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The decision will cost the Brewers $10 million for next year, a somewhat steep price for an excellent outfielder but average hitter who hit .243 with 142 strikeouts in 444 at-bats in 2008.
However, Cameron -- who turns 36 in January -- did add 25 home runs and 70 RBIs in 119 games, a season for Cameron that started with a 25-game suspension for testing positive at the end of the 2007 season for using a banned stimulant.
The move signals once again that the Brewers aren't comfortable with the notion of using Tony Gwynn Jr. as their regular center fielder or moving right fielder Corey Hart to center.
It also means the Brewers will have the same every-day center fielder for consecutive seasons for the first time since Brady Clark in the 2005 and '06.
The decision was the second of three involving players with club options for 2009.
The Brewers still have to decide whether to pick up the option on reliever Salomon Torres. It is expected that will happen at the cost of $3.7 million.
Last week, the Brewers declined to pick up the option on backup infielder Craig Counsell, though the parties are in discussions regarding a new deal that would bring the veteran back to his hometown club next season.
General manager Doug Melvin is attending the general manager meetings in California this week and was not available for comment on Monday.
The Brewers are on record for their first major move of the offseason, a five-year offer to free agent left-hander CC Sabathia. Milwaukee's offer reportedly is for $100 million for Sabathia, who was 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts for the Brewers last season after being acquired from Cleveland.
While the $20 million per year figure is expected to be in the ballpark for Sabathia's services next year, the length of the contract likely would come up short against other offers. Teams must wait until Nov. 12 to make official offers to free agents.
It also is expected to be announced this week that pitching coach Mike Maddux is leaving the Brewers after six seasons to take the same position with the Texas Rangers, who had the worst pitching staff in the American League last season.
Maddux's contract with the Brewers expired Friday, and he accepted a multi-year deal with the Rangers. Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, the Rangers' club president, is a close friend of Maddux and is said to have wooed his friend to Arlington.
The loss of Maddux leaves the Brewers with three coaching positions to fill: Pitching, bench and third base.
It has been speculated that Bill Castro, the team's bullpen coach for the past 17 years, might be offered the pitching coach position. Castro is expected to be part of new manager Ken Macha's staff whether he remains in his old spot or is offered the pitching coach role.
To see more of The Wisconsin State Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.wisconsinstatejournal.com.
(c) 2008, The Wisconsin State Journal
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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