Yeah, it’s not looking good for Jayson Werth to return to the Phillies in 2011.
I try to look at stuff from a less emotional point of view when it comes to money. Really, that’s all this is about.
Money.
Jayson Werth wants it. If he wanted us, meaning Phillies fans, he would have accepted a contract already.
Putting into that line of sight.. if Werth doesn’t want us, cares more about money than us… should we really want him?
Sure he was on our team since 2007 and had a breakout year in 2008 when the Phillies took the World Series title. He helped the Phillies to 4 straight post season appearances. But do we really, and I mean Really, want him back if he’s going to snub us for the glittery gold and attention received of a media fueled free agency?
Looking at his stats:
Prior to 2007 he hit over .250 just once, .262 in 2004 with the Dodgers.
He has not hit over 100 RBI in any season, his high being 99 in 2009. He drives in runs, but not big time.
He has never hit over .300. He hits well, but not great.
He has only a handful of triples and hasn’t gone beyond 20 stolen bases in any season. He has speed but not great speed.
He struck out 119 times in 2008, 156 in 2009 and 147 in 2010.
The only aspect of Jayson Werth that could be deemed as great is his fielding. Strong arm and solid instincts in the outfield.
Looking at what I just typed.. you could say Werth is a one tool player.
A Kindergarten grade scale consists of 3 grades. (At least it did when I was there)
O for Outstanding
S for Satisfactory
N for Not Satisfactory
My grades for him would be:
Fielding – O
Hitting for average – S
Hitting for power – S
Driving in runs – S
Speed – S
Strikeout ratio – N
Seems pretty average when you look at it. Slightly above the average MLB player but well below the superstar status that the media has given him.
A lesson I learned early in my Marine Corps career was that rewards are not based upon what you have done, they are based upon what your potential for the future is.
What is Jayson Werth’s potential? Could he be the level of Babe Ruth being sold to the Yankees or could he be another Dontrell Willis who gets paid and cut soon after.
Werth is 31 now.. of average age in the Major Leagues nowadays. A youngster by Jamie Moyer standards. How many years does he have left?
What I believe will happen is that Werth will get paid. He will get a multiyear multi million dollar contract from someone. He will have to adjust to a new team, new coworkers, a new manager and possibly a new league.
So to answer my own question.. “Do I want Jayson Werth?” My answer is no. If money is all that matters to him.. he can have it. I will keep my Phillie hat and jersey and root for whoever stands tall in right field at Citizen’s Bank Park.
OinK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Werth is far from irreplaceable.
Surely, with a little bit of scouting and research, the Phillies can find someone to produce a pile of “S” ratings for less money.
I certainly do not begrudge ANY player for seeking the biggest contract he can get – the player has an obligation to himself and his family.
However, the team has economic responsibilities of their own. The Phillies should shed neither excessive salary or tears for Werth.
Beyond defensive ability, three additional words define Jason’s “worth” to the Phillies…. Right handed bat.
Yes, they probably can and should find someone who can put up equal offensive stats for less money but they desperately need this production with at least moderate power from the right hand side. The question thus becomes what realistic available options are out there to fill this need and what will they cost to get?
Good points. That makes me wonder.. what right handed bats are out there right now?
If he would be fully healthy, Magglio Ordonez would be a nice two year contract pick up.
His main issues are health, coming off of a major injury, and age.
Werth was considerably more valuable than his numbers look at first blush. He walks a lot, hit 46 doubles, and had the highest slugging average on the team. All that led to an OPS of 145, which was higher than anyone on the Phillies by nearly 20 points. Add in his excellent fielding, and you could make a strong case for Werth being the most valuable non-pitcher on the team.
Sure, his RBI numbers aren’t outstanding. But I attribute that to Jimmy Rollings having a bad year and Chase Utley missing about 40 games. That significantly reduced his opportunities to drive in runs.
Strikeouts … feh. Mickey Mantle struck out a lot, too. K’s really don’t significantly hurt a player’s value.
Now, does that make me want to re-sign Werth? Not necessarily, especially if his asking price is too high. But it IS a little worrisome to let a demonstrably productive player go, when so many of his teammates are getting long in the tooth.
WERTH—i love the “surfer dude”—but $15 mil a year is a joke. If we would of signed rowand a couple years back, the starting pitchers in 2010–Hamels, Blanton, Moyer, Kendrick—that’s correct no Halladay no Oswalt–and Hamels with noone to push him—can you say ERA over 4!! Adam Dunn signed today fro $14 mil a year–so all that did was move Werth up to $18 Mil–enough said—–PHILLY PRETZEL
One more thought, Did Dan ever graduate from kindergarden? Voting ends at midnight————————seriously, i just started reading this blog—and just want it noted that Dan is awesome, and a great leader in the ballpark. I wish fans everywhere loved sports like Dan, and respected the athletes like the “noise nation crew”—when i first met this crew i thought they were a bunch of drunk jokers—FAR FROM IT—anyone is welcome in the nation, send your kids out for an inning to become real fans!! Keep up the great work out there, if the crew ever needs anything, we are ther for you guys—–PHILLY PRETZEL
Thanks for the kind words Bert! You guys are the best outfield neighbors! Well, Scott and Annemarie are right there with you. A great crew in the outfield! 🙂
Hey, I go back to the early 60s, sarge… and “OSN” was definitely around then, too.