Mike Cameron for Xavier Nady

If the Cameron for Nady trade is true - then my hat is off to Omar Minaya.

Cameron didn't have a real fit on the team after Carlos Beltran was signed and after his horrendous injury last year - most people would have considered him damaged goods. Minaya gets to offload Cameron's $7 million for 2005 and get a good player in return? Well played Omar my man!

Nady can play all three outfield position and play first. He hits lefties very well, which probably means a platoon with Victor Diaz in right field and he can spell Cliff Floyd's knees as a late inning defensive replacement.

Getting rid of Cameron's contract means that between Cameron, Mike Piazza and Doug Mientkiewitz - the Mets will have $25 million freed up for 2006. What will Omar spend that on?

That $25 million would go a long way toward signing catcher Ramon Hernadez and a stud pitcher like starter AJ Burnett or closer Billy Wagner. If Omar could pull that off - the Mets should be able to pencil in a playoff appearance in October of 2006.

As far as the Padres are concerned - I don't get it. Sure Petco needs a guy in centerfield who can cover a lot of ground but Cameron's 33 and he's coming off a horrible injury. Fans of Mike Cameron will point to his two Gold Gloves (but that was before his injury which may or may not make him a bit timid in the field) and they will also point to his 30 HR in 2004 (I'd point out that Brad Wilkerson hit 32 HR in 2004 too and like Cameron is always in the top 10 for strikeouts).

Maybe the best thing that could happen for the Padres is if Cameron fails his eye examination (and while the Padres are having people tested - try a dementia test on Kevin Towers).