The Yankees are on the brink of getting his pal Mike Cameron, as well. The Yankees would trade at least Melky Cabrera to obtain Cameron, a speedy, defensively elite center fielder who hits homers, but strikes out at a high rate. A source close to the situation described a trade as “close,” but not done.
Cameron was due to make $10 million next season and the deal, according to a source, might be contingent on how much the Brewers are willing to pay of that. The source said the more that Milwaukee pays the better the pitcher they could receive in addition to Cabrera. The Post first reported that possibility of a Cameron-Cabrera swap on Nov. 6 from the GM Meetings.
Since the offseason began, Yankees GM Brian Cashman has said he plans on having Brett Gardner play center next season. But he used a similar ploy after the 2005 season by stating that Bubba Crosby would be the center fielder in 2006. However, he waited for the free-agent price to fall and then signed Johnny Damon to a four-year contract.
Cameron could make Sabathia’s transition to New York easier. He played with the Mets in 2004-05, so he knows the city. And he quickly became Sabathia’s pal in Milwaukee after the Brewers obtained him last July from the Indians. For weeks, there was a belief that Sabathia might shun the Yankees because he did not want to play in New York. But the Yankees gave him $160 million to reconsider and also will probably now give him a friend, as well.