the Red Sox signing of John Lackey is a precursor to a trade for some offensive centerpiece? If possible please include at least one reference to a historical event over 200 years old in your answer. Thanks!
(mattymatty2000 from Philly, PA)
Thanks for your support mattymatty, definitely appreciated. I have to think that there's every reason to believe they'll deal pitching for offense, in part because the pitchers out there now seem attached to various risks (Sheets, Bedard, Smoltz, Wang, Washburn) or because they're just not seen as tremendous front-end types (Marquis, Pineiro, Washburn, Wang). If you decide the bids on Jason Bay are too rich for your blood, and you want to go after a better bat at either infield corner and maybe left (if the Mike Cameron thing doesn't work out), my sense is that the only better bargaining chip to have beyond well-regarded starters would be a shortstop prospect. (Christina Kahrl)
2009-12-15 14:00:00 (link to chat)Why no talk of the Red Sox installing Mike Cameron in Fenway's spacious RF and moving JD Drew to LF? Cameron's arm too weak?
(TheGreenMiles from Arlington, VA)
I guess this is where I put on Kevin Goldstein's kangol for a moment and remind people that players aren't Strat cards. Cameron's a tremendous center fielder; you can bet he expects to play center. And you want to ask J.D. Drew, the Meissen man, to go play under the Monster? It's neat to ponder, but I just don't see anyone making this pitch, let alone this sale. (Christina Kahrl)
2009-12-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)Ok, the Cubs are going to dump Milton Bradley. But which of these three outfields would help the cubs win more games? Option 1 : Soriano, Mike Cameron, Fukudome Option 2: Soriano, Fukudome, Pat Burrell Option 3: Soriano, Fukudome, Bradley Am I wrong to think it's 3? I just think the cubs under Jim Hendry overreact to last year, and overreact to media criticism. And I'd like the Ricketts regime to start by flipping off the media/fanbase and keeping Bradley. It would be a healthy thing. Or am I just crazy?
(Mike from Chicago)
It's 1. Huge defensive difference, and Bradley can't hit, field and stay healthy all at once, so you end up with Bobby Scales in the outfield. Setting aside any and all non-baseball issues, Bradley is a lousy fit for an NL team. (Joe Sheehan)
2009-12-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)How much do you think Mike Cameron, Jim Thome, and Nick Johnson will sign for?
(David from Sonoma State University, CA)
Cameron for two and $22, Johnson for two and $18, Thome...I think will retire. (Joe Sheehan)
2009-12-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)Thoughts on the Granderson deal? Prefer three years of Granderson to two-years of Mike Cameron? What do you think the Yankees' next moves should be regarding LF/DH? Thanks!
(Eli from Brooklyn)
Yeah, that's a big age difference and actually less expensive over the next two seasons. Cameron carries some risk, as just about any loss in contact rate is going to eat his career. I suspect the Yankees, who have solved CF without moving the 2010 payroll at all, will still look for second-tier solutions that don't involved committing 2011 money.

Given the backscratch trade that just happened for Bruney, I wonder if the Yankees could get Adam Dunn; he'd be a good fit DHing mostly but also playing some left field, with Cabrera and Gardner both available to caddy, costs just $10M and is a free agent after '10. (Joe Sheehan)
2009-12-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)Is Granderson really that much of a better option than Mike Cameron for a year plus Austin Jackson's pre-arb years?
(wgobetz from jersey city, nj)
Austin Jackson isn't that good. Not enough glove to play CF, not enough bat to play a corner. Melky without the defense, if you prefer. (Joe Sheehan)
2009-12-09 13:00:00 (link to chat)Any chance the Yanks sign Cameron to help out against lefties. Neither Granderson nor Melky has a good platoon split from that side. Thanx.
(pweiss from MD)
I'm not sure that you sign Mike Cameron to be a platoon player, and I'm certain Cameron isn't going to sign into that situation. (Joe Sheehan)
2009-12-01 13:00:00 (link to chat)Would it make for the Yankees to let Hideki and Damon leave and try to pick up Cameron and Nick Johnson to replace them?
(adambulldog from Spring Green)
If I told you that I hated putting Mike Cameron on my list of top power free agents just because I knew a team like NY might think it's a good idea to sign him, would that answer your question? (Marc Normandin)
2009-11-17 14:00:00 (link to chat)For Donovan Tate, worst case scenerio: Mike Cameron, best case scenerio: Andruw Jones? Somewhere in between?
(andy from san diego)
Best case might be even better than that, but worst case is not even getting out of the minors. Basically the range is about 10 times what you have here. Crazy athlete, crazy raw. (Kevin Goldstein)
2009-11-17 14:00:00 (link to chat)Who has been the answer to more comps questions in the last 5 years - Mike Cameron or Tom Glavine?
(Mario66 from Toronto)
How about the most MISUSED comp -- Jamie Moyer. Every lefty with crap stuff and good numbers gets a Moyer comp (NOT by scouts). It's never accurate. (Kevin Goldstein)
2009-11-09 12:00:00 (link to chat)What's this year's market inefficiency? Last year it was an uneven economy that scared most teams off the big free agents and created a donut hole. Before that, defense, which was exploited by the Rays and Mariners.
(Michael from New Orleans)
It's still probably defense. Read Dave Cameron's piece on Mike Cameron vs. Jason Bay today. There are still lots of guys who are vastly underrated b/c most of their value comes from defense. (Shawn Hoffman)
2009-10-02 14:00:00 (link to chat)Is there any chance that Adam Jones ends up better than Mike Cameron, because that's who he looks like to me... decent, but not a star.
(Wendy from Madrid)
The performance is distributed differently, but I think if Adam Jones had Mike Cameron's career he'd be pretty happy. That's a hell of a career. (Joe Sheehan)
2009-06-08 14:00:00 (link to chat)Any thoughts on Chris B. Young's complete demise? Atkins I understand, but Young? What gives? Is his ceiling at this point Mike Cameron?
(tommybones from brooklyn)
I was clinging to the hope that the managerial change would help. He's been worse under Hinch. I truly don't know. We may have--no, I may have--just not seen something. Then again, he has an 1100 OPS since Friday, so maybe there's hope. (Joe Sheehan)
2009-05-07 14:00:00 (link to chat)Greg Halman leads AA with 10 HRs, but is striking out in about 40% of his PAs. His best comp is Pedro Cerrano, right? Will he ever learn to hit the offspeed stuff, or is it time to really reduce his ceiling because of those Ks?
(sjstraub from (NJ))
I'm starting to wonder how off a Mike Cameron comp might be. (Kevin Goldstein)
2009-04-13 14:00:00 (link to chat)Brett Gardner's bat has cooled off considerably since spring training, but more alarming are the balls he's not getting to in the outfield. Great speed, but some bad routes. How long before the Mike Cameron rumors start again?
(Rich from NJ)
In addition to losing perspective based on a few regular season games, I think you're making a big mistake to take his spring, particularly his early spring, at face value. He's a stopgap, and I'm on the more skeptical end of the spectrum when it comes to his ability to hold the job down.

While the rumor mill may start up, I don't think Cameron's headed the Yankees' way anytime soon. Maybe at the deadline if the Brewers are out of it, or if the Yankees dangle a nice pitcher. (Jay Jaffe)
2008-11-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)Why is everyone ready to give up on Weeks at 2B when he finally showed improvement? Every defensive metric I can find shows him as roughly average last year. I watched the majority of the Brewer games and in the first half I would have said he was at least average defensively, he did slip a bit in the second half though. If Weeks can't handle 2B then there are at least 7 or 8 other full time 2B that should be moved as well. Durham was MUCH worse out there than Weeks, if the ball wasn't hit right to Durham he didn't get to it.
(EnderCN from Milwaukee)
Because his offense isn't developing, and there's a notion--one I can get behind--that he's stagnating as a player in part because of his inability to master second base. He seems to have the tools to play center field, the Brewers could use a CF*, and maybe the move would get his bat started again. The parallels to B.J. Upton are pretty clear.

*The Brewers exercised Mike Cameron's option. I still think you could run Weeks out to center and look for a trade with Cameron or Hart. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-11-03 13:30:00 (link to chat)Do you agree with the Brewers decision to pick up Mike Cameron's $10 million option for this season? He was exactly what they expected but he is slowing down in the OF and is going to be 36. Putting up that kind of money on a team that needs SP badly with a relatively smaller budget just doesn't seem very sound.
(Matt from UW)
Yeah, I have to agree, Matt, this wasn't really the best investment given the team's more significant needs in other areas. If this team doesn't address its holes in the rotation, they're also-rans, and I'd rather they found a third baseman than keep winging it. (Christina Kahrl)
2008-11-03 13:30:00 (link to chat)Luis Castillo for Mike Cameron ... allows Weeks to move to CF, gives the Mets another couple of years to find a corner OF ... (of course, we have to figure out if Daniel Murphy can hack it at 2B this Winter)
(dianagramr from NYC)
Good point, Diane, except that Cameron's not really an asset in a corner. I was sort of counting on Murphy/Tatis to man one corner, and then no rely too heavily on Ryan Church. Obviously, position-relative value-wise, Murphy might make a lovely hitter for a second baseman, but for every Jeff Kent who actually transcended low expectations for his defense, you've got a legion of guys whose glove work doesn't hack it. Castillo might be the lesser evil the Mets just have to endure because, like Schneider, he was more valuable to Omar Minaya than he is to several billion other people. (Christina Kahrl)
2008-09-16 13:00:00 (link to chat)Maybe I'm mistaken on contract situation, but would the Yankees bite on Mike Cameron for next year?
(jlebeck66 from WI)
The Brewskies have an option on Cameron. I wouldn't put any free agent beyond the Yankees as they go through the inevitable counter-reaction to this year's "youth movement." (Steven Goldman)
2008-06-20 13:30:00 (link to chat)Do you think Chris B Young will eventually hit for a respectable average (.270)? He seems to have major contact issues right now, but on a positive note, his walk rate has increased.
(Tim from Glendale)
Lots of Chris Young questions. This is why the Mike Cameron comps were so prevalent. Some guys can strike out this much and be Eric Davis, but more just can't get the BA up high enough to be that valuable. His strikeout rate will improve, and he will hit for a higher average; it just may be that he never bats .300, so he won't be a superstar. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-05-09 14:00:00 (link to chat)The Padres offense was fourth best last season in the NL on the road. What happened? It can't just be Mike Cameron. How soon before SD blows it all up and starts over.
(dcoonce from bloomington indiana)
Well, it wasn't just Cameron, there just isn't a lot of star potential there. Remember, they're still committed to Giles, who has a limited upside at this point. Bard's not got a lot of sock. They let Bradley go away (understandably, perhaps) and learned the obvious, that Hairston doesn't cut it. Kouzmanoff's obviously very streaky, and that comes with bad as well as good. Khalil Greene doesn't get on base. Iguchi is a declining commodity. It's not *that* surprising. (Christina Kahrl)
2008-04-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Cameron Maybin's K problems seem to be getting worse, not better. How concerning is this?
(Juan Duran from (Billings, MT))
It's concerning where you start to wonder if he's really just Mike Cameron in the end. I'm not convinced of that . . . yet. (Kevin Goldstein)
2008-04-15 13:00:00 (link to chat)Can you comment yet on Mike Cameron's therapeutic waiver application? I'll take failure to post this question as a no.
(Evan from Vancouver, BC)
I cannot.

I can however, give you Bryan Smith's take on college pitch counts: No, not significantly. Starting pitchers are not pitching more, college baseball is still a once-a-week activity for starting pitchers. What I think we'll see done, though, is the average IP for a freshman go way up if we ran the numbers -- coaches are just seeing far more demand to use an entire pitching staff. So what that will mean is in 2010, you'll have a host of pitchers with more innings on their arms than they might have had before the uniform start date. Rice's Wayne Graham is still going to throw his weekend starters 120 pitches per game, but the start date is not doing any more damage on those pitchers than it did a year ago.

Attrition for the back-end arms is the biggest consequence, to put it more succinctly. (Will Carroll)
2008-01-15 14:30:00 (link to chat)Opinions on the Pads outfield? Personally, I don't see how they can expect to get more than 120 games out of either Edmonds or Giles. Who do they have to fill the holes when they get injured? Headley? DaVanon? Doesn't it make sense for the Pads to sign someone like Brad Wilkerson to add some much needed depth?
(Travis from San Diego)
Hey there Travis. You don't think Giles will survive more than 120? Maybe my Giles-centric perception colors my thoughts.

Edmonds though, is an issue for playing time. I would love to see them go after Wilkerson on a cheap deal (that's all that exists this late in the game, right?) I do like seeing what Scott Hairston can do, but backup plans for backup plans can't hurt.

I will miss Mike Cameron out there, that's for sure. As long as I never see Brady Clark in center again, though it isn't his fault he was the closest thing to a centerfielder left on the roster. (Marc Normandin)
2008-01-15 14:30:00 (link to chat)How much do you see the acquisition of Mike Cameron and Ryan Braun's subsequent move to LF helping the Brewers?
(Marc from San Antonio)
It's going to be pretty significant I think. Braun's defensive problems were large enough that Tulowitzki could have taken home the Jackie Robinson Award with little complaint. Braun was dead last in Revised Zone Rating at third base, and was the only one to fall into the .500s. He also made only 21 plays out of the zone, which seems odd for an athletic player.

Cameron is a boost defensively even if he only plays average ball, and Hall is a fine infielder. Braun won't do as much damage in the corner, so it really depends on how everyone's bat holds up. Even without that though, this is a great move for Milwaukee. (Marc Normandin)
2008-01-15 14:30:00 (link to chat)How do you go about choosing your players for the profiles?
(Matt from SF, CA)
I end up thinking about the players far in advance usually, at least in season. This winter was tough because I wanted to cover free agents, but in case everyone missed it, this class sucked. I sift through lists of players, or check out who has been especially hot or cold as of late or for the season. BABIP plays a big part, as does the batted-ball data. Guys with a story beat those without, no matter how good someone may be. I went with Corey Patterson over Mike Cameron this past week for just that reason, since Patterson was a former #1 prospect who never got much better than that. (Marc Normandin)
2008-01-15 14:30:00 (link to chat)With all the talk of Mike Cameron in this Chat, what do you think of his $7M contract. With a Garenteed 25 missed games, do you think he was over/under paid for his talent, or did they hit the nail on the head dispite the suspension?
(ZTurgeon from Land of Milk and Honey)
I think it was a steal for the Brewers because of the shuffling they get to do defensively, even though he'll miss 25 games. It stinks for the Brewers that they won't have him around in April, but they may find some other useful pieces on the roster filling in for him during that time frame. Even with the reduction, they're improving by a few wins. (Marc Normandin)
2008-01-17 14:00:00 (link to chat)How much does Mike Cameron help the Brewers overall defense considering it gets Braun away from 3rd and Hall out of CF? Marginally? Leaps and bounds?
(Mark from Milwaukee)
Well, I sort of dealt with this a TA ago, but I really think there's a potential synergistic effect to be gained here. I can see Hall being a fine fix to their third base defensive hole, and Braun's a good enough athlete to be an asset in the outfield. And then there's having Cameron in center instead of an obviously uncomfortable Hall. It doesn't fix that still-ugly problem on the right side of the infield, nor does it breathe new life in Jason Kendall's ability to deter the running game, but it's a step in the right direction. (Christina Kahrl)
2008-01-10 13:00:00 (link to chat)Who do you like in CF for the Braves to start the season? IF they decide to go with in house options how much are they putting thier playoff hopes in jeopardy?
(basicslop from Albuquerque)
There's no good out-of-house options left, although I suppose they're one team that could wait a month for Mike Cameron to return. Gregor Blanco is a pumped-up fourth outfielder who wouldn't totally kill them.
Josh Anderson is the wrong answer, I know that much. (Joe Sheehan)


BP Roundtables

DateRoundtable NameComment
2008-10-02 11:00:00Thursday Playoff GamesA few ChiSox-related notes on Mike Cameron:

18th-round pick by the White Sox in 1991.

Traded to the Reds in 1998 for Paul Konerko

Traded to Seattle in 2000 as part of Ken Griffey Jr. deal (David Laurila)
2008-10-02 11:00:00Thursday Playoff GamesMike Cameron lets another ball go off his glove. He really seems to have lost a step in center field. He's 35 now, so that's understandable. (Caleb Peiffer)
 

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