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.
I hope they can hold onto Werth a little while longer.... With the young kids coming up we could have some growing pains,,,and that could hurt us while we try to get to the world series again,,,, Platoon them this year and see what ya got and then make a decision next off season,,,,, it will probably be werth the wait,,,,,,,,,jack— jackhanna- Werth is not worth 15 million/yr. Unless he puts up .300 avg 35 HR and 120 RBI's he's not sniffing that kind of cheese. Ryan Howard is the priority here. They've got to resign him.— booman55
- again, the idiots want to be rid of Ryan Howard. How are you baseball fans? Better yet, how are you Phillies fans?— seaonasdad
- The ironic part of the whole situation is that the better the year that Werth has in 2010, the more money it will take to keep him. I don't know that its worth giving big long term contracts to their core players once the current contracts expire. They'll all be starting to get a little long in the tooth. Their peak years are NOW. Amaro should start thinking about potential replacements for Utley, Howard, Rollins and Werth. Probably Victorino as well. It may be 2 or 3 years down the road, but unless those guys are willing to stay on short term deals after that, its Sayonara. Even if they resign Werth after this season, I wouldn't give him more than a 3 year deal.— SteveS11
- I would not place Werth's value on par with probable HOFers Howard or Utley, but it would be nice if we could keep him.— SmartAlec
- Can anyone tell me how long Jimmy Rollins is locked up?— philly444
- HOWARD will never leave Philly. That's why they can't keep Werth, they need the money to keep Howard and Rollins. Domonic Brown will be a fine replacement when he is ready.— philly200
- Unfortunately, it's hard to believe Werth would sign here beyond 2010. He is in his prime and probably feels he lost of couple of years of his career due to that wrist-injury-misdiagnosis when with the Dodgers. And he is a legit five-tool guy. So he's gonna have to take more money -- and he would get more money somewhere else, most likely.— BoricuaPhilsFan
- crkreg - next year the Phillies are already comitted to 130 million. That does not include Moyer, who is getting paid this year. Werth is gone.— hop251
- seaonasdad- what's wrong with trading an asset at its peak. Howard will be entering the decline phase of his career within the next two years. If the Phillies sign him they will be paying him for past production. Clearly you overvalue Howard, you probably also value the RBI as an important stat. I actually think Howard would benefit from a platoon split, he will never hit LHP effectively, watching him flail at breaking stuff out of the zone has become tiresome. If he had half of Chase Utley's plate discipline perhaps hed be worthy of a big contract.— hillyinphilly
- Do we get any comp draft picks if Werth slips away next year?— vafan
- vafan- As long as the Phillies offer him arbitration they will receive compensatory picks.— hillyinphilly
- I'm a big fan of Werth and I hope there's a scenario that keeps him in Philly, but he's the type of player who greatly benefits from the lineup he's in. As an example, he kills lefties, and the Phils see a lot of them. He's mediocre at best against righthanders. Some team will likely break the bank to sign him, he won't perform like he has here, and the Phillies will replace him with a similar talent. So I hope for a big year from him in his contract season, then hope the Phils focus their budgeting on extending Howard.— Joe Light
Comment removed.- 2011 doomsday prediction: "Now batting for the Yankees... number 28... leftfielder Jason Werth... Werth...leftfield."— terryharmon
