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Do I Have to Talk About Geoff Jenkins?

By Jeff Sackmann

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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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