In a move that surprised absolutely no one, the Milwaukee Brewers are set to decline outfielder Geoff Jenkins 2008 option. Due to his number of plate appearances, the buyout went for $500,000 to $ 1 million.
Jenkins was due to earn $ 9 million next season. His inability to hit left-handed pitching simply makes Jenkins not worth that price tag.
2007 first round draft pick Matt LaPorta isn’t quite ready for the job in 2008 so the Brewers have a number of options they could go with to hold the position for LaPorta in 2009.
Tony Gwynn could become the everyday starting centerfielder, moving Bill Hall from center to left. They could leave Hall in center and try and sign a free-agent or make a trade for a left fielder. Another platoon situation with Kevin Mench and Gabe Gross is a possibility, but there is no guarantee that Mench will be around next year either.
This was absolutely the correct move for the team to make and it will be interesting to see how they fill the position until Matt LaPorta is ready to take over.
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