Maybe over in the Werth contract thread you could share some thoughts on how you think Werth will hold up in the latter years of his contract. You've followed him, so is his injury history more freaky or is he due for a collapse? How much of his success was due to seeing more LHP in a lefty hitter line up? how'd he look in CF?
First of all, put Werth in Center. He is the best outfielder on your team right now. I know you guys probably love Morgan out there but really with those two they can cover most of the field. I am not sure if Harper is projected to make the team out of the gate this year and if so where does he play? Left or Right? I see you guys just traded Willingham, which by the way is a mistake. That guy has freakish power. Zimmerman, Werth, Willingham is/would have been a nice 3,4,5. But I guess this move signals that Harper has the job in the OF? I would put Morgan in left shade him towards Center and Shady Werth towards Right and take some of the pressure off of Harper. Plus Werth has an absolute cannon for an arm.
Werth definitely benefited from our line-up the past few seasons, but he also carried the team with his bat in stretches. He should help the over-all lineup. Pitchers will probably have to pick their poison with Zimmerman and Werth. Both can and will hurt you either way.
I wouldn't be too concerned about Werths injury history. To me it seems like he has learned how to take better care of himself and has managed to stay healthy for the past 4 seasons. Plus I would attribute a lot of his past injuries on freak accidents, broken wrist after being hit by a pitch and then having complications from it.
Overall I would expect Werth to be very productive for you guys. He owns at Nationals Park, I would be surprised if he hits 40 homers for the first few years combined with 20-30 stolen bases. Last year he seemed to dog it for a lot of the season and was obviously distracted about his contract situation. All that is settled now and he can focus on what he does best, mashign the baseball. I think he might tail off the last two years of the contract. Which I don't know if it's been said in this thread or not he will be making more money than aroid. lol. Hopefully someday you guys will make the playoffs so Werth can break his tie for career HR's in the post season for a national league player.
