Texas Rangers: Could Mike Cameron Be a Good Addition?

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When it comes to the Texas Rangers and the changes that need to be made in order to turn this team into a contender in the American League, the outfield isn't one of the places most people will talk about.

But when it comes to possibly bringing a veteran in, someone who already has American League experience, and a guy who's a proven hitter, I'm whole heartedly on board.

Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Craig Gentry, and Endy Chavez currently make up the outfield depth chart for the team and you can add Mitch Moreland to the list as he also has experience at both corner spots.


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But outside of Hamilton and Cruz, the Rangers don't have a solid veteran hitter in the lineup who can not only do damage offensively but has the speed to get to any ball in the gap.

You can look at his numbers and be scared off from signing the 38-year old veteran but there's more to Cameron than his 94 at bats this season. Being with the Boston Red Sox and among all the talent that roster has, Cameron knew he wasn't going to get the chance to play every day.

Now that he's a free agent, Cameron is looking for a team he can land with who will give him a chance to prove he still has some life left in his legs.

He's not going to be the same kind of a player he was in his early days but he's still someone pitchers will think twice about with their pitch selection.

If you want to look at numbers, how about .266, Cameron's career batting average at Rangers Ballpark.

But Cameron's play has more to do with who he is as a ballplayer than any of his numbers will tell anyone who follows the game. He's a lot like Josh Hamilton. Cameron goes 110% and gives everything he has to the team he plays for.

They need a veteran presence in the outfield and someone manager Ron Washington can bring off the bench to provide a late inning pitch hitter or defensive replacement.

He's going to be a cheap option to sign and a guy they won't have to give up anything to bring on board. While the Rangers may not need another name on the outfield depth chart, Mike Cameron is certainly an option general manager Jon Daniels and CEO Nolan Ryan will think long and hard about.

Texas Rangers Notes: Chris Davis, Julio Borbon, Todd Coffey, Padres, Nationals

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With the trade deadline just under two months away, the trade talks and rumors will begin to get hot and heavy through just about every online baseball site there is.

For the Texas Rangers, they are in need of bullpen help and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports covers just that topic today in his column.


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For those of you who have checked in on my blog for my thoughts on the Rangers and who they should use as trade bait, you know one name I've thrown out is reserve first baseman Chris Davis. As of right now he is expendable and one place I've mentioned as a possible landing spot is with the offensively starved, San Diego Padres.

It's well known that the Padres will be willing to listen to trade offers for a few of their relievers including closer Heath Bell and set up man Mike Adams. If Texas can shore up their bullpen at or before the deadline, they will be a tough team to beat in the American League.

Another candidate that Rosenthal talks about is outfielder, Julio Borbon, who the team sent down to Triple-A Round Rock due to the surprising success of Endy Chavez who has been on an absolute tear as of late. He had eight hits in 12 at bats against the Cleveland Indians and is 13-of-26 in his last six games.

If this continues, and with the depth the Rangers have in the outfield, they are in the position to be able to trade Borbon to a team who needs depth at the position.

According to Rosenthal, the Rangers have been interested in Washington Nationals' reliever Todd Coffey and he says Borbon could be a good piece to use in a deal.