By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor
According to reports, Jayson Werth has had his eye on the prize the whole time — the free agent bank-busting prize.
The future former Phillies star outfielder turned down a Jason Bay-type offer from the Fightins. Bay inked a four-year $66million deal last winter.
On one hand, that is smart since Werth wants a Matt Holliday type deal ($120 million neighborhood). And, he’ll likely get more than Bay on the open market.
Jayson Werth has his victory cigar ready. All he needs is for Scott Boras to make some team get on its knees.
On the other hand, it is a bit of a risk in that he may not be on a team that can hide his lack of RISP performance as well as Philly, nor an environment as fun as Philly. Plus, he may have lost a bit of bargaining power with reports circulating that the Yankees have zero interest in Werth.
Honestly, the Yankees and Red Sox figured to be the teams who would break the bank for Werth. With the Yankees out of the mix, the Red Sox are still in play. But, will they go crazy for Werth? Time will tell.
We still wouldn’t be shocked to see Werth back here. Surprised? A bit. But not shocked. It comes down to weather whether Werth can find a six or seven year deal on the open market. If not, the Phils can compete with anyone on terms of a three year contract.
NO MATTER WHERE WERTH WILL BE NEXT YEAR ,THE PHILLIES WILL BE THE 2011 WORLD CHAMPIONS. I HAVE BEEN A PHILLIES FAN FOR 51 YEARS.
Let Jayson go, not that he hasn’t been a great part of this Phillies team. But, as the NLCS made clear, the Phillies must inject some youth and energy into this team. Even saw a suggestion that they try to bring in Larry Bowa as a coach.
I agree the Fightins will be back in 2011 and win it all with an improved hitting lineup and outfield! My family is the most phanatic fans in Florida! I am from Philly and bleed Phillies red and Eagles green!
Only 51 years! Move back in the line. I saw my 1st game when Richie Ashburn was rookie. Rode the train from HBG for some of those great week-end double-headers.
I AGREE WITH ALPHONSE
Haven’t been a fan that long (been a fan since 1993). I hope Werth stays but am sure the Phillies will be fine with out him. Can you believe Vegas has them as tops to win the series next year? 4-1 odds…wow, never thought I’d see that as a Phillies fan.
Phils will be in it next year without Werth. I live in Vegas might get down to the book and see those odds on the board. Bowa as 1st base coach?
Anyone who thinks the Phillies will be “fine” w/o Werth probably doesn’t understand the team line-up well. It’ll be interesting to see Ryan Howard’s numbers w/o Werth behind him. Contrary to a post or two here, Werth has been a huge part of this team. You only have to ck-out the vids at the Phillies site from Sept on to see they wouldn’t have gone to the NLCS w/o him + he was one of few who played hard in the final games.
I might not believe this planted “news” story about an alleged offer either. Just because Jon Heyman in SI printed it doesn’t make it true. He’s only putting info out there that a mole in the FO told him to say. Without a name to back it up, or a time when this was “discussed” I doubt it ever happened. Werth’s ex-agent said back in May the FO refused to speak to him at all & Werth said he & his agent decided to take the season & see how he played before they talked about a contract. So I don’t believe this.
Hey, Bill G, Ashburn was only eight years old when I saw my first game in 1935. I was ten.
Good article Frank – but please look back on the last paragraph and correct the glaring typo (think homonym) – these kind of careless errors erode credibility.
Thanks. Can’t believe I did that and failed to capiltalize “if.” I’ll fix them when I get back to ny computer.
Let JW go… he got a RING… let some one else, hopefully a good hitter who wants 2 win… GO GET
“BARRY BONDS”… he needs the ring or the guy The “Dodgers” just let go… I live in Anaheim, Ca. and The “Angels” are here… no matter what
I’m a PHILLY FAN 4 LIFE… born and raised…
Does anyone edit these articles before they are uploaded? Or, do you simply trust “spell check”? Last paragraph in article, ‘It comes down to weather Werth ….. ” . Shouldn’t it be ‘whether Werth …..”? I shoulda’ been an editor ….
Dominic Brown in Left Field, Victorino in Center and Werth in Right Field. Don’t see why both parties (Camp Werth & Phillies) can’t work something out. We work well together as “doubtful” pointed out in his comment. Thankyou Rauuuuuul, you will be loved and remembered! I would have given Lopes whatever he fairly wanted. Davey, thankyou – you will be missed too! You are a genious at reading the pitcher. Ross Gload, good luck and Ben Francisco …. just not quite sure about you being here next season as well …..if not, I wish you well too. After all, Mayberry is waiting in the wings too! To all the players that have been here since we WON the series three years ago and may be departing …. THANK YOU! Now about our pitching staff …. other than our 1-2-3 punch … any suggestions?
Again: Sorry for the typo. Fixing it now. I never proclaim to be perfect. Stupid mistake, I know.
I think Werth is worthless. I’d rather see the Phils find someone who can knock in runs with players in scoring position. I can not believe Werth thinks his value is more than Bays when he has never had a 100 RBI season. The Phils made a huge mistake signing Howard to 25 mil, and Blanton for 10 mil. Amaro can’t keep spending so much money on cr@p.
hey tommy a. maybe you need the proof reader, its genius not genious. go phillies!
Trade Hamels to Marlins, for Mike Stanton.
jason is a greedy pig. I love him as a player but isn’t 66million dollars enough for him to stay here? If he leaves i’m gonna boo him everytime he comes to philly
let him go. he can become another rolen
I like Jason but think we have enough without him. I think he will be sorry but guess he has to get while the gettin is good.
This is is the only time he will ge this chance in his career, a 31, he wont ge his opportunity ever again. Why wouln he see whats what? And noone said anyhing abou 66 mil, that was Bays deal. If he falls off mid 3 year deal, he might not get shit in 3 years, has why he wans a long term deal. Job Security, and the one big pay day everyone wants. I hope the Phils make the offer. We need a big right handed bat, and good fielder. Dom Brown is another lefty. But if they gave Ibanez, a 36 year old 12 mil, Werth has to get more than that from us. The Phils have the cash. They jus have a self imposed cap. If they wanna keep selling out, they better keep the winning ways up, and letting our only right handed threat go isnt a step in that direction.
my t button seems to be getting stuck! LOL