Left dangling by the New York Yankees for several days, Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin in essence took centerfielder Mike Cameron off the trade market Wednesday. At least for the foreseeable future.

"I haven't heard from (Yankees general manager) Brian Cashman, and I haven't called him," said Melvin. "I'm very happy having Mike Cameron with our ball club."

At the end of the winter meetings last week in Las Vegas, it appeared the sides were on track for an exchange of Cameron for Yankees centerfielder Melky Cabrera, with left-hander Kei Igawa possibly thrown in as well by New York. Melvin said at the time he considered it a strong possibility the deal would get done this week.

But Cashman never called back. At first, he just seemed busy getting mega-bucks free-agent pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett into pinstripes. Then reports surfaced that the Yankees might be shifting their focus to free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez, putting Cameron on the back burner, if on the stove at all.

There had been some dickering back and forth about money, with the Yankees wanting the Brewers to take Igawa's $4 million annual salary for the next three years in exchange for New York assuming Cameron's $10 million pay in 2009.

Not thrilled about being left dangling, Melvin withdrew and said he wasn't sure he'd resume talks even if the Yankees re-established contact.

"I'm not sure if I even want to do that," said Melvin.

"The deal was never necessarily done. You never know what's going to happen when you leave ideas with someone. That's the way the market is. There are a lot of things moving around out there. (The Yankees) have other options."

Melvin said the primary motive in looking to trade Cameron was to gain some financial flexibility to shop for pitching help. But Melvin said that didn't mean he'd look for another suitor for Cameron.

"I'm not necessarily shopping him," said Melvin. "The Yankees had expressed interest. The only reason to do it was to regain some flexibility to pursue pitching. But the good pitching is drying up anyway.

"I'm very happy to have Mike Cameron as our centerfielder. He was very productive for us last season. He's a good player, a team player. There's a reason why he's in the playoffs all the time. I'm very fond of him."

Melvin said he would continue to look for pitching, but seemed willing to wait to see how the market shakes out. After the top free-agent pitchers sign, many general managers believe there will be bargains in January, due to the declining economy and resultant cutbacks by some clubs.

Melvin has expressed some interest in free-agent closer Brian Fuentes, but he expected no major moves on the personnel front in the immediate future. Right-hander Daniel Cabrera, who was not tendered a 2009 contract by Baltimore, has piqued Melvin's interest somewhat.

"We'll just wait and pursue what we can," said Melvin. "We'd like to have some pitching, but you've got to be careful."

JSOnline.com

Tom Haudricourt posts news, notes and analysis at jsonline.com/blogs/Brewers

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