The Phillies released Geoff Jenkins today, who, aside from his double in Game 5.2 of the World Series, was a complete bust.
This has already started rumors that the Phillies might look to replace him with recently released Gary Sheffield. Sheffield would provide a right handed bat off the bench, and could spot start against tough lefties. Todd Zolecki reported the Phillies have contacted his agent.
I personally think they will just keep Miguel Cairo as the right handed hitter instead of taking the risk of an unhappy Sheffield riding the bench, but it’s something to keep an eye on.
Update: On another important note, Chan Ho Park has won the Phillies 5th starter spot, sending JA Happ to the bullpen. Park has arguably been the Phillies best starter in spring training and despite how much I’ve championed JA Happ, I think that this was the best move for the team. Park had 25 strikeouts, 2 walks, and a 2.53 ERA in 21.1 spring innings. Jamie Moyer has helped him with a change-up and he’s having a lot of success striking guys out with it. Only Dan Haren, Matt Cain and Josh Johnson have struck out more hitters this spring than Park, and all 3 have pitched at least 4 more innings. I’m actually pretty excited to see what Park can do. He is incredibly motivated to resurrect his career, and has cleared a tough first hurdle.
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Pete,
Do you think with they way he pitched in AAA last year and filling in for Kendrick on the big league team last year and this year in Spring Training that Happ has done enough to be our lefty in the bullpen to fill in for JC?
Geez. I’ve had a busy day off from work, I get a chance to check in, and look at all I missed.
This is really something. First the Phils eat Eaton’s contract and now they eat Jenkins’. Things have really changed with this organization. Makes you believe them, and believe in them, now. It’s a great feeling that we haven’t had in quite a while.
Andy Martino at the Inky has an update (5:44pm) on the Sheffield thing where the team says the chances are very slim.
Park certainly has pitched well enough to earn the 5th spot and I hope he does well. If he does, it will be another minor pickup who turns into a major contributor. We’ve been doing well with that the last couple years. I just hope the Phils don’t put Happ in the pen.
I have enjoyed this spring training. Well, I’ve really enjoyed the way I’ve felt about the team this spring training, which is to say not the least bit anxious, ticked off, or ready to give up on the season before it even starts. In years past, Eaton would be our #3 starter (possibly even #2) and Jenkins would be at least the #4 outfielder, if not a starter.
This year we’ve had actual competetions between two or more worthy athletes where one guy has actually stepped up and won the spot. We also have a lot more depth, which is very reassuring.
One last thing left to decide, which is who will be the right-handed bat off the bench, and we’re ready to defend our title starting Sunday.
I was surprised to see Park win the 5th job. If I remember correctly Happ didn’t pitch all that well out of the pen the few times we used him there. I wouldn’t mind sending him to AAA to keep in starters shape (arm streched out) I’m sure we’ll need him at some point this season. Park does have an injury history as does Hamels.
I’m glad the Phils kept Stairs because they thought he was more valuable as opposed to keeping Jenkins because of the $$$. Stairs should be a good pinch hitter for us, although it leaves us with one less OF defensively in case of injury or off day. None of us want to see Stairs or Dobbs running around out there. Bruntlett seems to be the man for that.
Anyone know if Cairo can play corner OF if necessary?
On Sheff: He might be a pinch hitting upgrade but if we have to cut Cairo to make a spot for him we would be weaker defensively and versitilaty wise. Would they cut Stairs for him? Both are strictly pinch hitters at this point in their career (in the NL) and both have that all or nothing swing. He could be our righthanded pinch hitter…but I just don’t see it. I don’t think he makes us better not too mention his influence on the clubhouse. This team has really good chemisty why mess with it?
Park decision is the right thing but long term?? Might as well just trade J Happ now right? he’s definitely not bullpen material or capable of filling a Chad Durbin like roll but I guess we’ll try once more. He’s not a left handed specialist that can nail southpaws. LH, RH both hit him equally. If this doesnt work, then what? Gonna grow old in AAA forever? Well our team is in WIN NOW mode so I think that justifies it. Unfortunate turn of events but you always want competitiion.
Goodbye Jenkins, I’m gonna miss the beard!
Sign Sheffield please… just for the fact that he is a veteran RH bat. Taste some humble pie and take the veterans minimum my friend.
jurnee16-
also, on something that I find very interesting… we will get to see what Kyle Drabek is made of tomorrow, as he is starting against the Yankees.
jkay….No way we can trade Happ now and don’t worry, he won’t grow old in AAA either. There are many scenarios that could get him into our rotation soon. Injuries, ineffectiveness, or the fact that Myers is in the last year of his contract, to name just a few.
Drabek huh?…hmm…
34 years since repeat Champs from NL … season will be interesting in that the reasons for coming up short are ahead, to be determined … Phils, while brimming with talent, won’t buck trend … pitching will be most likely be the bane … Lidge won’t duplicate (how can he?) … rest of staff includes real questions … Jimy Williams’ influence gone … last
season’s general health blessing unlikely … M-E-T-S (new relievers, new stadium, renewed attitude) will take East
The Phillies may not repeat, but the Mets will definitely choke again. It’s only a matter of time before KRod blows his arm out. Delgado got his option and will revert back to his actual age of 45. Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran will come up small like always. Only guys on that team worth a damn are Wright and Santana.
Another name to throw out there as the possible 25th man is Andruw Jones. According to T. R. Sullivan, Rangers beat writer for mlb.com, the Phils have scouted Jones extensively this spring.
Don’t know if he’d be worth getting either. Cairo really might be the way to go at this point.
I’ll say again, it really is nice that we’ve only had to “worry” about the 5th starter, the 25th man, and a fill-in for Romero instead of how we’re going to make it through a season with Brandon Duckworth taking the mound every 5th day, Jeff Brantley as a closer, or Desi Relaford at short.
the baseball people are alive!
I’d rather have John Mayberry Jr. stay up than Jones or Sheffield.
I’ll have my NL East Starting pitching preview out later today.
Here’s an update (11:10am) from Andy Martino: Happ and Taschner likely to win bullpen jobs.
Happ and Taschner are fighting it out with Majewski and Mosebach. According to this report, it looks like Majewski is headed to AAA and Mosebach will be offered back to the Angels.
Feeling more lively every day, Pete! Myers is penciled in for opening day (night) and there’s just a couple finishing touches left.
Anybody else as worried about Hamels as I am? I need Saturday to get here and see him not throw like it’s BP (with similar results) before I even begin to relax. I mean. I know he knows what he’s doing and how he’s feeling, but I am uneasy.
It’s gotten to the point where I’ve been wondering whether or not it might be worth it to hold off on his first start until everyone is sure he’s ready.
Todd Zolecki has reported the Phils’ rotation for the first 6 games as listed below. However, we do not need a 5th starter for a while, so why not let Myers take Hamels’ turn on the 10th, move Park up to the 11th, have Moyer pitch the 12th, and not rush Hamels back unnecessarily? I’m probably making too much out of this, but I’m just concerned is all.
April 5 vs. Braves: Myers
April 7 vs. Braves: Jamie Moyer
April 8 vs. Braves: Joe Blanton
April 10 at Colorado: Cole Hamels
April 11 at Colorado: Myers
April 12 at Colorado: Chan Ho Park
I actually agree about Hamels bski. I need to see his fastball velocity in the 90’s before feeling comfortable with him starting. Right now I hear it’s in the upper 80’s.
OK, one guy is officially out of the running for a spot in the bullpen. Zolecki is reporting that Mosebach is going back to the Angels.
It’s official, Sheffield has signed with the Mets. Even with that, the Phils still have not named Cairo as the 25th man. Still looking for more of a power bat.
Also, Happ and Taschner have been added to the bullpen, meaning Majewski is heading to AAA after these last couple exhibition games.