Amaro says Phils want quick resolution on Werth

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. indicated Friday that he'd like a relatively quick resolution as to whether the team can re-sign rightfielder Jayson Werth, who hit the free-agent market earlier this month.

"I don't think we'll let it go on for a while," Amaro said. "Hopefully, we'll find out if it's a viable option to bring him back in a short period of time. And, actually, we need to do some things regardless of what happens with Jayson."

Amaro would not discuss whether he has made a contract proposal to Werth's agent, Scott Boras, but he did shoot down a comment that was attributed to a Phillies source in a recent ESPN.com report.

Jayson Stark quoted the source as saying the Phillies had "no chance" of re-signing Werth. The exact quote: "No chance. None. Zero."

"That's unequivocally a false statement," Amaro said. "That did not come from me, and I would not express that."

Pat Gillick, the Phillies' former GM and currently a senior adviser in the organization, also disputed the comment.

"I think Ruben is making every effort to try to bring Jayson back," Gillick said. "I know he wants him back."

Attempts to reach Boras this week have been unsuccessful, but the agent spoke on MLB Network Radio's Inside Pitch Friday. Boras, perhaps for the benefit of Boston fans, compared Werth to Dwight Evans, who hit 385 home runs during 20 seasons with the Red Sox.

Asked specifically about negotiations with the Phillies, Boras said he has had discussions with Amaro.

"We'll continue to have them," Boras said. "The best thing I can say is the dialogue continues. That's not something I can define at this point."

Boras said Werth had an attractive situation with the Phillies, but he's open to playing elsewhere.

"He's enjoyed a tremendous platform in Philadelphia because he has what I think every free agent would want: You've got winning, you've got a great fan base, a nice stadium, an area that they're geographically happy with," Boras said. "Jayson's lived on the West Coast, he's lived on the East Coast, so he's open to consideration for a lot of franchises, which really, I think, look at his role on the team. I think, hitting in the fifth spot in Philadelphia is very difficult. Certainly [Ryan] Howard and [Chase] Utley enjoyed having Jayson behind them."

Boras was asked if Boston had contacted him about Werth and he took that opportunity to grade his client ahead of Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford, the other elite free-agent outfielder.

"I'm not going to address what specific teams are doing, but I can tell you there are a lot of teams that need an outfielder who has the versatility to play center field, play right field," Boras said. "Certainly, in the marketplace, we've got Carl Crawford - more of a leadoff type who doesn't have the power of a Jayson Werth.

"Over the last three years, you have one with 80 home runs and one with 40. They're different types of players. For clubs looking for a middle-of-the-lineup player who can play center field and play right field, certainly having a commodity like Werth available is something that, in free agency, we don't usually get. We usually get a corner outfielder who can perform well. But someone with that athleticism and that speed is usually not something that you get with that requisite power."

Amaro, who will fly to Orlando, Fla., Monday for baseball's general manager meetings, said one of his main focuses right now is the bullpen. He said he has had contact with the agents for some of the Phillies' own free-agent relief pitchers, a list that includes Jose Contreras and Chad Durbin.

It is believed the Phillies have an interest in Hisanori Takahashi. As a 35-year-old rookie last year, the former Japanese League star went 10-6 with a 3.61 ERA in 53 games, including 12 starts, for the Mets. He had a 2.04 ERA and eight saves as a reliever.