The Brewers won't be officially announcing the signing of free agent centerfielder Mike Cameron today because the deal is contingent on him passing a physical. It's my understanding that physical will be Monday.
But I've talked to people familiar with the deal and here's what I know. Cameron will get a $1.25 million signing bonus and a $5 million salary in 2008. But, because he is suspended for the first 25 games of the season for testing positive for a banned stimulant, he won't be paid for those games.
So, instead of the $5 million, Cameron actually will make around $4.22 million in salary. A season is based on 180 days of play and Cameron will miss 28 days ($27,778 per day). Barring postponements, he'll be eligible to play his first game on April 29 in Chicago.
The Brewers hold a $10 million option on Cameron for 2009 with a $750,000 buyout. So, if he plays for them one year, the Brewers' financial commitment will be the $1.25 million signing bonus, $4.22 million in actual pay and the $750,000 buyout, which comes to $6.22 million.
And here's something else that was made clear to me by folks in the know. This is not the precursor to another deal. The plan is to move Bill Hall from center to third and Ryan Braun from third to left field, and both players have been told that.
Cameron deal in place, pending physical - Brewers Blog
Brewers sign Cameron (Pending Physical)
Brewers sign Cameron (Pending Physical)
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