Phillies Acquire Another Big Bat for 2008 (Assuming He Makes Contact)

The Phillies made two additions to the 2008 ballclub, and to this I say...Huh??? Left handed hitting outfielder Geoff Jenkins and Pitcher Chad Durbin were in Philadelphia yesterday taking their physicals and signing their new deals with the team. Let's take a minute to review the signings and see just what impact to expect, if any, they will have on next season's attempt to return to the playoffs. I'll start with the 33 year old Jenkins, the first thing you notice are his power numbers. 212 HR's in nine seasons is pretty explosive, and when you factor in him hitting at Citizen's Bank Ballpark you would think his numbers could only improve. That seems fine for the average fan and for replacing the pop in the lineup to fill the void of losing free agent Aaron Rowand. But didn't the Brewers have major problems with him slumping last year and tried to phase him out of their plans to have a better shot at making the post season? Anyway, Jenkins has struckout at the plate over 116 times in 7 of his 9 seasons. Not exactly what this lineup needs as far as on base percentage goes (.319 in 2007), and everyone already knows the lineup is filled with lefties and that they needed a power hitting right handed batter. Philadelphia already has enough strikeout victims in their lineup with Ryan Howard (199), Pat Burrell (120), and Jayson Werth (73 in 255 AB's). I figure they needed someone to replace Rowand's 119 K's from last year too. While he might hit some long balls at home, and he does know the National League pretty well (having spent his entire career with Milwaukee), I don't think he's the type of clubhouse guy they needed and certainly not a replacement for Rowand or Michael Bourn (who was traded to the Astros in the Brad Lidge deal) defensively. He will be platooning in rightfield with Werth and ocasionally filling in for Burrell in leftfield, so I guess he was the best free agent still on the market for that role. His contract was for 2 years and an estimated $13M with extra incentives and bonuses. Not sure what number he'll wear this year since Burrell wears his famed #5. How many Durbin's can one team acquire? Last year many of us Phillies fans watched J.D. Durbin struggle on the mound in the early going until he seemed to find his way later in the season. Yesterday they signed 30 year old journeyman Chad Durbin, who's spent most of his 7 year career in the American League. I would have thought that the last thing the Phillies needed on the mound at their homer friendly ballpark was a guy who's had trouble with giving up the long ball, and striking out batters. Durbin posted an ERA of 4.72 last year as a Starter/Reliever with the Tigers. He was summoned to the rotation in June after injuries to many Detroit starters. All in all I think Durbin gives them another arm to look at in camp, and he's a viable 5th starter or long reliever at best.