Mike Cameron and Red Sox
An already important Monday for the Red Sox gained further steam in the evening, when information spread that the club is in important talks with veteran outfielder Mike Cameron.
Per the Associated Press, Boston has approved a tentative agreement on a two-year contract with Cameron, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The deal is subject to a physical, the person said on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not yet final.
7:58pm: The deal is in the range of $15.5MM for two years, tweets Ken Rosenthal.
7:53pm: Mike Cameron has agreed to sign a two-year deal with Boston, the AP reports.
6:38pm: It is “believed” that Cameron would play left field for the BoSox, with Jacoby Ellsbury in center and J.D. Drew in right, writes Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com. This would make recently-acquired Jeremy Hermida the team’s fourth outfielder.
The Cubs and Mariners both had interest in Cameron, but shied away for different reasons. The Cubbies were waiting on a taker for Milton Bradley while the M’s continue to focus on Jason Bay. The Braves also had interest, but it now it sounds as though Boston has the inside track.
Speaking of Bay, Crasnick wonders aloud (via Twitter) if this is the “final nail” in the free agent’s chances of returning to Fenway.
5:40pm: Free agent outfielder Mike Cameron is in “serious talks” with the Red Sox, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The two sides are reportedly discussing a two-year pact.
Rosenthal adds that it is unclear whether the BoSox would place Cameron in left field or center field.
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If the Red Sox are successful in signing mike, it further cements a development that has become all but certain in recent days — Jason Bay will not be returning.
Cameron, a right-handed hitter, could split time with lefty Jeremy Hermida in left. In fact, Cameron would likely serve as an all-purpose backup, allowing center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and right fielder J.D. Drew to get their share of rest.
The Red Sox — according to ESPN.com and FOXsports.com — have made significant process on a two-year deal with Cameron, who will turn 37 in January.
Cameron spent the last two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2009, he hit .250 with 24 homers and 70 RBIs.
A center fielder for most of his career, Cameron has always been a highly regarded defender. He is a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, most recently in 2006.
In 1,829 Major League games,Mike Cameron has a .250 average with 265 homers, 926 RBIs and a .340 on-base percentage. He has played for the White Sox, Reds, Mariners, Mets, Padres and Brewers. He has hit 20-plus homers eight times.
But he has also been known to strike out a lot, whiffing 130-plus times in 10 of the past 11 seasons.
