Do I Have to Talk About Geoff Jenkins?

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 21, 2007 2:01 PM CST in Milwaukee Brewers News

I'm sorry, I don't like Geoff Jenkins anymore. I wasn't crazy about Jenkins in the first place, but until he started mouthing off last season, I certainly didn't have anything against him.

But it keeps getting worse:

For the second time in three years, Geoff Jenkins is doing what's best for the Milwaukee Brewers by changing positions. There is one concession the veteran outfielder is not willing to make, however.

Jenkins made it clear Tuesday that he'd rather move on to another club than face any significant reduction in playing time with the Brewers in 2007.

"I've got to go (if not playing regularly). I need to go. They owe me that, as much as I've done for the organization, to at least put me in a situation where I get a chance to play," said Jenkins, who took part in his first workout of the spring.

"My mentality is I don't like to sit. I'll take a day off every once in a while but I don't like to sit. That's how I'm made. I like going out there and leading the team and being out there with the guys. That's what I've always done."

Oh, please. I don't even know where to start.

First off, let's cut the B.S. about Jenkins "changing positions." I know he's bounced between left and right field, but anybody who's not an entrenched regular is expected to do that. I don't know whether Jenkins is talking about the position changing, or it's Tom H's hangup, but it's just not a big deal.

On the same topic: we wouldn't be talking about moving Jenkins back to left if he was actually good in right. He was a great left fielder. He was a mediocre right fielder. If he was a great right fielder, we'd be talking about Corey Hart playing left this year. It's that simple. Both Hart and Kevin Mench have played plenty of both left and right; Jenkins isn't moving because of anybody but him.

Let's take this gem of a quote:

They owe me that, as much as I've done for the organization, to at least put me in a situation where I get a chance to play.

Um, Geoff, let's shut up and hit. He's in spring training; the worst Ned has said about Jenkins's playing time is that it'll be a straight platoon. As the LH half of a platoon, he'll get at least 400 plate appearances; probably close to 500 if he's hitting well and PHs the days he's on the bench.

And that's only half the story. As I've said, probably obnoxiously often, I don't trust Yost to manage a platoon. If Geoff gets hot, he'll be the everyday left fielder as long as he stays hot...and then for another month. If Geoff deserves to play, he'll play. It's that simple. His track record has never been very good against lefties; that's the only playing time that's being threatened.

Here's another gem:

I like going out there and leading the team and being out there with the guys. That's what I've always done.

Yeah, you've always been out there, striking out in one-third of your at-bats against lefties, and leading the team in ignoring the hitting coach. You've also led the team in relying on your brother for batting advice. And lately, you've been #1 in whining.

(This is a family-friendly site. I had to edit that last paragraph extensively to reflect that.)

It's simple. On any team of Ned Yost's, veterans with proven track records get plenty of chances to play. Probably too many. And when guys get hot, Ned finds at-bats for them. If Jenkins hits well, he'll be in the lineup. If he doesn't, he may still be in the lineup.

I hope he comes back strong, shuts up, and helps "lead" the Brewers to the division title. But if he continues like this, I'm going to start suggesting that we trade Geoff to the Braves for Joe Winkelsas. Or his garbage truck.

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A similar take

The WSB is, shall we say, a bit less family-friendly.

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 21, 2007 2:05 PM CST reply actions

less family friendly??

If you guys weren't so stuffy over here, you could have said what you really felt too!

by ESK on Feb 21, 2007 2:32 PM CST up reply actions

wasn't a criticism :)

just a decision I made for the site. If we were chatting about this over a beer, my response would've sounded a whole lot like yours :).

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 21, 2007 2:34 PM CST up reply actions

i know

just giving you a hard time, I have to kill time some how, and telling Adam McCalvy to nut punch Jenkins over and over via email isn't helping hurry this day along.

by ESK on Feb 21, 2007 2:35 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

I was actually shocked to read Geoff's comments. I think he might be delusional.

I know he has pride or whatever, but does he really think he is that good? He has been a pretty good player; but on a terrible Brewer team for all those years, someone had to be the star.

Didn't like the comments one bit. Ridiculous. Like Jeff said, "If Geoff deserves to play, he'll play."

by engbjm06 on Feb 21, 2007 2:20 PM CST reply actions

odd

I've come to the conclusion that Jenkins thinks he's really really good. I mean Hank Aaron merging with Willie Mays add a dash of Mickey Mantle and a spoonful of Hank Greenberg good.
Maybe he feels if he plays everyday he'll be in a better groove or w/e. I really don't know--but it makes me sick.

by Michael M on Feb 21, 2007 2:42 PM CST reply actions

What I think this comes down to ...

... is an epic battle between Mustache / Neddy favorite players. Clearly Ned wants to play Jenkins all the time and seems to quietly be stoking the petulant Jenkins fires, and 'Stache wants Mench to hit some so he can save face over the trade last season. Melvin wins, but the fans lose because there are now two clowns manning left field. Believe me, I'd rather have neither, and for Jenkins to passive aggressively throw Mench and Hart under the bus is very poor team leadership.

We need to perpetuate this petty "Jenkins is folding his arms and stomping" quotes around, I want to hear boos at Miller Park this year. Playing well = playing more, dummy.

by nmc on Feb 21, 2007 3:03 PM CST reply actions

good season

I think he will have a good season. It is his contract year, but the club does have an option for next year. Lets have him play, but if he starts to suck it up then we just prooved to him that he does not deserve to play everyday.

by baseballdan1092 on Feb 21, 2007 4:10 PM CST reply actions

If he was thinking contract

He'd welcome hitting .280 with 20+ home runs and slugging over .500, which can only happen if he sits against lefties (except for the home run part).

This is all about ego.

by ESK on Feb 21, 2007 4:32 PM CST up reply actions

plus...

he listens to his brother unlike some relatives here....

oh and picking the cubs ahead of the brewers...kid, you're crazy! i think you talk to our cousins too much :)

by Michael M on Feb 21, 2007 4:45 PM CST up reply actions

my bad

sorry ESK...I meant to post that reply to baseballdan

by Michael M on Feb 21, 2007 4:46 PM CST up reply actions

What a jerk

Geoff Jenkins has stolen money from the Milwaukee Brewers for several seasons, and THIS is his response. If I am Ned Yost, I call Jenkins into my office, rip him a new a-hole, and tell him how it is going to be. He should be so lucky as to even be a platoon player.

by cubbiebrewerfan on Feb 21, 2007 6:00 PM CST reply actions

ned yost...

will tell him that he should keep battling

by Michael M on Feb 21, 2007 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

I'd send him to Bill Schroeder...

See the signature line below.

Don't try to do too much with it. Just take the ball the other way.

by shooty babitt on Feb 22, 2007 10:25 AM CST up reply actions

Huh

How anybody can see the Brewers as a bonafide playoff team under the likely scenarion that Geoff Jenkins, Kevin "I have a head the size of a drive-in movie screen" Mench, Tony Graffino and Craig "I am dead ringer for the character Cruiser in the movie Stripes" Counsell logging major playing time is beyond me.

by cubbiebrewerfan on Feb 21, 2007 6:03 PM CST reply actions

for the same reason

that cubs fans always expect their team to win the world series

by Michael M on Feb 21, 2007 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

I agree completely

I have no clue how you guys think a platoon that combines for an OPS of .900+ and 35+ home runs could possibly be the answer in left field. That's crazy talk.

And obviously signing Counsell to be a sixth infielder signals he will get a tremendous amount of at bats.

You guys are so stupid.

by ESK on Feb 22, 2007 7:07 PM CST up reply actions

what a jerk

what a complete jerk, who does he think he is? and he seriously must be delusional. and now you know that yost is gonna stick w/ him and not platoon just cuz he doesn't have the guts to tell jenkins.

Nats and Brew Crew are where it's at

by IronBMike on Feb 21, 2007 6:56 PM CST reply actions

i wouldn't be so sure...

his job is on the line too. if the team doesn't perform this year he may be out so he's gonna have to put out the best lineup. plus don't forget when this administration came in they got rid of hammond's contract...so it has been done before.

by Michael M on Feb 21, 2007 10:19 PM CST up reply actions

hope

lets all hope that jenkins trip over scond base going from right field to left field and tears his ACL , then we can all stop talkin about him...or trade him for Brett Favre,they look alot of like, could throw people out from the warning track, and i bet he hits lefties better too.

by bigdogg on Feb 22, 2007 11:17 AM CST reply actions

Ah he's not that bad...

Jeez you guys are piling on. I'm glad he still delusionally believes he can play everyday, if he hits well he should be in the lineup. He didn't say he's going to hold out or file a grievance or something, he just wants to play. Hopefully everyone on the team feels that way. Its really up to Yost how to use Jenkins, and if he sits versus lefties I'm alright with him getting 350-450 PAs.

by jax and rajah on Feb 22, 2007 12:13 PM CST reply actions

you're overlooking something

namely after Milwaukee gave him 34 million dollars he ponied up one all star season...and he still has the gall to say the Brewers OWE HIM something.

Ridiculous.

by ESK on Feb 22, 2007 7:08 PM CST up reply actions

Mench, too?

Holy Crap!

by engbjm06 on Feb 23, 2007 1:29 AM CST reply actions

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