Mike Cameron to Play Centerfield in 2010

[Imperial59]

"The thought being, Cameron has played center most of his career and he's got those long strides. Ells, kind of like [Rays' left fielder] Carl Crawford, has the short burst of speed and I think doing it like this, we're going to have a spectacular outfield."

 

-Francona

 

http://soxblog.projo.com/2010/01/ellsbury-will-p.html

 

It's official. It makes the most sense considering Cameron's had a UZR/150 of 10 or better in each of the last two years while Ellsbury struggled in center last year. He figures to be an above average LF though where's he been spectacular over a small sample size.

[BoSox21]

It makes sense. Fenway's LF plays right into Ellsbury's weak throwing arm too.

[Dojji]

So we're going max D.

 

Interesting. I can get behind that. Maybe playing the corners will allow Ellsbury to condition a bit more and add some power.

[BSN07]

So we're going max D.

 

Interesting. I can get behind that. Maybe playing the corners will allow Ellsbury to add some power.

 

What exactly did you think they were doing?

[bsox0407]

What exactly did you think they were doing?

 

One thing about him playing left is that he will have trouble cutting balls off towards the line and then throwing back towards the infield. He will have to turn his whole body and throw.

 

I like the move though.

[Keeper]

It's good that they announced this now rather than spring it on Ellsbury in ST or the beginning of the season. Let him come to terms with it and move on. It's for the good of the team. I'm sure he sees that.

[Dipre]

One thing about him playing left is that he will have trouble cutting balls off towards the line and then throwing back towards the infield. He will have to turn his whole body and throw.

 

I like the move though.

 

That has never been a problem for LH Left fielders. Think Johnny Damon.

[Dojji]

What exactly did you think they were doing?

 

Well, one alternative they had was simply playing Ellsbury in centerfield because it was important to the future of the franchise for him to learn how to handle it, or because he's more of an ideal CF than he is a corner infielder.

 

Ellsbury will definitely get at least a few starts in CF anyway, because Hermida doesn't play there very well and when he's in, Ells is the natural choice to move.

[Imperial59]

One thing about him playing left is that he will have trouble cutting balls off towards the line and then throwing back towards the infield. He will have to turn his whole body and throw.

 

I like the move though.

 

No different than him running to his left to cut off balls in right-center. It's a lot closer to the infield in left field than it is in right-center in Fenway though.

[RWTP24]

There is one problem here... Mike Cameron has always sucked (.250 avg. and a reasonable OBP). The only thing he has ever done well is play a little bit of D. I do not like them moving Ells because Ells is the future with the Sox. To me, it is telling him that maybe they do not trust him or something in CF. I really hope they do not piss Ells off because he will walk to another team when he becomes a FA.

 

All in all, I really do not see where Mike Cameron is going to make the Sox a better team. I think it was a stupid pick up.

[Dipre]

There is one problem here... Mike Cameron has always sucked (.250 avg. and a reasonable OBP). The only thing he has ever done well is play a little bit of D. I do not like them moving Ells because Ells is the future with the Sox. To me, it is telling him that maybe they do not trust him or something in CF. I really hope they do not piss Ells off because he will walk to another team when he becomes a FA.

 

All in all, I really do not see where Mike Cameron is going to make the Sox a better team. I think it was a stupid pick up.

 

He gets on base, hits for power and plays excellent D.

 

He makes the Sox a better team, and the stats back it up.

[BoSox21]

There is one problem here... Mike Cameron has always sucked (.250 avg. and a reasonable OBP). The only thing he has ever done well is play a little bit of D. I do not like them moving Ells because Ells is the future with the Sox. To me, it is telling him that maybe they do not trust him or something in CF. I really hope they do not piss Ells off because he will walk to another team when he becomes a FA.

 

All in all, I really do not see where Mike Cameron is going to make the Sox a better team. I think it was a stupid pick up.

 

I'm not big on Cameron but he does have solid power for a CF. And the last thing any FO should do is choose not hurting a player's feelings over what they feel is best for the team.

[Dipre]

I'm not big on Cameron but he does have solid power for a CF. And the last thing any FO should do is choose not hurting a player's feelings over what they feel is best for the team.

 

This. One Thousand Times.

[diony]

He gets on base, hits for power and plays excellent D.

 

He makes the Sox a better team, and the stats back it up.

 

A .340 career OBP is nothing special.

[Dipre]

A .340 career OBP is nothing special.

 

It's more special than trolling.

[RWTP24]

He gets on base, hits for power and plays excellent D.

 

He makes the Sox a better team, and the stats back it up.

 

 

Umm, you are dreaming if you think he is a good power hitter... He gets on base a little, nothing crazy. I stated that in my post. He has a reasonable OBP. Also he is old, I think 37 or something. It was a dumb move.

[RWTP24]

A .340 career OBP is nothing special.

 

Thank you!!!!!!!!!

[Dipre]

Thank you!!!!!!!!!

 

The average OF got on base at a .328 clip last year. Cameron's .342 OBP is obviously better than that. So it's above average.

 

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!! Baseballreference.com.

 

Do your own research.

[Dipre]

Umm' date=' you are dreaming if you think he is a good power hitter... He gets on base a little, nothing crazy. I stated that in my post. He has a reasonable OBP. Also he is old, I think 37 or something. It was a dumb move.[/quote']

 

Have you checked the stats, my good sir?

 

He averages 23 HR's, 30 HR's and 5 3B's per season in the Major Leagues. That is above average power.

 

You're entitled to your opinion, but they contradict the statistics, and stats are usually more accurate than someone's opinion. Specially if they don't like the player.

[RWTP24]

The average OF got on base at a .328 clip last year. Cameron's .342 OBP is obviously better than that. So it's above average.

 

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!! Baseballreference.com.

 

Do your own research.

 

Yes, that is funny.. Ells was better than that. The Sox do not need Cameron. They have a CF. They need someone like Bay or Halliday. Not Cameron.

[Dipre]

Yes' date=' that is funny.. Ells was better than that. The Sox do not need Cameron. They have a CF. They need someone like Bay or Halliday. Not Cameron.[/quote']

 

First off, it's Holliday, who just got a 120 million dollar deal from the Cards for seven years. That would have been a stupid move by the Red Sox. I was all for Holliday, but not for seven years guaranteed.

 

Bay got a 5 year/80 million contract from the Mets (the fifth year option will be very easy to vest). That would have been a stupid move by the Red Sox. I was all for Bay, but not for five years.

 

They got a good defensive CF because Ellsbury was horrible in the position last year.

 

There's a difference between what you want, and what is realistic and best for the team.

 

Think about it.

[soxfan17881]

Well' date=' one alternative they had was simply playing Ellsbury in centerfield because it was important to the future of the franchise for him to learn how to handle it, or because he's more of an ideal CF than he is a corner infielder.[/quote']

 

I think it'll work out, but I agree with this thought. I would've left Ells in CF.

[soxfan17881]

They got a good defensive CF because Ellsbury was horrible in the position last year.

 

Really? I thought he had like 1 error and got picked defensive player of the year?

[Dipre]

Really? I thought he had like 1 error and got picked defensive player of the year?

 

In all fairness,that award is meaningless because they use subjective methods of evaluation. Advanced defensive metrics show Ellsbury was a way below-average defender at CF last year, and the fact that the Sox want to move him to LF proves this theory.

[Imperial59]

The average OF got on base at a .328 clip last year. Cameron's .342 OBP is obviously better than that. So it's above average.

 

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!! Baseballreference.com.

 

Do your own research.

 

lol

 

Seriously though, Mike Cameron is one of the best overall CF in baseball. 29 CF had 400 AB or more last year and Mike Cameron ranked 8th in OPS among them. And among CF over the last 3 years, only BJ Upton has had a better UZR/150.

 

He had the 4th best WAR of all CF last year and the 6th best WAR of all CF the year before.

[Dipre]

lol

 

Seriously though, Mike Cameron is one of the best overall CF in baseball. 29 CF had 400 AB or more last year and Mike Cameron ranked 8th in OPS among them. And among CF over the last 3 years, only BJ Upton has had a better UZR/150.

 

He had the 4th best WAR of all CF last year and the 6th best WAR of all CF the year before.

 

He was a better value per WAR than Jason Bay last year. (Positional difference needs to be taken into account though)

[Imperial59]

He was a better value per WAR than Jason Bay last year. (Positional difference needs to be taken into account though)

 

When you take the positional difference into account, Bay is only better by a little bit.

[Dipre]

When you take the positional difference into account' date=' Bay is only better by a little bit.[/quote']

 

People can bitch and moan about getting Cameron instead of Holliday or Bay, but both those contracts are crazy. Specially the Bay one.

[Dojji]

Yeah, thing about Cameron, no he's not as good as Bay or Holliday, but he's a better fit from a franchise-health perspective. We've got a lot of dead money right now, until it comes off the books big money risks (other than the draft) are unlikely.

[example1]

This team has the potential to really shut other teams down.

 

I think Ellsbury will be great in LF. He can focus on his offensive game while boosting the team's defense significantly, especially on the road. Meanwhile, Cameron is a professional centerfielder with some pop.

 

Red Sox starting pitchers are undoubtedly happy about the team's new focus on defense. It is logical. Defense is somewhat undervalued financially. It is also the best way to maxamize the Sox inherent advantage, the rotation.

 

It isn't obvious on the surface, but good defense can turn mediocre pitching performances into good pitching performances. They will have good gloves everywhere but SS and C and five good starters.