Reviewing the Melky/Mike Cameron Trade That Wasn't

Sometimes it's as much fun analyzing trades that weren't as trades that did occur. One that had almost seemed a done deal in the offseason and fell apart due to money concerns was Melky Cabrera for Mike Cameron. Let's take a look:

 

Melky Cabrera: .323/.368/.481, OPS+ 121, 10 BB/19 K, 5 HR and 20 RBIs in 133 ABs

Mike Cameron .285/.382/.543, OPS+ 140, 25 BB/33 K, 9 HR and 22 RBIs in 151 ABs

 

It is a small sample size to be able to tell much of a difference. According to FanGraphs, Mike Cameron is a much better fielding CF than Melky. Melky has come up in some huge spots for the Yankees, getting late, clutch hits to win games. And Cameron has helped a young Milwaukee team defy those who thought they would fail without CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets to first place in the NL Central.

But Mike Cameron makes $10 million this season and is 36 while Melky Cabrera makes $1.4 million and is 24. I think both guys will fall back to their career numbers, and at times the Yankees will feel that they could have used Mike Cameron, but not trading for Cameron meant they felt comfortable brining Pettitte back and I rather Pettitte/Melky (and some Brett Gardner in CF) than Mike Cameron. Also, falling back to career numbers could lead to a lot of strikeouts for Mike Cameron who is 5th among active players in strikeouts. I may not feel the same way in September (especially if Melky falls off like he did last year), but I think that the 2009 Yankees--and beyond--are better off not having made that trade.