Cameron trade talks off

Kat O'Brien from Newsday spoke to Brewers GM Doug Melvin about the Mike Cameron trade talks. He didn't seem too optimistic about getting something done.

"Nothing new. At this point, I don't anticipate it's something that we would (do). ... I haven't talked to Brian (Cashman) since last week."

Melvin said they had originally looked at moving Cameron to gain some flexibility on the pitching front but that is no longer such a need.

Said Melvin: "I like Mike Cameron a lot. He means a lot in our clubhouse. He's a very positive presence. He's a good player. He's played on a lot of playoff teams -- maybe more than anybody. He's got a lot of intangibles. (A trade is) not something that we're pushing at this time."

Good think I didn't make a hat for Cameron yet.

The Yankees have devoted much of their time since the Winter Meetings to finalizing the contracts of their pitching acquisitions. They have also been making a push for Manny Ramirez's services. It's not surprising Brian Cashman hasn't talked to Melvin in a week.

Both pitchers take physicals

A.J. Burnett took his physical yesterday, and CC Sabathia's physical was scheduled for today, according to George King.

As a result, the Yankees have scheduled a 1 p.m. news conference on Thursday. There is a chance both could be introduced at the same time, but King's source said those plans weren't finalized.

At the end of this article, there is a quote from a Yankees source regarding the stalled Mike Cameron trade. "It's not dead but it might not get done," the source said.

Kepner's latest on Cameron

Tyler Kepner posted his latest update on the Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera trade.

In talking to some people involved today, I get the feeling the Yankees are backing away from a potential Melky Cabrera-for-Mike Cameron trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, at least for now. There’s a deal the teams could make, and while I’m not sure of the particulars, at this point the Yankees’ main question is baseball-related, not financial.

We know they do not value Cameron at $10 million, which is why they wanted the Brewers to include some money — or take on Kei Igawa — to make the deal happen. Now that a fair deal seems to be in place, the question is whether it makes baseball sense.

I’m not sure it does. If the Yankees add Cameron, he would bat in the bottom third of the order. Presumably, Nick Swisher will be there, too. Those two hitters are good for a combined 300 strikeouts a season.

Good news. The more I think about this trade, the Yankees are better off not going through with it, even if it means getting rid of both Cabrera and Kei Igawa.

Kepner also doesn't expect anything regarding Manny Ramirez soon.

Trade talks expected to 'intensify'

George King is reporting that trade talks between the Yankees and Brewers regarding Mike Cameron and Melky Cabrera are expected to intensify tomorrow. Whatever that means.

Apparently the Brewers don't mind Kei Igawa, but they don't want to pay him. Seems reasonable enough.

I still don't see the need for this trade. If the Yankees are looking to upgrade their offense, Cameron isn't exactly the answer.

Latest on Tex, Manny, Cameron, CC and A.J.

George King (I'm still refusing to call him George A. King III) had a bunch of news items spaced out over two articles today.

In the first piece, CC Sabathia is expected in town tomorrow, will take his physical Tuesday and could be formally introduced as early as Wednesday. According to A.J. Burnett's agent, there has been no date set for his physical.

Later, King writes that Kei Igawa's salary has been the latest hold up in the long rumored Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera trade. Igawa makes $4 million per year, so they don't want to spend that after saving Cameron's $10-million salary. The Yankees have told the Brewers that no pitchers on their 40-man roster are available, so that's why they're settled on the enigmatic lefty. The Brewers asked for Phil Coke, Mark Melancon and Jose Veras, but the Yankees quickly shot that down. King says both sides expect to get the deal done eventually.

I hope they don't.

Now, his second article - Yankee-related news regarding Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez.

According to several baseball officials, the Yankees New York Yankees remain in the Mark Teixeira hunt. But the same connected voices insist if the Yankees don't land the switch-hitting first baseman, they will turn their money toward controversial slugger Manny Ramirez.

"If they can't get Teixeira, they are right there on Manny," an official with knowledge of the Yankees' plan said yesterday.

Imagine getting Teixeira or Ramirez after already signing Sabathia and Burnett? Teixeira has already received an eight-year, $160 million offer from the Angels, so he probably won't get an offer from the Yankees, but according to King, the Yankees "are likely" to offer Ramirez three years at $20 million per.

That would be $59.5 million tied up in free agents, and we're not even talking about Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera. But the Yankees were given a lot of money to spend. No matter what, it still sounds like a lot, and it's fascinating to see how much the organizational philosophy has changed after a down year.

Time to think offense

With the latest signing, the Yankees have spent $243.5 million this off-season on two contracts, both belonging to pitchers. While the pitching was bad last year, hitting was also an issue. The Yankees scored almost 200 less runs in 2008 than they did the previous year.

As it stands, two players who scored 168 of those runs last year will be gone. Those two players, of course, are Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu.

At 34, Abreu hit .296/.371/.471 with 20 home runs, 100 RBI and 100 runs scored in 684 plate appearances. Giambi hit .247 with 32 home runs and 96 RBI. Both players had an OPS over .800.

Earlier this off-season, the Yankees refused to offer both arbitration, even though Abreu had Type A free-agent status, meaning they won't get two draft picks if he signs elsewhere.

The question is, should the Yankees think about bringing back Abreu or Giambi? The outfield and DH spots are congested, so there may not be room, but the Yankees need a bat. The lineup is lacking as of now.

Despite spending all of that money already, the Yankees have a lot of to play around with.

I hope Brian Cashman is thinking here, because I don't think Nick Swisher and (possibly) Mike Cameron will cut it. It's great that the rotation has been upgraded, but there are two sides to the game of baseball.

By the way, Mark Teixeira is still available. Imagine the uproar around baseball if the Yankees sign him to go along with CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett? There is money to be spent...

Cameron trade could happen, but nothing imminent

Kat O'Brien has the latest news on the proposed Mike Cameron trade. The trade could happen, according to Brewers GM Doug Melvin, but nothing is imminent, and he hasn't spoken to Brian Cashman since they both left Las Vegas yesterday.

"Right now there's nothing," Melvin said. " ... I think people get ahead of themselves a little bit, which happens at the winter meetings. I would hope to talk to (Cashman) and see if we can work something out. There's still a possibility."

Melvin also cleared the air about the money issue, saying the fact that the Yankees asked for some money in return "didn't bother me."

I will continue to update this news as well as anything that happens with A.J. Burnett as soon as I hear it, so keep checking in.

Cameron trade a 'strong possibility'

Much can change in six hours.

According to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy, Brewers GM Doug Melvin said there is a "strong possibility" of the Mike Cameron/Melky Cabrera trade happening, maybe even as early as tomorrow.

Melvin said the financial hurdles have been resolved, but didn't get into specifics. Earlier reports today said the Brewers were insulted by the Yankees asking for money to offset Cameron's $10-million 2009 salary.

Stay tuned.

And with that, the Winter Meetings come to a close

With the Rule 5 draft coming to a close, the 2008 Winter Meetings have also come to a close. The Yankees lost six players, Reegie Corona, Zach Kroenke, Jason Jones, Ivan Nova, Andres Santos (Triple-A phase) and Josue Selenes (Triple-A phase).

I'd just like to give a big, huge THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by this week. I had one of my biggest days in terms of page views yesterday, and I'm very appreciative. Those who have been here before, thanks for continuing to check in. And those who joined us for the first time, I hope you enjoyed your stay and keep coming back!

I will continue to track the latest on A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe and Mike Cameron. The latest I've seen regarding Cameron is that the Brewers don't want to give the Yankees any money after watching them sign CC Sabathia for $161 million. Completely understandable, if I do say so myself.

Cameron trade may not get done

According to Ken Rosenthal, the rumored Mike Cameron trade may not get done.

The Yankees will need to have a change of heart for it to happen, one source familiar with the discussion said.

The Brewers are asking for a second player in addition to Melky Cabrera. The Yankees want the Brewers to pay a portion of Cameron's $10 million salary.

Milwaukee is not inclined to fulfill that request at a time when the Yankees are on the verge of paying over $200 million for pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.

If this trade doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world. It may even be a good thing.

While I'd love to ship Cabrera out of town, they don't have to force things. The Yankees still have Brett Gardner, after all.

Feinsand: Yanks to trade for Cameron [Updated]

Update - 10:50 a.m.: Jon Heyman is reporting the Yankees are asking the Brewers to offset a part of Cameron's 2009 salary.


Update - 10:15 a.m.: Joel Sherman says the deal is close, but not done.


Mark Feinsand, citing two sources, says the Yankees will trade Melky Cabrera to Milwaukee for Mike Cameron.

Cameron batted .243/.331/.477 in 508 plate appearances with 25 home runs and 70 RBI. While those numbers don't exactly stand out, they are much better than anything Cabrera did or probably will do in the future. Cameron is also a very high strikeout guy, averaging 158 over a 162-game season, but has also won three Gold Gloves out of center field.

In only about 50 less plate appearances last year, Cabrera batted .249/.301/.341.

Contract wise, Cameron has $10 million coming to him this season, as a result of Milwaukee picking up his club option on Nov. 3. After that he's a free agent.

I'll have more details as they break, but what are you early thoughts on this proposed deal?

Melky et al. for Cameron?

According to The Post's Joel Sherman and George King, the Brewers could be interested in trading CF Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera. The Brewers have asked around as to why Cabrera was so awful last year, and the Yankees would be willing to trade him and pitching for the Brewers' outfielder.

The writers suggest that Wilson Betemit could also be involved, but don't name a potential pitcher. Cameron's $10 million option was picked up by the Brewers earlier this week.

Cameron, a three-time Gold Glove winner in center field, would help shore up the Yankees defense. However, he is a strikeout machine - think Adam Dunn with half the amount of walks, and thus, a much lower OPS. He batted .243/.331/.477 in 508 plate appearances last season.

If the trade is Cabrera, Betemit and a mediocre pitcher, I'd have to do the trade, simply because getting anything back for Cabrera at this point would be a victory. However, the Brewers need pitching, and I'm not sure they'd accept a mediocre pitcher in return.

Yankosphere: January 4

• Tyler Kepner reports that payroll is still an issue in the debate to acquire Johan Santana. He would cost an extra $56 million in luxury tax if he signs a seven-year, $140 million extension. Also, for some reason, Alex Rodriguez is endorsing Mike Cameron if Melky Cabrera gets traded. [The New York Times]
• Bryan Hoch will break down each Yankee position on a weekly basis. This week, he did a piece on catchers. [Yankees.com]
• Hoch also talked about Goose Gossage's Hall of Fame chances this year. [Yankees.com]
• Maureen, the Yankees Chick, is Peter Abraham's first guest blogger today. [LoHud Yankees Blog]

Today has been pretty quiet so far. I'll be here if anything comes out.