Freddy and Jayson may just have to figure out a way to get along
December 19
2006
The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that the Phillies have reached an agreement with 27-year-old right-handed outfielder Jayson Werth.
Werth was a first-round
draft pick of the Orioles in 1997. In December, 2000, he was traded to the
Blue Jays for John Bale. In March, 2004, he went from the Blue Jays to the
Dodgers for Jason Frasor.
Werth never got more than 50 at-bats in a season with the Blue Jays but
shined in 2004 with the Dodgers, hitting 262/338/486 with 16 home runs in
just 290 at-bats. In the 2004 NLDS, Werth went 4-for-14 with two home runs
as the Dodgers fell to the Cardinals in four games. Since 2004 his career
has been a story of a major injury.
Werth was hit by a pitch during Spring Training of 2005, breaking his left
wrist. The injury has plagued his career ever since. He would go on to get
337 at-bats in '05 after suffering the injury and struggled mightily,
hitting 234/338/374. This
article suggests Werth is still having some soreness in his wrist and
makes it sounds as if he may be a ways from being back to '04 form.
Werth is a player with a
tremendous upside and a lot of ifs. But a healthy Werth would be a big
addition to the Phillies, who are in need of another right-handed bat. To
hit 16 home runs in 290 at-bats in Dodger Stadium at age 25 is impressive.
He is, however, going to have to demonstrate to a lot of people that he is
healthy.
The addition of a healthy Werth would give the Phillies five outfielders.
During the 2005 season, Werth played 30 games in center field for the
Dodgers, although you would have to believe he can't bring nearly the
defense that Victorino or Rowand would offer. I still would not be
surprised to see the Phillies trade Rowand and give the full-time center
field job to Victorino. It seems that Victorino would do a better job as a
full-time right fielder than Conine, but much less clear he would be a
better option than a Werth with his wrist problems finally behind him. The
addition of a right-handed bat like Werth might make a trade of the
right-handed Rowand more likely for the lefty-heavy Phils.
That said, it would be a mistake to pencil Werth in anywhere until he
demonstrates he's healthy. And it's not clear at all how long that might
take.
It's arguable, however, that if he signs he'll become the second-best offensive outfielder in the Phillies' organization.