Washington Nationals should avoid one-year deal with Werth
After seven seasons with the Washington Nationals, Jayson Werth is headed to free agency. This doesn’t mean that he won’t return to D.C. next year, but does it make sense for them to ink a one-year deal?
Outfielder Jayson Werth is credited with helping to turn the Washington Nationals franchise around. After blooming with the Philadelphia Phillies in his four years there, Werth hit the free agent market for a big deal.
He got just that when the Nationals signed him to a mega seven-year deal worth $126 million, which money is ridiculous for any player let alone a guy with only one All-Star selection.
Regardless, Werth produced and helped shape the Nationals into the powerhouse they have become. Washington was no longer a team free agents passed on. It became a destination.
Now that the contract has expired, the Nationals and Werth each face a decision: is this the end of the relationship?
Werth is already 38-years-old and producing less and less each season. Health is the obvious concern at this stage. Last season’s 70 games played was the fewest of his MLB career since 2006 when he didn’t play a single big league game.
It was a year without much power or much of anything else. Werth slashed a pitiful .226/.322/.393. When he returned from the disabled list in late August, Werth added only two more home runs. Without the power, it’s hard to imagine Werth having much value at all.
How could Werth fit in next season?
If Werth doesn’t decide to retire this winter, a one-year deal is all he’ll get.
Even that seems like a reach based on how many other players with similar abilities are out there. For instance, ex-Nationals’ first baseman/outfielder Adam Lind is a free agent and someone coming off of a much better season.
Washington could always still reunite with him as their refusal to pay him $5 million was likely the deciding factor in not picking up his option.
The Washington Nationals’ outfield should shape up in an interesting manner this for next year. Right field belongs to Bryce Harper and either center field or left field will go to Adam Eaton.
It’s the last spot that will presumably go to Michael Taylor following his breakout campaign, leaving the Nationals without a starting role for Werth, which may be the plan should they decide to keep the flame burning.
According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the idea of a one-year deal looks possible. Werth would likely need to accept a bench role, which itself would fill up the Nationals’ roster.
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Hypothetically, if Harper is in right field, Taylor is in center field, and Easton takes over in left field then the Nationals’ bench could include Werth and outfielder Brian Goodwin, meaning Victor Robles’ permanent stay in MLB will need to wait.
This alignment isn’t the worst plan, but does it make the Nationals better?
Werth is only useful against left-handed pitchers, so I don’t see him starting much. He could pinch hit regularly versus southpaws, but playing irregularly, though, is not something every player can do well.
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Werth’s bat could quickly go cold and his roster presence could ultimately backfire. Due to his own limitations, why not use Robles whose defense and speed could give the Nationals a greater weapon off the bench?
There are not many jobs out there for a right-handed corner outfielder nearing retirement. If the Washington Nationals pass on Werth, it might confirm his retirement.