Phillies release Geoff Jenkins; Have interest in Sheffield
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Phillies release Geoff Jenkins; Have interest in Sheffield
Daily News staff
The Phillies have released outfielder Geoff Jenkins and are hoping to sign Gary Sheffield, who was released by the Detroit Tigers today. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the Phillies have contacted Sheffield's agent and are in a wait-and-see mode.
Jenkins appeared in 115 games and hit .246 with nine home runs and 29 runs batted in. The lefthanded-hitting Jenkins signed a 2-year, $13 million deal as a free agent before last season and seemed likely to platoon with Jayson Werth in rightfield. Jenkins landed on the disabled list in August with a quad injury and was largely an afterthought for the end of the season and the playoffs. He will, however, be remembered for the double in the resumption of Game 5 of the World Series that led to the go-ahead run.
Jenkins seemed to get caught in the glut of lefthanded hitters coming off the Phillies bench.
"I knew there were a lot of left handed hitters so it seemed like somebody was going to be the odd man out at some point," Jenkins said. "So it's real tough. I care a lot about those guys in the clubhouse. We'll just deal with this. It's like anything else, and try to find a new spot. It's obviously something I've never had to deal with before. But I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. But I don't regret anything from one moment that I was here."
The Phillies owe him the remainder of his $6.75 million salary for this season, plus a $1.25 million buyout for next season. Any team can pick him up, but they will likely owe him the veterans minimum of $400,000, which will be deducted from the Phillies' obligation.
Speaking with reporters moments ago, Jenkins said he was planning to take a couple of days to clear his head after flying back to his home in Arizona.
Jenkins said he had no hard feelings toward the Phillies.
"Absolutley not," he said. "What's there to be mad about? I picked a great year to be here. Obviously I wish things had worked out better and I coudl be with them. But I don't regret one minute. I wouldn't change a thing. Being with these guys, going what we went through last year, was tremendous."
The Phillies now have 29 players in the running for the 25-man roster. That 29 includes suspended reliever J.C. Romero, who will miss the first 50 games. The move to release Jenkins, for the moment, gives second baseman Miguel Cairo a spot on the squad, although the Phillies could still add a right-handed bat. Outfielders Wily Mo Pena and Gary Sheffield were both recently released by the Nationals and Tigers, respectively.
Good news for Stairs. Geoff got released early - I believe he will catch on quickly somewhere else.— Amberjack- First Burrell, now Jenks... the Phillies have no class. Of course, what do you expect from an organization who's fans booed Mike Schmidt. Phillies care about nothing but $$$, they should take a page from the Mets who care about BASEBALL, the FANS, and the TEAM.— squirrelpants
Comment removed.- He will be missed. He always was the first one in the dugout to congratulate the hitters on scoring runs etc. He is a good hitter, I wish Him well.— xmar
- Murph-any indications that the Phils are having any type of talks with Sheffield?— dbuzzy19
- Clearing a space for Gary Sheffield?......if he'll come off the bench to PH and play an occasional game in LF......it would get us a $14 mil player for $8 million.....that's a much more threatenig upgrade for the bench and seals the need for a RH hitter. Come on Rube, say it......say it!!!!!!— Mark1npt
- He will get picked up real fast. I hope it's Kansas City, not sure if he fits, but they are starting to build something there it would be funny if they make the playoffs and the Yankees don't.— ktdb05
- Hard to believe they could not work out some sort of trade for him as they are on the hook anyway for his salary. Even a draft pick? What is going on!— psuwelsh
- Dave, does this give you any inclination as to where the Phils are moving with their bench? I love Stairs but he seems even more one dimensional than Jenkins. What's your take? Thanks.— wearethechampions
Will never forget the leadoff double is the WS final (II).— Earl J- Jenkins was the Eaton of the everyday player. He stunk. Now lets get a right handed bat that can play the OF and run the bases.— brinkmang
- Gillick is lucky he won a World Series. Between Eaton, Jenkins, Garcia and Barajas, there is about $50 mill in wasted money.— 93phils
- 6 million dollar double— jayflo
- Jenkins seemed to give his best effort, so you can't really dislike the guy. On the other hand, you can't say he gave the Phils the results they signed him to produce. As for his level of pay, blame that on Phils' management, not on Jenkins. He and his agent were trying to get the best deal they could, and the Phils decided he was worth $13 million over two years. Both sides did the best they could to meet their objectives. I don't recall any headlines about Jenkins or his agent putting a gun to anyone's temple, do you? Did it work out? Phils' management doesn't think so. (I didn't think it was a good deal from the start, although, as I mentioned, I admired his effort. At least he wasn't a slacker.) Bottom line ... "Eh." No biggie. Easy come, easy go.
- Please, no Thomas or Shefield. They're espensive has-beens.— brinkmang
