Tom Haudricourt has some more statistical insight for this signing:
$1.25 million signing bonus plus $5 million salary in 2008. Incentive bonuses: $175,000 for 325 plate appearances and 375 PAs. $200,000 for 425 PAs and 475 PAs. Club option for 2009 for $10 million with $750,000 buyout. Incentive bonuses: $175,000 for 425 PAs and 475 PAs; $200,000 for 525 PAs and 575 PAs. Limited no trade.
This is a bit misleading, however, because Cameron will not be paid during his 25-game suspension to start the year. He won't make his full $7M. Interestingly enough, Haudricourt comments that Cameron has the same statistical rankings as Andruw Jones, yet the Brewers only paid one-year $7M for Cameron...as opposed to a 2-year $36M contract Jones signed with the Dodgers. If nothing else, it seems that Melvin got quite the deal in that aspect of the free agent market.
The statistical breakdowns of Cameron is starting to make me come around on this deal a little bit, I must admit. If you look at Cameron's stats in NL Central ballparks in the last 3 years, he has been very solid (thanks to Milwaukee JS for this):
Cameron is 12-for-35 (.343) at Miller Park with four home runs and 12 RBI. His on-base average in Milwaukee in the last three years is .452. Much higher than it was at the pitcher-friendly Petco Park.
PNC Park -- .351 (13-for 37), 2 HR, 9 RBI, .415 OBA
Minute Maid Park -- .340 (16-for 47), 3 HR, 12 RBI, .360 OBA
Wrigley Field -- ..306 (11-for 36), 2 HR, 4 RBI, .375 OBA.
Great American Ballpark -- .217 (5-for-23), 0 HR, 2 RBI, .391 OBA.
This is all great besides the Great American Ballpark, but Cincinnati boasts one of the leagues best hitters' parks. Cameron can easily change those stats there this year.
All in all, this signing is starting to make sense when you start to figure in the statistical facts that Melvin had to work with. Pair these stats with his fine defensive skills, and this signing could work out much better than the majority of us originally thought.
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