We know what Scott Boas does. He barters and bitches his way into the best possible contract for his client, but this is insane. Jayson Werth shocked the world yesterday when he signed a 7-year, $126 million contract with the Natty Lights.
A lot of Phillians are upset at The Bearded Lady for chasing the money here, but let's get real. Yes, the Phillies are more likely than the Nats to win a World Series in the next seven years, but Werth already won a championship two years ago. Werth was offered an insane amount of money, guaranteed, to last him throughout the rest of his playing career. In my opinion, he had to jump on it.
After three above average seasons, Werth gets to cash in at the age of 31. I honestly can't help but feel happy for the guy. There is not nearly as much pressure on him in Washington than there is in Philly and he gets to be the star of the show for more money, rather than being the third or fourth best player for less money.
Werth turns 32 in May, which means he will be making $18 million when he is 39 years old. Come on, how many MLB players can say that? Nearly zero. Not Jeter and not Rivera, for example. Even though both are players who have accomplished far more than Werth has in his career.
Also, it needs to be said that it is ridiculous that he will be making more than Matt Holliday, another Boras client, who signed for only 7-years, $120 million last year. Holliday, who is a year younger than Werth, had an off-year by his standards in 2010 and still outproduced The Beard. However, he makes less money per year with the same length of deal and same agent as Werth.
But that's how free agency works I guess. In a weak free agent class like the one in 2010, the Nats go ahead and overpay for Werth. Yet in 2009, the Cardinals nabbed Holliday for a pretty solid deal. It also needs to be said that Holliday might have taken less to stay with St. Louis and chase a championship with Phat Albert.
There are just so many factors that go into contracts, just ask the Nats. Obviously, you wouldn't think of Washington as a team to invest a large amount of money in a 31-year old player. Especially when they have not retained talented players such as Adam Dunn and Alfonso Soriano. So why now? Why Jayson Werth?
I think the Nats are blinded by their young, unproven talent that now stands at the major league level. Strasburg is a stud, but he is out for all of 2011 and his future is really uncertain. Zimmerman the third baseman is a great player... that is all. Willingham is a good player, but nothing outstanding. Zimmermann the pitcher has good potential, but is just back from TJ surgery. Desmond is a pretty good option at shortstop. Espinosa has a good future at second base. Drew Storen is a solid closer for the future.
But this team is hardly good enough to compete for the World Series, let alone the National League, let alone the NL East. This deal just doesn't make any sense for them at all. Werth isn't known as a great leader or anything, but I guess he didn't really have the opportunity in Philadelphia.
In all reality, Werth is a solid player, but isn't worth nearly as much as his new salary indicates. Which makes the deal an absolute steal from his point of view. But for Washington, this signing can't net them more than five additional wins from last year. They would have been better to invest this money in the draft or on short-term free agents for the next few years. This was a huge mistake for the ex-Expos.
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