According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the Phillies have signed outfielder Geoff Jenkins to a two-year, $13MM deal. There’s an option for 2010 that could bring the total to $20MM. We knew the Padres were in on him; Crasnick says the Rangers were also bidding.
Jenkins’ job will be to hit righties. He hit .262/.326/.482 against them in ’07, and was better than that in ’06. He’s frighteningly bad against southpaws, so Jayson Werth will platoon with him. Jenkins can also play left field when Pat Burrell is ailing or DHing.
A $6.5MM platoon outfielder who doesn’t really mash the pitchers he’s supposed to match? It’s an uninspired signing. This takes the Phillies out of the running for Mike Cameron, by the way.
