Mike Cameron Announces Retirement

Yesterday outfielder Mike Cameron informed the Washington Nationals that he would not be joining them for the 2012 season.  The 39-year-old Cameron announced his retirement from the game of baseball yesterday, noting that he didn’t feel the drive to work back into baseball shape but instead a desire to spend more time with his family.

Cameron signed on with the Nationals this offseason and was likely going to be used as a platoon player in 2012.  Cameron would have split time in center field with fellow free agent acquisition Rick Ankiel.

But Cameron said that he felt reservations while working out recently.  This is something the veteran has never experienced and it along with his desire to spend more time with his family ultimately led to his decision.

Over his 17 seasons in the majors Cameron has maintained a career line of .249/.338/.444.  Cameron won three Gold Gloves and totaled at least 20 home runs and 30 doubles seven times.  Cameron ends his career with exactly 1700 hits, 383 doubles, 278 home runs, 968 RBI’s and 297 stolen bases.

Now that Cameron is out of the picture, the Nationals could look to insert Jason Michaels into their platoon plans with Ankiel.  Washington has also debated moving Jayson Werth to center field if top prospect Bryce Harper wins a spot in the starting lineup this spring.

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