Phillies Determine Fifth Starter, Cut Ties With Outfielder

Geoff Jenkins was released by the Philadelphia Phillies today.

Jenkins hit a crucial double in the sixth inning of Game Five of the World Series to put the Phillies in position to take a lead, yet it wasn't enough to keep him for the 2009 season.

Jenkins was a fan-favorite and an all-around good guy, yet his lackluster .246 batting average, nine home runs, and 29 RBI in 115 games didn't impress the Phillies brass enough to keep him around.

Jenkins was due $8 million this upcoming season, and the Phillies felt his play didn't match the pay.

Ironically, Gary Sheffield was released by the Tigers a few hours before Jenkins was released. According to MLB.com, the Phillies contacted Sheffield's agent.

The Phillies would only have to pay Sheffield around $400,000, and Sheffield is a right-handed power bat, which is exactly what the Phillies have been looking for. His age has shown in recent years, yet this helps the Phillies right where they need help.

At first, it looked that the final position spot would go to Miguel Cairo or Jenkins. With Jenkins cut, it appeared Cairo would receive the final spot.

Yet if Sheffield, who has 499 career home runs, signs with the Phillies, Cairo could also be out of a job along with Jenkins.

Either way, look for more minor changes later this week from the Phillies as they prepare for Opening Day.

Later in the day, the Phillies announced a change that came within the organization by announcing their choice as the fifth starter in the rotation.

To the surprise of many, the choice was Chan Ho Park.

Coming into spring training, most did think Park was the favorite at that time. Yet, as camp went on, it was perceived that the other final candidate, J.A. Happ, would be a better fit for the rotation and Park would be better suited in the bullpen.

Apparently not. Park was given the job he came to Philadelphia for.

His endless work has payed off and he has been given the job he wanted from the start.

Park's six-inning, one earned run performance in his final spring training game may have put him over the top. The performance lifted his spring ERA to 2.45 in five games. Hard to resist making that guy the fifth starter.

Happ, who will be fit into the bullpen or sent down to Triple-A, finished the spring with a 3.15 ERA in six games.

If Happ is, in fact, sent to the bullpen, a place where he struggled last season (7.88 ERA in eight IP,) he would still likely be next in line for the rotation if one of the initial five starters goes down.

Sources: MLB.com