Jayson Werth Appreciation Thread

[Terpfan76]

The guy is such a jerk off, no one else I'd rather see come to bat when the game is on the line, but I just can't stand him being on the team, he's hard to root for.

[Smithian]

The guy is such a jerk off, no one else I'd rather see come to bat when the game is on the line, but I just can't stand him being on the team, he's hard to root for.

Oh.

[PowerBoater69]

@chasehughesCSN: Werth when asked how his go-ahead double felt: 'That’s a secret. Only people that do that sort of thing get to know what that feels like.'

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I have some hope that he keeps himself in good enough shape that he has sort of a Dwight Evans career path and stay pretty good throughout his 30s.

[Minty Fresh]

I think if you look back at the free agent signings over the past three years, Jayson's has probably been the most cost-effective.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Just ask the Angels

I think if you look back at the free agent signings over the past three years, Jayson's has probably been the most cost-effective.

[Minty Fresh]

Just ask the Angels

I also shudder to think what we'd think if we had signed Crawford instead of Werth.  Those were the two big free agents that year and we definitely made the right move.

[PC]

Werth as MVP? Not yet, and not without a miracle finish
DANNY KNOBLER
Baseball Insider
September 12, 2013 11:38 am ET


NEW YORK -- We've talked Yadier Molina for National League MVP, and we've talked Andrew McCutchen. We've talked Clayton Kershaw, even though his manager says Adrian Gonzalez is really the Dodgers' MVP.

"What about Jayson Werth?" an NL broadcaster I respect asked the other day.

Yes, what about Jayson Werth?

He leads the league in OPS. He leads the league in slugging percentage. He even leads the league in pitches seen per plate appearance, although I'm not sure that is going to win him the MVP.

He even, finally, looks comfortable hitting in one of the glamor spots in the order, batting cleanup and now third for the last month as the Nationals have been baseball's hottest team.

"You generally put your best hitter in the 3-hole," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. "He's our best hitter. Werth's in a real good place right now."

But he's not the MVP. Can't be, not with a team that still counts as the most disappointing and underachieving in the league.

"What if they make the playoffs?" my broadcaster friend asked (and no, he doesn't work for the Nationals).

Fair enough. Miguel Tejada won the MVP in 2002 because he pushed the A's into the playoffs late in the year. Justin Morneau won in 2006 in large part because the Twins rallied in September and caught and passed the Tigers to win their division.

Jimmy Rollins won in 2007 after the Phillies' miracle September (and the Mets' ugly collapse) sent them into October.

So no, Jayson Werth is not the MVP right now. But if the Nationals do what the 2007 Phillies did (and the Reds do what the 2007 Mets did), the story could change.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/danny-knobler/23610615/werth-as-mvp-not-yet-and-not-without-a-miracle-finish

[Optics]

If Werth powers us into the playoffs, he should win MVP.

Otherwise, I'd give it to Goldschmidt.

[PC]

If Werth powers us into the playoffs, he should win MVP.

Otherwise, I'd give it to Goldschmidt.

The Dbacks ain't making the playoffs.

[houston-nat]

Awarding the MVP to a playoff team is stupid, but that's how it works.

As it happens, the rightful MVP is on a playoff team... Andrew McCutchen.

[TigerFan]

Awarding the MVP to a playoff team is stupid, but that's how it works.

As it happens, the rightful MVP is on a playoff team... Andrew McCutchen.

Generally I agree with your statement.  If one player has, unquestionably, the best season they should win the MVP award.  However if there are two, or multiple, players with similar stats I think those people making the playoffs should be given a slight nod. 

[nobleisthyname]

I think the award belongs to McCutchen at this point. He's second only to our own Jayson Werth in wRC+ with 158 and is doing everything solidly. He doesn't have the flashy stats but getting that kind of production from a CFer makes him the MVP to me.

[DPMOmaha]

to me.

this is the problem with the award. For a game that relies on numbers and holds to them like grim death, the ambiguity of the post season awards leaves too much room for subjectivity.

[nobleisthyname]

this is the problem with the award. For a game that relies on numbers and holds to them like grim death, the ambiguity of the post season awards leaves too much room for subjectivity.

Everyone should just agree with me.

[houston-nat]

@BRefPlayIndex

"Since the start of 2012, the @Nationals are 116-81 (.589) in games started by Jayson Werth"

[Lintyfresh85]

Goldschmidt is more deserving than Werth, if we're going the non-playoff team route.

[zimm_da_kid]

Goldschmidt is more deserving than Werth, if we're going the non-playoff team routes.

we're not

[Slateman]

If Werth powers us into the playoffs, he should win MVP.

Otherwise, I'd give it to Goldschmidt.

Uh ... Andrew Mcutcheon

[Smithian]

.318/.398/.532 with 25 HRs in 129 games.

His best season in Washington.

ERTH IT

[JCA-CrystalCity]

so far, he has earned $36MM over the past 3 years, using WAR, and been paid $39MM.  That said, he earned about $23MM this year, which is more than his highest salary year. he was 4.6 WAR.  If he puts up another year or two of 4.5+ WAR, and then maybe a couple in the 3.5 range, he'll not be anywhere near the overpay folks thought at the time of his signing.

[nobleisthyname]

so far, he has earned $36MM over the past 3 years, using WAR, and been paid $39MM.  That said, he earned about $23MM this year, which is more than his highest salary year. he was 4.6 WAR.  If he puts up another year or two of 4.5+ WAR, and then maybe a couple in the 3.5 range, he'll not be anywhere near the overpay folks thought at the time of his signing.

That's a pretty big if though. He's had health issues which don't tend to get better with age. It also took him having the best offensive season of his career to reach 4.5 WAR.

You say a couple years of 4.5+ and then another couple of ~3.5. That would have him playing at an all-star level or close to it for the rest of his time here. Personally, I don't see him reaching 4.5 WAR again. I think the only way the contract ends up not looking as bad is through contract inflation.

[cmdterps44]

I'm buying a Werth jersey.

[varoadking]

I'm buying a Werth jersey.

I have a white one he'd autographed during Spring Training '13.  Going in a display case in my mancave...

[spidernat]

I'm buying a Werth jersey.

Kiss of death considering you were so eager to get a Haren jersey last offseason.