Mike Cameron

How much are the padres missing Mike Cameron right now? I own Cameron on a number of rosters this season, and while yes, the batting average is hard to swallow, Cameron is hitting homeruns, stealing bases, and basically producing in the other major categories. Unless of course, you play in a strikeout league.

During the Pre-Season, one of the buzz words is always 'cheap sources...'  Cheap sources of speed, power, so on and so forth.  In 2008, names like Bourn and Gomez were brought up for speed, while others such as Cust were regarded as cheap sources of power.  Now, most, if not all, of the players discussed as cheap sources of x, y, and z in the pre-season have been drafted or scooped up in competitive leagues, so the time has come to re-evaluate, and find new cheapies...

This is a Public Service Announcement:  "We are currently two (2) weeks into a twenty-six (26) week fantasy baseball regular season.  No, you are not out of it.  No, you should not start planning for next season.  No, you should not be scrambling to pluck Xavier Nady, Gabe Kapler, and Ángel Pagán from your Waiver Wire to replace your drafted OF of Magglio Ordóñez, Hunter Pence, and Brad Hawpe.  No, you shouldn't be picking up every single reliever who gets an odd Save Opportunity when the team's normal Closer is unavailable or taking a brief DL stint."

Just a couple of guys that I have added to my watch list during Week 2.

Apparently Jason Kendall has had an epiphany of sorts at age 34. At last check, Kendall was leading the league in batting average, and is getting on base at about a .450 clip. Now Kendall may not steal bases anymore, and he never really had a ton of pop in the first place, but it is possible for Jason Kendall to make up for it all with his stick anyways. He just needs to maintain some semblance of a .300 batting average this season and the Runs and RBIs will come to him in that lineup. Yes, Kendall is very capable of hitting .300, and a potential three category producer at catcher is nothing to ignore.

American League

OAKLAND ATHLETICS: Traded outfielder Mark Kotsay and cash considerations to Atlanta for pitcher Joey Devine and RHP Jamie Richmond. [discuss]

TEXAS RANGERS: Designated first baseman Chris Shelton

I really like what the Milwaukee Brewers are doing here with the 1 year deals. Gagne, Mota, Torres, Shouse, Kendall, Cameron. If it all goes bust, you aren't stuck with any long term commitments to aging vets.

Tim Sullivan of the SD Union Tribune takes a look at some of the center field option for the San Diego Padres.The usual names are bantered about, Andruw Jones, Aaron Rowand, and Mike Cameron. He also lists a few dark horses, like Scott Hairston or trading for Reggie Willits.

“My history of dealing with Scott Boras is that Andruw Jones is not going to happen any time soon,” Padres General Manager Kevin Towers said yesterday. “He knows we have interest in him ... but a lot depends on what other options we have.”

Well out of that list for center, the only real possibility would be Rowand or maybe Hunter. I cannot see Mike Cameron in a Ranger uniform, and I imagine Texas will want no part of Scott Boras when it comes to signing Andruw Jones. at least they shouldn't.

I figure Mike Cameron will be the first center fielder taken off the free agent market. His price will only go up once Torii Hunter and Andruw Jones are off the market. Figure GM's will go after Mike while the suspension is fresh in everybody's mind. Buy Low.

the Cubs are interested too.

What a coincidence this gets out just before he files for free agency! As for Cameron's statement, "it might have been something i took in relation to my broken nose", um that was two years ago. I also have to believe that SD will not be in any bidding for his services this winter.

Major League Baseball on Wednesday announced that outfielder Mike Cameron has received a 25-game suspension for testing positive for a banned stimulant.