The Phillies are reportedly finalists for left-handed outfield slugger Geoff Jenkins.
The Brewer would command about $5M or so over a year, probably no more — well, hopefully no more. He’s a decent slugger, but he’s close to a TTT guy:
2007: 21 HR / 107 H / 116 SO
Here’s what I said about him in November:
Geoff Jenkins
Gives you: Left-handed power bat
Role: Starting right fielder, taking spells against lefties
Jenkins has been discussed as a replacement for Rowand’s outfield spot, but I don’t know why. The Phils would be better off with a starting right-handed bat, and with Burrell in left, there’s no real need for spotty defense on either side of Victorino. Plus, Jenkins can command close to the $7M+ he made with the Brewers.
I stand by all this, and would much rather see a starting right fielder than a Werth/Jenkins platoon. Jenkins had a 2007 SSR of 3.03716. That’s a shade above Werth’s 2.95136. If you’re losing a guy whose SSR was a 3.96728, you’d better make up for it.
Yes, I do think the Phils need more than Chris Snelling in right field, and Jenkins is more. But another TTT-type player on this club? Where does he hit? Sixth behind Burrell? You mean to tell me a Howard/Burrell/Jenkins combo isn’t going to do add to the air conditioning system at Citizens Bank Park?
If getting sufficient substitution for Rowand is a 10, Jenkins would be a 6. Good enough? Maybe. But for years of maybe, is this the right way to go?
I’d love to see Brett Favre in a Phils uniform, he’ll fit perfectly with Jayson Werth in RF.
I think people forget how much Rowand struck out. He was a pretty big whiffer too, so I don’t think Jenkins is going to hurt much in that regard.