{image1} The Brewers flailed their way through two more difficult offensive series last week. While they managed to beat the Yankees twice despite scoring just nine runs in three games, that same output got them swept in Philadelphia. The problem in the first two months was hitting with men in scoring position, but Sunday's five-hit, four-men-left-on outing shows that simply getting on base has become a challenge.

Junior Spivey was the first to pay the price for this offensive inconsistency when he was dealt for Tomo Ohka last Friday. Spivey, pegged by manager Ned Yost as a key cog in the offense all spring, was hitting just .236 with 57 strikeouts at the time of the deal. Bill Hall's improvements at the plate -- as well as Rickie Weeks' development at AAA -- made Spivey expendable.

Spivey's deal begs the question: If the offensive troubles continue, who's next? Which begs another question: Would the Brewers ever trade Geoff Jenkins?

Arguably, Jenkins has been a bigger offensive disappointment than Spivey. Another 0-for-4 Sunday dropped his average to .237, his on-base percentage to .323 and, most damning, his slugging percentage to .374. He has 23 RBI in 58 games -- that's two less than leadoff man Brady Clark and just eight more than Russell Branyan, who has 122 fewer at-bats.

Were Jenkins nearly any other player on the roster, he may already be gone. But the 30-year-old right fielder has a few things going for him. First of all, he's a fabulous defensive outfielder, even with his move to right this season. His running, lunging grab of a Derek Jeter liner to end Monday's game was typical of his defensive play over the last several years.

Second, he's clearly a good teammate. Jenkins switched positions to pave the way for Carlos Lee despite being a left fielder -- and a very good one -- for his entire pro career. Lee was very appreciative of the move publicly, and he's been comfortable enough in Milwaukee to lead the majors in RBI thus far. That kindness extends into the community, where Jenkins has been active in United Way and other local programs.

Third, Jenkins is a homegrown Brewers star. Originally known for his uncanny resemblance to Brett Favre -- a fact rarely mentioned in light of Jenkins' current struggles -- Jenkins came up through the Brewers farm system after being drafted out of USC. With a big season in 1999 (.313, 21 HR, 82 RBI), many expected Jenkins to have a long, successful career in Milwaukee.

He followed that with a better season in 2000 (.303, 34, 94) despite striking out 135 times. But shoulder problems in 2001 and the gruesome ankle/leg injury in 2002 temporarily derailed his ascendancy. Still, Jenkins returned with arguably his best season in 2003 (.296, 28, 95) before an injury sidelined him for the final month (he was the hottest man on earth before breaking his thumb on a slide in Cincinnati). Heading into 2004, he looked like a vital part of the team's resurgence under new manager Yost.

But last year, something happened. While playing the best defense of his career, Jenkins couldn't seem to get out of the gates offensively. He had just 5 HR and 27 RBI heading into June before surging a bit to reach 12 and 48 by the All-Star break. A solid second half gave him respectable totals (.264, 27, 93), but a career-high 152 whiffs were a better indication of his disappointing season.

This year, Jenkins has started even slower. Fans keep hoping Jenkins will "get hot" or "break out of his slump," but perhaps his current performance is more the norm than his periodic hot streaks. A mainstay in the three-hole for much of the season, Yost has begun hitting Jenkins sixth in an effort to reduce pressure on his slugger and induce some performance.

Of course, the giant elephant in the room is Jenkins' contract, which will pay him $7.33 million this season, second only to Lee's $8 million. With Spivey now gone, the Brewers have only six players making better than $2 million (not including Ohka, who will make $2.75 this year); the others are Ben Sheets ($6.00), Damian Miller ($3.25), Wes Helms ($2.81) and Doug Davis ($2.05).

I'm not trying to start a "Trade Jenkins" drumbeat. Despite all his offensive problems, Jenkins is still a key component in the Brewers' quest for respectability. But as his numbers stagnate and the youth movement begins to flower in Milwaukee, does it really make sense to keep him around? Being a fickle sort, I can see that question dissipating if Jenkins hits .375 between now and the end of July.

It's doubtful the Brewers are actively shopping Jenkins, but I'm sure Doug Melvin would listen if his name came up in discussions. How valuable would Jenkins be to a contender come the end of July? This may be the year we find out.