Why Did the Red Sox Sign Mike Cameron?

The Red Sox signed Jason Bay's replacement. Matt Holliday? No. Mike Cameron? Perplexedly, yes.

After signing the best starting pitcher on the free-agent market, John Lackey , for five years and $80 million-plus, the Boston Red Sox made a puzzling move. They engaged in “serious talks” with free-agent outfielder Mike Cameron , and signed the 36-year old hours later to a two-year deal worth $15 million.

In his day, Cameron was a good player, a gold glove center fielder with power. But his prime was a long time ago. He was once a .265-.270 hitter with 30-home run ability, and fantastic range defensively. Now, he is a .250 hitter at best with 24-home run ability, and limited range.

Something that has always been constant with Cameron, aside from his ability to deposit offerings in the seats, is his strikeout rate. As a 27-year old with the Seattle Mariners, he struck out 155 times in 540 plate appearances. This past season with the Milwaukee Brewers, he whiffed 155 times in 544 plate-appearances.

So, why did the Red Sox sign an over-the-hill, paltry hitter to a lucrative multi-year contract?

Earlier this offseason, they traded for outfielder Jeremy Hermida , a 25-year old outfielder with 35-plus home run potential who is capable of hitting for a better average than Cameron.

After purposefully letting Jason Bay go and failing to aggressively target the next best thing, Matt Holliday , I assumed the Red Sox would just plug him in as their left-fielder.

Did they? No.

Entering the offseason, Cameron made it clear that he wouldn’t sign with a team for whom he’d have to platoon. He signed with the Red Sox, who basically guaranteed him a starting job to compliment starter’s money.

He isn’t the best option, given his horrid average and propensity to strikeout at any time, especially in the tensest of moments, but, even at an ancient age, he does fill out Boston's outfield, and gives the team some flexibility.

Despite his struggles offensively, he has played in 140-plus games in 10 of his 14 years. So, he has clearly done many things right throughout his career. He’s hit the longball, reached base at a reasonable percentage given his strikeout rate (career OBP is .340), and has covered a tremendous amount of outfield grass.

He hasn’t covered much grass in left field, considering he has never started a game at the position, and he last played left-field in 2000. But, he’s their new left-fielder, and that’s fine with him, as he let his suitors know he’d be willing to make the switch.

Now, manager Terry Francona can rest Jacoby Ellsbury, and move Cameron to center, putting Hermida in left. If J.D. Drew misses a lot of time, which he often does, Cameron can slide over to right-field, and Hermida can play left. Also, with Hermida as the team's fourth outfielder, it is able to give David Ortiz a rest at designated hitter.

Cameron may turn out to be a great addition. He may bat .270, hit 25 homers, drive in 80 runs, and play the "Green Monster" to perfection. But I don’t get why they signed him for so much, and for two years.

I think the Sox could have saved their money and been fine platooning Hermida and Josh Reddick, one of their younger talents. Still, along with the Lackey deal, it shows how determined the Red Sox are to compete, and to prove they have win-now mentality.

But don’t be surprised if Cameron hits in the low .240s, struggles with the "Green Monster" defensively, strikes out an ungodly amount, and proves to be a disastrous signing.