Nats Break The Bank - With baseball now entering its hot stove stages of the offseason, a chess match breaks out as teams begin shifting their pieces in hopes of a title run. Coming into this year's Winter Meetings held in Orlando, Florida, pitcher Cliff Lee and outfielder Carl Crawford were among the bigger names available via free agency. But with the ridiculously large amount of cash the Washington Nationals dished out to outfielder Jayson Werth, one would think otherwise. Filling the void of the All-Star slugging Adam Dunn who agreed to terms with the Chicago White Sox, Werth inked a 7-year deal worth $126 Million dollars, joining Barry Zito and Alfonso Soriano as one of the biggest over payed contracts in recent years.
Although neither Soriano(8-years, $136M), or Zito(7-years, $126M) have lived up to their lucrative contracts thus far, at least both players had seasons somewhat worth the money they were given, prior to signing their deals. This is in no way, shape, or form a bash on Jayson Werth, but rather the Nationals organization for spending an absurd amount of money on a player simply not worthy of it. After all, Werth just signed on the dotted line as I'm sure anyone would. Being named to the All-Star team for the first time in his career in 2010, Werth benefited from playing in a hitters ballpark and hitting alongside offensive juggernauts such as Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard among others.
To his defense, Werth, who had arguably his best season in the Majors, did tend to shine brightest this past season when Philadelphia endured a handful of injures which included former MVP Jimmy Rollins, and the aforementioned duo of Utley and Howard who is also a former MVP. But at age 31, it would be hard to argue Werth hasn't already peaked. However, Nats general manager Mike Rizzo and skipper Jim Riggleman would argue that his better days are yet to come. Then again that's obvious, given how much money they've invested in him. Whether or not that's true, the Nationals will have their man locked up for many years to come until the 2018 season.
Although Werth will experience a decrease in talent, leaving a team that has won four consecutive NL East pennants for a ball club that has placed last in three straight seasons, the Nationals do have a star in third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, and have yet to see what last year's first overall pick and phenom -- Bryce Harper is capable of at the big league level. Not to be forgotten is the first overall pick of 2009's Draft, Stephen Strasburg who will miss all of next season due to Tommy John surgery. With all that taken into account, the future looks very bright for the Nationals organization.
What the deal does for the rest of remaining 2011 free agents yet to sign, only adds dollar signs to their wallet. With all due respect, if Werth can make Zito-like money, I'm convinced Crawford can make Soriano-like money. But above all, it sets up Albert Pujols who's seeking an extension from the St. Louis Cardinals, that I'm guessing will range somewhere near A-Rod territory (10-year, $275 Million).
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