Geoff

Jenkins

When the Brewers have had money to spend, they’ve tended to use it badly. But GM Doug Melvin can change that this winter. Bringing a No. 2 starter and then using what’s left over to ink some useful veterans to one-year deals would be the best plan. They don’t need to block any of their better prospects by signing average position players to long-term deals.

This should lead to new and exciting ways for Jenkins to injure himself. Still to be determined is whether he’ll bat third or fifth. Lee is locked into the cleanup spot. Lyle Overbay should probably bat third over Jenkins.

Jenkins is hitting .254 overall, but he has arrived there by hitting .500 one week followed by a week of .100. The good news is that this means another hot streak is around the corner.

Jenkins, who has been taking part in light hitting drills, could start playing in minor league camp by this weekend. The Brewers probably will keep him out of big-league games in order to protect their right to retro date his stay on the disabled list.

Jenkins has resumed taking batting practice.

“‘Jenks’ has been going so hard,” Yost said. “He had strep throat in spring training and he hasn’t had a day off since he came back.” Jenkins is fine to use this week.

Jenkins has been sidelined two weeks with a sprained left wrist.

Jenkins appears to be asking for $32 million over four years, a figure he might be worth if he could be expected to play in 150 games per season. Unfortunately, injuries have prevented him from ever playing in more than 135 games. Trot Nixon just settled for $19.5 million over three years, and Jenkins should consider himself fortunate that the Brewers are willing to offer him a similar deal. If he doesn’t agree to terms before his deadline, the Brewers figure to trade him rather than risk losing him as a free agent after the season.

Jenkins had hoped to play this week, but that no longer appears to be a possibility.

Jenkins has set a Thursday deadline for the end of negotiations. “We made some progress today,” GM Doug Melvin said. “I guess you could say I’m optimistic.” The Brewers are thought to be offering a three-year deal for about $20 million. Jenkins is thought to be seeking a four-year deal for about $32 million.