Mike Cameron

Cameron has been one of the most consistent players in the majors for the last several years. He gives excellent defense in center field, an OBP around .340, 20 home runs and a lot of strikeouts. He stole less than 10 bases in a season for the first time since he became a starter in 1997, which is not a good sign for his fantasy value. At this point, he's probably a better real player than fantasy player. He signed a two-year deal with the Red Sox and it's not clear if he'll play left field or center field, which could reduce his playing time since he won't be counted on for his defense as much in the past. The Red Sox may also be the wrong organization for him to increase his stolen base totals. He carries more risk than usual this season as a result.

Cameron missed the first month of 2008 due to a suspension, but returned and played exactly as expected. He played good defense in center field and provided a quality power/speed combination. His OBP leaves a little to be desired, but he hit 20+ homers for the third consecutive season and still stole 17 bases. He's been very consistent with those numbers over the last few seasons and we wouldn't be surprised to see him do it again.

Even at age 35, Cameron is a candidate for the 20-20 club. He is consistently in that neighborhood, along with 80 or so RBI and a .250-.260 average. He will miss the first 25 games of 2008 due to a positive test for a banned stimulant, which is a significant concern. His free-agent quest for a new team isn't much to fret about, because Cameron should occupy a full-time role somewhere, upon the completion of his suspension.

Cameron recovered from a horrific 2005 outfield collision to post the fifth 20-20 season of his career in 2006. He'll be 34 in January, but doesn't seem to be slowing down: he remains a speedy player who also possesses gap-to-gap power. He might have some extra motivation in 2007, the last year of his current contract.

Cameron missed the first month of 2005 while recovering from surgery to repair cartilage in his left wrist. Then a strained right quadriceps in July cost him seven games and a horrific collision with Carlos Beltran, causing multiple facial fractures, ended his season on August 11. All told, he played just 76 games. While on the field, he was extremely productive, including a monster May, but he went just 40-for-184 over the next two months before rebounding in August. The trade to San Diego lands his superior defense in another pitcher's park, but another surgery recovery casts doubts over his season. He can be a 20-20 man when healthy, but is that possible in Petco?

Cameron struggled early, suffering leg injuries as well as a torn tendon below his right pinky that left him with a .198 batting average as late as June 6. Once he got his average back over the Mendoza line, he was the hottest Mets hitter, with 21 HR and 53 RBI over the next three months, before slumping again in September due to a viral infection and spraining his left wrist. He will always strike out a lot, averaging 153 K from 2001 to 2004. He set a career high with 30 HR but surprisingly he wasn't up to snuff defensively, making seven errors, many of them fielding base hits in the outfield. Cameron's availability for Opening Day is in doubt after he underwent surgery to repair a cartilage in his left wrist in December.

Cameron is widely perceived to have suffered at pitcher-friendly Safeco Field, mostly based on his batting average (.235/.268 home/road). But he actually hit more HR at home (11/7) and had two more RBI at home (39/37) in 40 fewer at-bats. He had nine more doubles on the road, but spacious Safeco has big power alleys that would seem conducive to him. What's more, his home/road OPS was just .758/.789. His biggest fantasy drop, though, came in stolen bases, as he had just 17 last season, almost half his career average. Thus, we're skeptical that his change in home parks from Safeco to Shea Stadium will provide a big boost to his offensive production.

Cameron is being shopped by the Mariners, so he could have a new team before the 2003 season begins, but he will play in center field if he stays in Seattle. His batting average dipped down 30 points to .239 and his strikeout totals have been well chronicled. But he is a 20 home run-30 stolen base candidate every season, will drive in around 80 runs and play in at least 150 games.