Follow along: The Werth Timeline
Is anybody hearing that Jayson Werth is going to retire, donate his facial hair to Follicles of Love, and spend the next five years studying at a former South Beach IHOP that Ricky Williams has converted into a yoga studio?
Follow along: The Werth Timeline
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Is anybody hearing that Jayson Werth is going to retire, donate his facial hair to Follicles of Love, and spend the next five years studying at a former South Beach IHOP that Ricky Williams has converted into a yoga studio?
Because that might be the only thing that people aren't hearing right now.
Here is the official High Cheese timeline, geared toward those who may have spent part of the last couple months trapped in a Chilean mine or drifting on a powerless cruise ship in the middle of an ocean:
Oct. 25, 11 a.m. - In his year-end press conference, Ruben Amaro Jr. says the Phillies have the resources to re-sign Werth.
"‘Do we have enough money to do it, and would we like to bring him back?’ The answer to both questions is yes," Amaro says. "However, that’ll all kind of depend on what the ask is, and ultimately how that will affect us with other possible moves we would have to make to do that.”
Oct. 25, 2 p.m. - In his year-end press conference, Werth says the Phillies have the resources to re-sign him.
"They could probably sign whoever they want," Werth says. "Whether or not that's me, we'll have to wait and see."
Nov. 10, 11 p.m. - In his well-respected column on ESPN.com, former Philadelphia Inquirer baseball writer Jayson Stark quotes a "Phillies source" on "the odds of his team finding a way to keep Jayson Werth."
"No chance," the source says. "None. Zero."
Who is the source? The only thing we can say for sure is that the source is not the Phillie Phanatic. Because, well, the Phanatic does not speak.
Now, if the source had responded to the Werth question by sticking out his tongue and thrusting his stomach. . .
On the other hand. . .
Nov. 12, 9 p.m. - Sports Illustrated/MLB Network scribe Jon Heyman offers a rebuttal:
"Heard Phils making big push to keep Werth," Heyman writes on Twitter.
It looks like we've got ourselves a good old-fashioned Showcase Showdown.
But wait!
Nov. 13, 9 a.m. - Heyman clarifies previous dispatch about the Werth situation.
"want to repeat, i dont see much chance werth signs back w philly quickly," he Twitters. "still see red sox as favorite tho phils r trying."
So the Phillies are pushing to sign Werth, but they aren't pushing hard enough. Although, upon further examination, that might have been an errant text message he hurriedly typed at a crowded bar.
Nov. 13, 10:15 a.m. - Stark checks back in to clarify the quote from his source.
". . .quote didn't mean to imply #Phillies aren't trying - but not at years & $$ Boras looking for," he writes on Twitter.
And, finally. . .
Nov. 13, 11 a.m. - The hardest working man in the Baseball Media Biz, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and MLB Network, puts the situation into the following context:
"Phillies' push to sign Werth is to provide PR cover," he writes. "They can say they tried, made him big offer. No way Boras signs Werth this early."
Put all of this together, and here is what you have:
The Phillies have enough money to sign Werth, but they don't think it prudent to spend the type of money over the type of length that Werth and Boras are seeking, so they know that they won't end up signing him, but they are going to make one last offer anyway, and they want people to interpret that last offer as them trying their darndest to re-sign a player whose departure, at least on paper, will leave a sizeable hole in their batting order.
Which, from everything that I have heard and witnessed over the past six months, is a pretty fair representation of Reality.
One thing you can count on: the Phillies don't want this thing hanging over their heads the entire offseason (remember, Boras has no problem taking his time with negotiations). And since they seem to be working on a limited budget, there will likely come a time when they have to take their standing offer off the table and start deploying those resources elsewhere. I wouldn't be surprised to hear Amaro announce something of the sort in the near future, perhaps as soon as the GM meetings, which begin in Orlando on Tuesday.
Something like:
"Unfortunately, we have reached a point in time where we realize we will not be able to meet the expectations Scott and Jayson have. We made what we feel like is a competitive offer that would have made Jayson the highest-paid outfielder in Phillies history. But we can't afford to put everything else on hold and risk missing out on the various other improvements that we feel will keep our club in contention to win another World Series. We plan on offering Jayson arbitration, but at this point in time we have made our best multi-year offer, and it has been rejected. We wish Jayson all the best."
You may now return to your latest Cam Newton development.
Does anyone know what Werth and Boras are asking for? If it's a ridiculous price, I hope the Phils DO move on.- Does anybody truly know? Unless it's Werth and Boras, no, and they might not have a firm figure. The initial demand is likely to be 7 years/$150 million, but it remains to be seen if this is real or simply an attempt to create a high starting point. (My bet is on the latter)
For an early sign, however, the figure they will really ask for (IMO) will be about 6 years/$110-120 million. That is, that is my projection of what the Phillies would have to agree to for an early sign, which is the only way the Phillies are saying they will play it.
An alternative scenario is not Boras's usual drag it on and on strategy, but the Madson one. This would require Werth to decide he wants to stay in Philly and is willing to forgo the chance at truly top dollar. (Note that's a chance, not a certainty). This would come in at (my guess) 5 years/$90-100 million.— judas_priest - Let the Red Sox bid against themselves.— Dull
- He's a nice muli-tool player who hit .185 with RISP last year. He's known for post-season heroics -- because of of the team he's on. If he played for Kansas City, Baltimore, Pittsburgh or about 18 other teams, he'd he a nice guy to pick up, but by no means a stud. I hate how he and Boras are handling them. Hope he signs with the Mets and joins Jason Bay in Miseryville.— eman
- according to csn philly werths asking price as a free agent has dropped— ccutter50
- Boras is not to be trusted. Let Boston or some other team deal with him. He oversold J.D.Drew too.— Rick Wise Guy
- well done, Murph. sounds about right. the only wild card would be if Jayson simply wanted to remain a Phillie. but it's hard to imagine jayson leaving dozens of millions over numerous years on the table for such a privilege. halladay aside, the other starters received contracts at close to market. werth deserves the same. RAJ will be busy and dizzy spinning the decision not to retain werth. it's gonna hurt.— defg0003
- I agree with Rick Wise Guy. Let the Red Sox have him. There he can look up and from second or third place all year and remember when he played for something. It's all about the money. And I agree with eman also I don't like the way Borass or Werth are handling this. Hope it's over soon.— bossrjc
- I get the fact that Werth has one big contract coming his way & its this one. If he really did love playing here, like he says, he should give the Phils a last shot to match any last offer. Lastly, Rollins may be starting to hit the downside of a fine career & maybe the Phils should do like the Eagles & let JRoll go & put that money towards Werth.— yobill626
- This is really great "post-modern age" reporting, David. There's such clutter out there, most of it inaccurate and ill-expressed. In this one small case, you waded into the muck to discern the truth behind the scenes. Sure, it's the truth we pretty much expected. But you substantiate it. Rosenthal, et al, have nothing on you.— PhilaLogic
- Great article Murph. I absolutely love JW.....think his value to the Phillies is comparable to Utley's. But.....if Boras can get more than a 4 year guaranteed contract, regardless of the annual salary, I say do it. I guess what I'm saying is this, the Phils can affort $15/17 mil a year, but not beyond 3 years + an option for 4th. If Boras can get THAT for Werth (from another team), he's done his job well. Out DAAB.— dri_as_a_bone
- Where were all these other teams when he was milling around unproven and when he was hurt or not hurt? he gets the chance that nobody else was giving him and now the chance that Gillick and Chawley gave him will be rewarded by saying goodbye because of 1 year or 1 million! Go F888 yourself if you do that Mr. Werth!!!— sawgrass
Comment removed.- I think the asssesment that the Phils are up against the clock is probably the closest to reality. The System built by MLB does not favor the parent club resigning their player as he goes to free agency. The Phils did not come to terms with Jason during the season and while Jason gave them a chance then ala Billy Wagner, they once again are behind the 8 ball. If you combine that fact with the rumors I think you will see Jason playing somewhere else next season. His numbers are just tools used to keep salary in range for the Phils to sign him. When he leaves who will follow Howard? That is the pressing question that must be addressed.— Wally 24
- I know Jayson Werth is the hot topic of the offseason, but in all seriousness... Loss of Lopes > Loss of Werth. It'd be nice to keep that beard around as long as possible, but with those RISP numbers, I'd be wary of spending too much.— kingremi
