Werth speaks about contract
Jayson Werth did not want to talk about his new look, a bushy beard and long hair that made you half expect to see him carrying around a Wilson volleyball with a bloody handprint.
Werth speaks about contract
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Jayson Werth did not want to talk about his new look, a bushy beard and long hair that made you half expect to see him carrying around a Wilson volleyball with a bloody hand print.
He did, however, talk about his personal contract situation, which sees him entering 2010 in the final year of a two-year, $10 million deal. The Phillies already have more than $130 million guaranteed to 15 players next season, and they have said they do not expect their payroll to climb much higher than it's current state, which is right around $140 million.
"I think everybody knows the situation," Werth said. "It's no secret. But really, I'm focused on playing baseball and being part of another championship season."
Does he look at the contracts that Jason Bay and Matt Holliday landed -- both signed for more than $15 million annually -- and think he might be in line for a big pay-day?
"I think their situation is a little bit different from mine. I think I'm a season away from something like that, so really I'm just focused on having a good season and being part of something special here again. Really, these guys in here, I've been with them, this is my fourth year here, so it will be interesting to see how it goes, but these guys are great guys and just coming to work everyday with my teammates and my friends, that's what it's all about - coming in, working hard and playing the game of baseball. That's what I'm focused on."
Is he open to talking about an extension?
"We'll have to see. That's what I've got an agent for. They handle all that stuff. My focus is the Philadelphia Phillies and the guys in that clubhouse and the city of Philadelphia and winning another championship."
Would he rule out talking about an extension during the season?
"This is the first time I've been in a situation like that, dealing with a long term deal and extensions and all that. This is the first time I've had an opportunity at that. So we'll deal with that as it comes, but it's not something that I'll be focused on."
We'll have more later.
This is where I think we'll miss having traded away Taylor instead of Brown, his higher ceiling nothwithstanding. Taylor is MLB-ready and will start for the A's this year. We should have kept him in AAA for a month or two, let Raul get off to a good start and traded Ibanez and the $11MM for each of 2010 and 2011 he is owed. It frees up money to extend Werth, but also gives you more flexibility next off-season. If Taylor struggles in 2010, you know you need Werth around. If Taylor turns out to be a stud, you could still let Werth walk and save the money for Howard or Utley. I would have moved Raul and let Taylor and Francisco play LF in 2010, and taken the time to see what we really have. Now, we've still got a 38 yr old LF, a soon-to-be RF FA, and a prospect at A/AA who still has a long way to go. Taylor, on the other hand, has already shown that he is ready, by actually getting better at AA and AAA. If Brown struggles at either of those levels, you're looking at a 2011 OF Raul (now 39), Vic and ???. I'll take the guy who kicks arse at AA and AAA and dares you to put him in lineup as a rookie, rather than a guy who is still 2+ years away. The window only stays open for so long. Of course, in addition to moving Ibanez, I would have also non-tendered or traded Blanton, and traded Rollins and acquired a guy like Scutaro to play SS for half the cost, to shed $28MM of payroll to extend Werth AND Lee, the farm be dam*ned (but of course, trading Joe, Jimmy and Raul would have significantly, and more than adequately, softened the hit). You still have Moyer's salary coming off after 2010 too. I'd take a lineup of Victorino, Polanco, Utley, Howard, Werth, Taylor/Francisco, Scutaro, Ruiz and a rotation of Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Happ and Kendrick/Moyer any day over what we have now. My analysis may not be perfect, but its thoughtful enough to show that there were other legitimate ways to keep Werth and/or Lee.— bm2626- You can't trade Ibanez because no one will take him at that price. his contract was signed before the economy tanked, and like most contracts was designed to pay him most of the money at the back end. He'll be even older and making even more money then before. What you CAN do is try to sign Werth to a long term deal with a little bump for 2011 but a much bigger raise after Ibanez is off the books. Its all guanranteed money anyway.— swash1
Werth is worth every stinkin' penny they pay him. He's resurrected his career from the scrapheap and done it impressively. He's turned himself into a 5-tool stud and deserves an extension. If Ruben could use Jedi mind tricks and get both Werth and Howard to sign extensions...man, we could win enough rings to fill a fistful of fingers. Get it done, Ruben. The Absentee Owners need to step up, that ballpark is a Cash Cow 81 times a year, they're making cash by the truckload every single night. Build a legend, Ruben.- BobbyUK-That is an even worse idea. I know that it isn't your idea and it is what they'll probably do and tell us its the best course of action, but why take an exceptional 2nd baseman and make him an average 1st baseman. Trade Victorino and keep Werth, move up D-Brown.— richards4captain18
- Keep them both. Sign Jayson and Ryan !! I would be glad to pay more for my tickets (most real Phils fans would). Damn Eagles tickets are expensive and we have no championship from them. GO PHILS !!!— fshldy1
- If Werth has another year similar to last year's the Phillies have to re-sign him even if it means trading Ibanez (they'll probably have to eat some money or receive a lesser player in trade) or Victorino. They have enough minor league depth in outfielders to replace either one. They need his right handed bat in this lefty dominated lineup.— Rick Wise Guy
- he looks like Marty Bystrom— thebaron
- A class act- Realizes he is on a winner- realizes he is well paid at a job that is a dream come true no matter how you look at it...i'm not convinced he will be gone , even with the fine stock that is coming up...they want this guy especially if he plays well again.— Hollerin187
- Reuben choked on the Lee deal....he will do the same on Werth......we jsut have to pry that Hamels comes back.......and we find a miricle for right field.....Reuben....pay up ...the window will not last forever....and the elederly sisters won't miss a thing and good ole boy Dave will explain it to them.....— nuggett
- crkreg, Halladay is already getting Moyer's money. Halladay is only getting 10 mil from the Phils this year (Toronto is paying 6). Next year he goes up to 20 million.— craig kendro
- You ever hear of getting someone to proofread you work?— 46 and 2
- Yo Murph is the spell check broken?— K_Ball
- Well said UncleEddie... these are OUR players. Please dont let them be bought by thelikes of the Sox or Yanks. I couldnt bare to see something so horrific.— smitty110
- I'm not sold Werth is gone. Baseball is not like football due to guaranteed contracts, thus its possible to backload a deal and the player not balk at it. So the Phils can offer him a lower salary in 2011 to make the numbers work, and jump it up on the backend once Ibanez is done.— dankil13
- tralala nailed it— eisenser
