The Audacity of Heirs...

Now, I am not making a venting whining post about the Sabathian experience. The Brewers did, as the good doctor would say, buy the ticket and take the ride. The Yankees had the money and the inclination, and while the schadenfreudist in me will enjoy any initial struggle, I do not hate the player.

In fact, if there was bad blood, why would the lone buyer for Mike Cameron be those selfsame Yankees? It couldn't happen. At least, until today. Today comes with bad blood. The bad blood from when you realize that the person you are dealing with is simply irrational. Like the time you tried to engage a youtube commenter in debate. Only on a grander scale.

You know the rumor. Mike Cameron for Melky Cabrera. Straight up? This is nothing but a joke right now. Melky was awful last season, and Mike Cameron is still the above average Mike Cameron in the days of old. So, the Brewers are asking for another prospect. Their dream? Something in a Phillip Hughes. The player Hank Steinbrenner is allowing to be added? Kei Igawa or some such nonsense.

(Note: I didn't actually know that was true when I wrote that last sentence, Hank Steinbrenner must have learned his negotiationary tactics from a bad fantasy football GM.)

Now, this is an area of compromise. Ian Kennedy seems a happy medium (as he at this point has had no Big League success). I am sure a Cameron for Cabrera and Kennedy can get done. But for one little thing.

The Yankees want salary relief.

The Yankees, who are currently after Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettite and Ben Sheets, are asking for salary relief on one player whose salary actually makes sense in this new economy. The logic behind this is easy. You make one crack about C.C.'s affinity for the sausage meats and you are done.

But in what sort of a world does Hank Steinbrenner think that a move like that is nothing short of bullshit? You cannot make a move that gives a pitcher the largest contract ever than cry poor? That sort of logic may work in the Halls of Congress, but it's nothing more than wasted breath here.

Fiscal responsibility only goes so far when you are trying for a rotation of four free agents and Joba. A flaky personality only works well when you're trying to bring a positive force into the world. You are not going to find a desperate GM here. Above average does not come cheap everywhere you go.

In closing, while Hank Steinbrenner may want to damn the man, if Doug Melvin stays strong, he can save the fiefdom.

I have absolutely no problem with the Brewers right now...

Ken Macha was a savvy move. Dale Sveum is still around. And they did not let Maddux go without a fight.

And now they re-upped Mike Cameron. Which at 10 million dollars is still a nice bargain. You think a .243 hitter is a nice bargain? You might say to that. And I will tell you this.

If you compare him to the largest centerfield free agent signings of 2007? Year one was equal offensively to Torii Hunter. Sure, Hunter was a better defender. And that's okay. The Brewers saved 12 million dollars in year one.

Now? Here's the upside of year two. He may be 36. But it's a walk year. You know the rules of the Walk Year kids. Even if he loses a step from his broad base of skills? He's still going to be worth a win or two to the Brewers.

I believe in it.