Phils release Jenkins, eye Sheffield

03/31/09 2:05 PM ET
Phils release Jenkins, eye Sheffield

By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com

With less than a week until Opening Day, the Phillies released veteran outfielder Geoff Jenkins on Tuesday and have begun a pursuit of slugger Gary Sheffield, who was released earlier in the day.

The left-handed-hitting Jenkins hit .250 in 11 Grapefruit League games, with one homer and five RBIs. Last season, his lone campaign with the Phillies, Jenkins hit .246 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 115 games.

Jenkins, who spent his first 10 Major League seasons in Milwaukee, has 221 career home runs.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the World Series champions have reached out to the agent for Sheffield, who was unexpectedly released by the Tigers. The Phils have been on the hunt for a right-handed-hitting corner outfielder, and Sheffield, who has 499 lifetime homers, fits the bill.

The Tigers owe Sheffield his guaranteed $14 million salary for this year, so any team that signed Sheffield would only have to pay him $400,000.

Sheffield was hitting .178 (8-for-45) with three homers and five RBIs this spring. He walked 13 times for a .387 on-base percentage, but had a .378 slugging percentage. He also hit .225 with 19 homers and 57 RBIs in 418 at-bats last season, when he played just six games in the outfield.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Quote :

Phils have been on
the hunt for a right-handed-hitting corner outfielder, and Sheffield,
who has 499 lifetime homers, fits the bill.

Good luck... he is a DH not an outfielder anymore!

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Quote :

Phils have been on
the hunt for a right-handed-hitting corner outfielder, and Sheffield,
who has 499 lifetime homers, fits the bill.

Good luck... he is a DH not an outfielder anymore!

Can't believe Phillies want him


NO DH in the NL

Which is the way baseball should be