Cameron Returns, Maddux Moves On

The Milwaukee Brewers will excercise the 10 million dollar club option on Mike Cameron and place him as the starting centerfielder for the 2009 season. Mike Cameron posted an .809 OPS, and 5.77 RC/27 in his debut season with the club in 2008. His HR/FB rate jumped as he escaped from the hitters nightmare known as Petco Park in San Diego, and he was used in the lead-off spot down the stretch for interim manager Dale Sveum. While Cameron is not a lead-off hitter, he is well worth the 10 million dollars if you look at his full production (OPS and defensive ability) and not just his low batting average and high strikeout rate.

In other Brewer news, pitching coach Mike Maddux will be hired by the Texas Rangers sometime this week. I personally thought that Maddux did a fine job with the pitching staff in his time with the Brewers getting the best out of the players he was given to work with. Now his real job will be turning around a Texas Rangers pitching staff that is horrible, and plays in the biggest launching pad in baseball.