According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the Philadelphia Phillies have released outfielder Geoff Jenkins. This move comes on the heels of the surprising news that the Detroit Tigers have released Gary Sheffield and will eat his $14 million salary. Of course, speculation is swirling that the two moves could be intertwined.
Jenkins never quite provided the left-handed outfield pop the Phills were seeking when they acquired him last season and he was eventually replaced in the outfield by Jason Werth. Going into this offeseason, talk ran rampant that the Phillies were in search of a right-handed bat to add to their bench. Moises Alou and Nomar Garciparra were two of the early candidates to fill the void but neither of those deals ever
materialized.
There are some serious questions that would have to be answered first if the Phillies do go after Sheffield. The first is: would he even be willing to accept a bench role? And the second is: is he still capable of playing the outfield? His bat and power would be an asset off the bench, but his attitude and defensive decencies could be a liability. More to come as any additional details emerge.
UPDATE: Again according to Todd, Chan Ho Park has won the fifth starter job over J.A. Happ. Deteails to come.
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