Jenkins verse Mench

[sbrylski]

One pretty much has to assume one will be gone by opening day, and though this has been brought up in multiple threads, it was more of side conversation.

So, who would you rather see traded?

 

I still like Jenkins, he can still hit righties well, but the more I think about this I think he is the one that will go. With the rumors about his attitude not sitting well with the team, and his $7 million dollar salary trumping that of Mench, I think it makes more sense.

 

Also, Mench's bat seems to fit the team needs a little better. Now that Cirillo is gone, we don't really have a true lefty masher. And while Mench has been up and down, we can feel comfortable with turning to Gross if Mench hasn't gotten it going by mid-June provided Gross is hitting similar to how he did last year. The also complement each other well for a potential platoon or a partial platoon, with the latter probably more likely.

 

At this point, I trade Jenkins and see if Mench can finally "break-out". He may yet make the Lee trade look like a good one.

[bsglorydays]

I'd prefer to keep the better all-around player, which is Jenkins IMO. However, he also is probably the most likely to be dealt. The Crew has other lefty-hitting OF options in Nix, Gross, and Gwynn.

 

I think its still possible for both Jenkins and Mench to return. However that would create a major roster issue, assuming Melvin and Co continue to look at Bill Hall as an OF.

 

Which begs the question... Do you think there is any wiggle room in DM's mind regarding playing Hall in the outfield full-time? Is there any chance Hall could go back to his super utility role, adding LF and CF to his list of positions he can play (that would give him 5 different positions - it should be easy enough to get him playing time)?

[DHonks]

To be honest, a lot could depend on how they perceive Gross. Do they see him as a potential starter with 20+ hr power and a nifty obp? Do they see him as a RF, LF, CF? All comments i seem to recall show that he can play CF in a pinch, but isn't their ideal CF. If Gross is someone they want to try to get to 300-400 at bats, then Jenkins likely needs to go. If however they feel Gross' 2006 was a fluke, then perhaps they can keep them all, just dealing Clark.

 

And of course the wild card is Laynce Nix. His tools and defensive skills make him a new candidate for the 4th/5th OF job, since he can play CF well, has power, and hits well in the minors.

[reillymcshane]

Deal Mench over Jenkins if you have to make a choice.

 

Mench hits lefty pitching well, Jenkins right handed pitching well. Considering we face righties about 3/4 of the time, Jenks is going to get the most playing time. Plus, I'd say he's a better defender.

 

They make an ideal platoon, but at a cost of $10-11 million.

 

The one caveat is that you could argue that Gross is a better option than Jenkins, based upon last year's .908 OPS against righties (Jenks hit .872 OPS last year against righties). Maybe the team will take that opinion. But Jenks, even in the bad times, has hit righthanders really well. Gross had his first decent year ever last season, and the club might be nervous he'll regress.

[KCBrewerfan34]

This is like comparing whether you would like a broken leg or a severely sprained ankle. Doug please do the minions and the loyal followers on BREWERFAN.NET a favor and get both guys out of town.

[strawbossisevil]

I'm in favor of keeping Jenkins. Like it or not, Jenkins is currently the third best OF on our roster (although Gross might be better going forward, but he's still a bit of an unknown). Jenkins is in a contract year which could be a bit of motivation for him as well.

 

I wouldn't be upset, however, if Doug decided to go with a Gross/Mench platoon, if he can get something decent for Jenkins. Jenkins still has value to this team (especially in the current FA market), so I'd hate to see him traded for a sack of marbles.

[Ennder]

Jenkins is the best OF on the team vs righties most likely, I'm not a huge believer in Gross. I think the bottom line is there is no room for Gross AND Jenkins on this team, they are the same player and there is only one spot open for them to fill, so you trade Jenkins and give Gross his shot.

[trwi7]

Watching Mench in the outfield in a Brewers uniform for even 1 inning will make me sad. Keep Jenkins.

[JohnBriggs12]

Despite his streakiness, Jenkins is clearly a better player than Mench.

 

However, Gross showed enough in 06 to at least be more than a lefty PH specialist and his ceiling may be at least as high as what Jenkins can produce now. Plus Gross is cheaper and under Brewer control for more than one year.

 

I'm resigned to Jenkins being traded but if he is, I would hope Mench goes too. I think what Melvin has to do is trade Mench first, then use Jenkins in a deal to get a different right handed OF bat to share LF with Gross. What I don't want to happen is to be forced to have Gross platoon with either Mench or Clark.

[DannyKmilw]

Isnt Mench a streaky player too? If i remember right he had 6 or so games in a row in which he had homered.

 

IMO, i look at it like either Gross or Jenkins, i like Gross' upside and speed over Jenks everything. Gross can also play any OF pos. Plus we need a 3rd OFer who can hit lefties(Mench). But if we could package something for an upgrade over Mench and Jenks full time im all for that.

[wallus]

Quote:

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What I don't want to happen is to be forced to have Gross platoon with either Mench or Clark.

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Yeah who would want that cheap production out of a corner outfield slot anyways....

[mothershipconnection]

I think its still possible for both Jenkins and Mench to return. However that would create a major roster issue, assuming Melvin and Co continue to look at Bill Hall as an OF.

Yeah, all this "Hall to corner OF" business is as frustrating as it is wasteful. You obviously do not play Hall's bat less than everyday. Thus, unless he is CF, you have Hart, Mench, and Jenkins sharing one corner OF position. I'd just as soon trade both Mench and Jenkins and go with Hart if we're wasting Hall on the other corner OF spot.

[dpapo]

Melvin has already stated that Hall will probaby be the Brewers Centerfielder next year. Just as recently as the interview he had on WSSP this past week. So, it's Hart in one corner spot, Hall in center, then back to the Jenkins/Mench question.

[Ennder]

Quote:

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Isnt Mench a streaky player too? If i remember right he had 6 or so games in a row in which he had homered

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All players are streaky, every single one of them.

[brewcrew44]

IMO, its clear who should go. With the limited amount of money that the Brewers have, paying 7million to a past his prime left fielder is unacceptable. Mench is cheaper, and as said before we need a batter good against lefties.

 

The solution is with Gross. I saw a good deal of promise in him last year and believe him to be better than Jenkins. A possible platoon of Mench/Gross doesnt sound to bad to me. Of course I wouldn't be unhappy with both of them going to clear up even more cap space.

[endaround]

Yeah we need that $7 million to pay a past his prime #4 starter 10 million.

[brewcrew44]

Suppan a past his prime pitcher? A pitcher coming off 3 solid seasons with 44 wins, which is among the tops in the league is past his prime?

[theavrock]

I think regardless of Suppan or not Jenkins is too expensive for the Brewers to be a platoon player especially given the fact that Gross is on our bench for $7.5 million cheaper. I would love to have a Mench/Gross platoon I just can't see it happening because Mench was reportedly unhappy about that when he was in Texas. I don't see him being happy about that here either.

[Blunt36]

Has anyone here not competely written off Jenkins? It seems like the board consensus in this thread and many others, is that he is pretty much worthless and the Brewers need to dump him for nothing ASAP. Does anyone think he may be able to bounce back from last year's (admittedly very bad) season?

 

Now, I'm not saying he's sure to bounce back, I'm not even saying I expect him to, but I definitely don't think its out of the question. He does have a few things going for him, for example:

 

He's only 32 years old, which is definitely not young, but it isn't like he's 38. There are plently of players who's pime has lasted well into their mid-30's, and some guys have even had their career years after age 32. Strictly looking at age, there's no reason to assume Jenkins is washed up and passed his prime.

 

Yes, he had a terrible season by his standards in 2006, but his 2005 season was just fine. In fact Jenkins' 2005 season was very comprable to Hall's 2006 (and Hall's season has led to him being annointed as the Brewers' franchise player by many posters here). Is it really out of the question that Jenkins can come close to repeating a season he is only 2 years removed from?

 

Also, this is a contract year for Jenkins. If he wants to continue to get paid like he has been, he's going to have to produce this year. There are many, many examples of players players producing at higher levels in walk years, once there is more money on the line.

 

As far as his contract goes, I do realize that $7 million is way too much to pay a bench or platoon player. Jenkins' contract is probably the biggest strike against him, and I think his contract would be the #1 reason it may not be a bad idea to trade him. But, I do think his contract isn't quite as bad as some would suggest. At one time a contract like Jenkins' was all-star caliber money, but I don't think that is the case any more. Considering the other contracts we've seen signed this year, if Jenkins does happen to bounce back to his '05 level, it would be tough to call him overpaid at $7 million/year.

 

So, the bottom line, is that I think it is too early to give up on Jenkins, and I do think he is undervalued and underrated by many posters here. Like I said, I'm not counting on him returning to his previous form, but I also don't think its nearly as unlikely as some do. I recognize that he may go the other direction too, and have even a worse season in '07, but I'm hoping that doesn't happen.

[TooLiveBrew]

Good post, goat sucker (I can't believe that's not an outright insult...)

 

Your support for Jenks is strong, and one thing no one has mentioned in this thread is Geoff's stellar D & arm in the OF. Granted, BF.net almost always ignores Defense when 'evaluating' players, but in this one-to-one comparison, that can be a solid tiebreaker, but then again so can the fact that Mench has historically feasted on LHP.

 

Here's the reason Jenks's time is likely up:

 

Hall, Hart, & Gross are a formidable starting OF, both offensively and defensively. Jenkins is not that pricey, but let's be honest, with the young talent in place, and a legitimate starting OF already in existence, the money can be better spent elsewhere, especially if trading Jenks can yield BP help, especially the LH kind.

[valpocrewsader]

Quote:

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It seems like the board consensus in this thread and many others, is that he is pretty much worthless and the Brewers need to dump him for nothing ASAP.

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It's funny, you think that most of the board wants to trade him for a bag of balls, I read the same posts and feel like most of the board is happy keeping him and giving him another chance. Perspective, I guess.

[jackalope02ca]

If we didn't have to pick up any of the salary a bag of balls would be a great return for Jenkins.

 

Mench is worth more as he is still seen as a player with potential by many teams. I would think we would get a pretty good prospect or bullpen arm for him.

[sbrylski]

Of course, it all depends on the return.

[bigredrobbo]

Whichever one goes, the other will be the Brewerfan.net whipping boy. On that you can be sure...