Jenkins agrees to $23 million, three-year contract extension

[Mushimus]

Link

 

PHOENIX (AP) All-Star outfielder Geoff Jenkins and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed Tuesday to a $23 million, three-year contract extension, a deal that includes a team option for 2008.

 

Jenkins had set a Thursday deadline for a deal and his agent, Tommy Tanzer, watched an intrasquad game Tuesday with general manager Doug Melvin.

 

The 29-year-old Jenkins will make $8.55 million this season, the final year of a four-year agreement that guaranteed him $18 million. He would have been eligible for free agency after the season.

 

His new agreement calls for a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $7 million in 2005, $7.5 million in 2006 and $7 million in 2007. Milwaukee has a $9 million option for 2008 with a $500,000 buyout, and the deal contains escalators that could make it worth up to $38.5 million over four years.

 

[CuseCubFan69]

Knock off another guy to take Alou's place in 2005. Thanks a lot Mush! :D

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Knock off another guy to take Alou's place in 2005. Thanks a lot Mush! :D

 

We never wanted Jenkins, he's just as injury-prone as Alou. Beltran and Ordonez remain our top two targets to replace Moises.

[CuseCubFan69]

Knock off another guy to take Alou's place in 2005. Thanks a lot Mush! :D

 

We never wanted Jenkins, he's just as injury-prone as Alou. Beltran and Ordonez remain our top two targets to replace Moises.

 

I agree with you about the top 2 guys Don but I would like the market to have more options thus lowering the prices of these guys. I would have Jenkins in my top 10 if he did go the free agent route.

[Mushimus]

Knock off another guy to take Alou's place in 2005. Thanks a lot Mush! :D

 

We never wanted Jenkins, he's just as injury-prone as Alou. Beltran and Ordonez remain our top two targets to replace Moises.

 

 

Just curious Don have Hendry every stated any intent of signing those guys? I always thought he would like one of our minor leaguers to take over after Alou.

 

And Cuse you're welcome http://mysmilies.ipbfree.com/s/contrib/edoom/bounce2.gif

[goonys evil twin]

Knock off another guy to take Alou's place in 2005. Thanks a lot Mush! :D

 

We never wanted Jenkins, he's just as injury-prone as Alou. Beltran and Ordonez remain our top two targets to replace Moises.

 

 

Just curious Don have Hendry every stated any intent of signing those guys? I always thought he would like one of our minor leaguers to take over after Alou.

 

Well it would be against the rules for Hendry to stated he had any intent of signing either of those guys. While certain GM's and owners like to test those rules with tampering statements , that's not Hendry's game.

[Mushimus]

Knock off another guy to take Alou's place in 2005. Thanks a lot Mush! :D

 

We never wanted Jenkins, he's just as injury-prone as Alou. Beltran and Ordonez remain our top two targets to replace Moises.

 

 

Just curious Don have Hendry every stated any intent of signing those guys? I always thought he would like one of our minor leaguers to take over after Alou.

 

Well it would be against the rules for Hendry to stated he had any intent of signing either of those guys. While certain GM's and owners like to test those rules with tampering statements , that's not Hendry's game.

 

Yea Goony that was my point actually, its still premature to mention two names as replacements in Left, while we might use a platoon to get some of the young guys playing time. Heck we might upgrade SS & C while starting Kelton in left.

[Kingmanarama]

This seems like market value for Jenkins. But why would the Brewers choose to spend such a significant percentage of their $28 million annual payroll on this guy, a good-but-not-great corner outfielder? Is it just because he looks like Brett Favre?

 

Stick Kieschnick out there, fer cripes sake.

[Banedon]

Is it just because he looks like Brett Favre?

 

Wow :shock: You're right...at least in that picture. I'd never noticed that....

[Tim]

This seems like market value for Jenkins. But why would the Brewers choose to spend such a significant percentage of their $28 million annual payroll on this guy, a good-but-not-great corner outfielder? Is it just because he looks like Brett Favre?

 

Stick Kieschnick out there, fer cripes sake.

I had the same initial impression. From a pure baseball perspective, it probably doesn't make sense. His contract will just be running out when Fielder, Weeks, Hardy, Parra, etc. will be getting good. He'll be a very bad bet to extend at that point, so from that perspective, it doesn't make any sense to keep him now when he could be traded for pieces that could be a part of that future.

 

However, after thinking about it a little more, I came to a different conclusion. This contract won't prevent Jenkins from being moved, but gives the Brewers more time to work a deal with a team like the Cubs who will be in the market for a LF next year. Meanwhile, the Brewers get a PR bonus for keeping somebody on the payroll, which may be worth the price of his contract in itself. Plus, I'm sure the ultra-low payroll teams get pressure from the union to reinvest some of the revenue-sharing money at the major league level. Jenkins was as good a pick as anyone for those "free" dollars. Finally, with the team being up for sale, there has to be someone there for the team to have an identity to the buyers. Jenkins at least helps to prevent Milwaukee from slipping down to 2003 Detroit levels of mediocrity.

 

All in all, I think the non-baseball reasons were the main drivers of the deal. I'm sure Geoff will take the money, regardless of why they spent it.

[Mushimus]

This seems like market value for Jenkins. But why would the Brewers choose to spend such a significant percentage of their $28 million annual payroll on this guy, a good-but-not-great corner outfielder? Is it just because he looks like Brett Favre?

 

Stick Kieschnick out there, fer cripes sake.

I had the same initial impression. From a pure baseball perspective, it probably doesn't make sense. His contract will just be running out when Fielder, Weeks, Hardy, Parra, etc. will be getting good. He'll be a very bad bet to extend at that point, so from that perspective, it doesn't make any sense to keep him now when he could be traded for pieces that could be a part of that future.

 

However, after thinking about it a little more, I came to a different conclusion. This contract won't prevent Jenkins from being moved, but gives the Brewers more time to work a deal with a team like the Cubs who will be in the market for a LF next year. Meanwhile, the Brewers get a PR bonus for keeping somebody on the payroll, which may be worth the price of his contract in itself. Plus, I'm sure the ultra-low payroll teams get pressure from the union to reinvest some of the revenue-sharing money at the major league level. Jenkins was as good a pick as anyone for those "free" dollars. Finally, with the team being up for sale, there has to be someone there for the team to have an identity to the buyers. Jenkins at least helps to prevent Milwaukee from slipping down to 2003 Detroit levels of mediocrity.

 

All in all, I think the non-baseball reasons were the main drivers of the deal. I'm sure Geoff will take the money, regardless of why they spent it.

 

Tim I just find it difficult to understand why sign a player 7 mil a year who cant stay healthy. If he is a target for next year, I rather take a chance on J.D. Drew if the Braves dont resign him perhaps for a cheaper price.

[Tim]

This seems like market value for Jenkins. But why would the Brewers choose to spend such a significant percentage of their $28 million annual payroll on this guy, a good-but-not-great corner outfielder? Is it just because he looks like Brett Favre?

 

Stick Kieschnick out there, fer cripes sake.

I had the same initial impression. From a pure baseball perspective, it probably doesn't make sense. His contract will just be running out when Fielder, Weeks, Hardy, Parra, etc. will be getting good. He'll be a very bad bet to extend at that point, so from that perspective, it doesn't make any sense to keep him now when he could be traded for pieces that could be a part of that future.

 

However, after thinking about it a little more, I came to a different conclusion. This contract won't prevent Jenkins from being moved, but gives the Brewers more time to work a deal with a team like the Cubs who will be in the market for a LF next year. Meanwhile, the Brewers get a PR bonus for keeping somebody on the payroll, which may be worth the price of his contract in itself. Plus, I'm sure the ultra-low payroll teams get pressure from the union to reinvest some of the revenue-sharing money at the major league level. Jenkins was as good a pick as anyone for those "free" dollars. Finally, with the team being up for sale, there has to be someone there for the team to have an identity to the buyers. Jenkins at least helps to prevent Milwaukee from slipping down to 2003 Detroit levels of mediocrity.

 

All in all, I think the non-baseball reasons were the main drivers of the deal. I'm sure Geoff will take the money, regardless of why they spent it.

 

Tim I just find it difficult to understand why sign a player 7 mil a year who cant stay healthy. If he is a target for next year, I rather take a chance on J.D. Drew if the Braves dont resign him perhaps for a cheaper price.

He's certainly a gamble. If he stays healthy for 162 games, he's going to look like a great investment at $7M. If I were Milwaukee, I would have him fielding grounders at first base during spring training to see if he can handle the position.

[Kingmanarama]

This contract won't prevent Jenkins from being moved, but gives the Brewers more time to work a deal with a team like the Cubs who will be in the market for a LF next year. Meanwhile, the Brewers get a PR bonus for keeping somebody on the payroll, which may be worth the price of his contract in itself. Plus, I'm sure the ultra-low payroll teams get pressure from the union to reinvest some of the revenue-sharing money at the major league level.

 

This is all true, no doubt.

 

Pretty slick move for a small-market team to invest its revenue-sharing funds in a major league pseudo-star, satisfying local fans and the MLBPA, then trade away the contract for prospects a few months later, thus preserving the windfall. The old bait-and-switch, as a used car salesman might say!

[BigbadB]

This contract won't prevent Jenkins from being moved, but gives the Brewers more time to work a deal with a team like the Cubs who will be in the market for a LF next year. Meanwhile, the Brewers get a PR bonus for keeping somebody on the payroll, which may be worth the price of his contract in itself. Plus, I'm sure the ultra-low payroll teams get pressure from the union to reinvest some of the revenue-sharing money at the major league level.

 

This is all true, no doubt.

 

Pretty slick move for a small-market team to invest its revenue-sharing funds in a major league pseudo-star, satisfying local fans and the MLBPA, then trade away the contract for prospects a few months later, thus preserving the windfall. The old bait-and-switch, as a used car salesman might say!

 

The Brewers will have all kinds of teams knocking on their door this year, with guys like Spivey, Jenkins, Counsell, Overbay, Ginter and Grieve. They also have a lot of bullpen arms that could fetch more prospects down the stretch.

 

They have a lot of talented kids on the farm, and with attendance hurting, they may push to get some of these guys up to the bigs as soon as possible. While it isn't the wisest of decisions to rush these hot prospects, I wouldn't be surprised to see quite a few of them getting some quality playing time later in the season.

[hardcorecubfan]

whew, I thought after Maddox signing we were after Ferguson Jenkins again.

[Laura]

I think they still have Fergie wrapped up under a long-term deal. :wink:

 

At least he seems to have cautioned Prior on overdoing it with his achilles soreness -- that's definitely worth whatever he's being paid!

[GaryWoods]

whew, I thought after Maddox signing we were after Ferguson Jenkins again.

 

I was going to make a Fergie comment when I saw the title of this thread, but you beat me to it. Kudos for working the Garry Maddox reference into your post. Nicely done! :wink:

 

This actually reminds me of my reaction when we traded George Bell for Sammy Sosa. I originally just heard that we had traded Bell for Sosa, and my reaction was, "Elias Sosa is still pitching?"

[Mushimus]

Neyer on the Jenkins signing Link

 

Jenkins will actually be taking a pay cut next season, when he's scheduled to make $7 million; he's getting paid $8.5 million this season. So he's a bargain at $23 million over three seasons, right?

 

 

Maybe not. Jenkins is obviously one of the more talented hitters in the game, but he's just as obviously one of the gimpier hitters in the game. He's nearly 30 years old, and he's never played more than 135 games in one season. The last three seasons, he's played 105, 67, and 124 games.

 

[hardcorecubfan]

whew, I thought after Maddox signing we were after Ferguson Jenkins again.

 

I was going to make a Fergie comment when I saw the title of this thread, but you beat me to it. Kudos for working the Garry Maddox reference into your post. Nicely done! :wink:

 

This actually reminds me of my reaction when we traded George Bell for Sammy Sosa. I originally just heard that we had traded Bell for Sosa, and my reaction was, "Elias Sosa is still pitching?"

 

Our local minor league team the Dillas has a guy named "Billy Wiliams" (my all-time favorite) and a pitcher name s. Carlson Maybe they are an old timers league now

[HoopsCubs]

However, after thinking about it a little more, I came to a different conclusion. This contract won't prevent Jenkins from being moved, but gives the Brewers more time to work a deal with a team like the Cubs who will be in the market for a LF next year.

 

It's fun re-visiting old threads. Tim and Mushi had an excellent discussion about Jenkins when he signed his extension. Given our OPS shortcomings in LF, I wonder if Hendry has Jenkins on his radar this week.

I haven't heard anything about Milwaukee openly shopping him, but since he is still owed $15.5M in 2006 and 2007, perhaps he might be tacitly available. Would he be an improvement? He has been swinging the bat very well lately.

 

Hoops

[Roast]

However, after thinking about it a little more, I came to a different conclusion. This contract won't prevent Jenkins from being moved, but gives the Brewers more time to work a deal with a team like the Cubs who will be in the market for a LF next year.

 

It's fun re-visiting old threads. Tim and Mushi had an excellent discussion about Jenkins when he signed his extension. Given our OPS shortcomings in LF, I wonder if Hendry has Jenkins on his radar this week.

I haven't heard anything about Milwaukee openly shopping him, but since he is still owed $15.5M in 2006 and 2007, perhaps he might be tacitly available. Would he be an improvement? He has been swinging the bat very well lately.

 

Hoops

 

I dont know. I would rather see murton play every day, rather than go give up prospects/players to get jenkins. I have never much liked him. I always saw him as very mediocre for whatever reason. If I remember correctly though, he has an absoloute cannon for an arm. Which would be nice. But still, unless we're going to go get a big gun (dunn, Kearns, ??) i'd just rather see murton.

[Sabermetrician]

Jenkins is the kind of guy I wouldn't mind trading for in the offseason, if we didn't sign any free agent outfielders (where, this year at least, there isn't much to choose from). I'm not against acquiring him at the deadline this year, but I believe there are better options avaliable. Milwaukee doesn't have to trade Jenkins either, which puts them in a position to ask for more than he's actually worth. If we try to acquire him during the offseason, he may come cheaper than if we tried to acquire him now. Jenkins would be owed an average of $7.75 million in his final two years of his contract, which may be cheaper than some of the free agent outfielders go for this year. He wouldn't be an awful addition right now, but I think he's the kind of guy to pursue in the offseason if Milwaukee wants to trade him.

[badgercub]

Jenkins is the kind of guy I wouldn't mind trading for in the offseason, if we didn't sign any free agent outfielders (where, this year at least, there isn't much to choose from). I'm not against acquiring him at the deadline this year, but I believe there are better options avaliable. Milwaukee doesn't have to trade Jenkins either, which puts them in a position to ask for more than he's actually worth. If we try to acquire him during the offseason, he may come cheaper than if we tried to acquire him now. Jenkins would be owed an average of $7.75 million in his final two years of his contract, which may be cheaper than some of the free agent outfielders go for this year. He wouldn't be an awful addition right now, but I think he's the kind of guy to pursue in the offseason if Milwaukee wants to trade him.

 

With new ownership in Milwaukee and a young cheap infield in the very near future (Hall, Hardy, Weeks, and Fielder) Jenkins contract is not in need of dumping and as he heats up I think the Brewers will keep him. If I was in Milwaukee the guy I would be looking to deal for max return is Lyle Overbay.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

You'll have to convince me what Jenkins brings to the table that Burnitz does not. If you were going to settle for a half-assed solution in 2006 and were willing to spend $7MM to do so, I think you'd take Burnitz and his one-year option before you took Jenkins and his two-years-remaining deal. IMO of course.

[Omar]

God I remember the Brewers game I went to, the one where Hollandsworth had the game winning hit and Burnitz scored... Jenkins was getting a tough time from the fans in LF bleachers.

 

Stuff like

 

"Hey Jenkins! YOU SUCK!"

 

"Hey Jenkins! The Baha Men have more hits than you!"

 

"JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENKINSSSSSSS! (rpt until it gets old)"

 

Do fans do that to almost every opposing player or is it just a selected few?