January 11, 2008
Like Mike
Buster Olney reports the Brewers reached an agreement with Mike Cameron.
Cameron will presumably play center field for the Brewers, who have reportedly spoken with Bill Hall, the team's center fielder last year, about moving to third base. If that happens, Ryan Braun would shift from third base to left field.
This makes good defensive sense. Braun was terrible at third in 2007, and Bill was pretty bad in centerfield.
The long-term concern is blocking Matt LaPorta, but that's a nice problem to have; someone could improve their D, or someone's bat could implode, or someone could get traded.
In any event, this looks like a fine move for 2008, and is probably a non-issue for 2009; if LaPorta crushes AA-pitching in 2008, they can always ditch Cameron and go with an all-offense lineup if they wish.
Matt LaPorta will play 1B once Prince leaves as a free-agent (or is traded). I don't think there is any way the Brewers will be able to afford Scott Boras' asking price.
Hall can't play CF or SS so give 3B a try. It would be hard to be worse than Braun - but there's no guarantee Braun can play LF either.
