The Brewers' Melvin joked that he no longer can trade center fielder Mike Cameron, who turned out to be his best recruiter for Hoffman, his former Padres teammate.

Melvin will never say never, but the Yankees' interest in Cameron seems to be waning. Cameron is due $10 million next season, and the Yankees probably would not devote to him the $10 million they offered Andy Pettitte.

Instead, they could use some combination of Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner and Johnny Damon in center field.

Around the horn

The Mets are leaning "slightly" toward right-hander Derek Lowe over lefty Oliver Perez, according to a major-league source; they are almost certain to get one of them. The Phillies, Angels and Brewers all deny interest in Lowe. The Braves, like the Mets, are unwilling to guarantee four years. The market for Perez, meanwhile, looks even thinner. The Dodgers, Brewers and Braves do not appear to be involved ...

The Yankees would prefer to trade Xavier Nady rather than Nick Swisher for three reasons, according to a rival executive. Swisher is A) under control for four years and Nady only one, B) a switch-hitter while Nady is right-handed and C) a more versatile defender, playing all three outfield positions and first base. Nady does not play center ...

The Giants, one rival executive says, might be better off passing on Manny Ramirez and bidding next offseason on Matt Holliday. At that point, the team's young players would be further along in their development. Of course, the Red Sox might also pursue Holliday to replace Jason Bay ...