Jayson Werth, potentially one of the most important free agents on the market this year, has been signed by the Washington Nationals for 7 years/$126 million, quite a pretty penny for a player who used to be a bench rider for the Dodgers and Blue Jays before helping the Phillies during their historic run to the 2008 World Series. This can be considered one of the first true big signings of what's sure to be an eventful offseason, and it was completed just a day before the owners' meeting, during which many people expected talks for Werth, Carl Crawford, and Cliff Lee to really heat up, if not get finished. Obviously, Werth didn't want to wait anymore and took what was most likely the best deal he had been presented with. This may have been one of the best scenarios the Nats could have ended up with: they're expected to make a push for Lee sometime soon, but most understand that unless you're Brian Cashman or Jon Daniels, you're not going to get him (hell, one of those two doesn't really stand a chance as it is). So, it was down to either Crawford or Werth. To be honest, they both have their strengths that make either a valuable fit for any team lucky enough to have them: Crawford is a little younger and significantly faster, with 409 career stolen bases to Werth's 77, but Werth can be counted on a lot more reliably in the clutch. Werth also has a bit more postseason experience, having made it to at least the NLCS every year for the past 4, compared to Crawford's 2 years (in '08, they faced each other in the Fall Classic when the Phils and Werth took it all) and hasn't gotten the exposure Werth has. And now, with Werth joining a lineup that Adam Dunn just left, he'll have Bryce Harper joining him very soon (the Nationals don't really believe in keeping a good thing under wraps for long) and hopefully a healed Stephen Strasburg down the stretch, Werth just might be what they need for a postseason push. Well, maybe not next year, but very soon.
For that matter, did Werth's signing just make Crawford's stock rise considerably? He's now basically the last man standing when it comes to utility players in this year's pool of free agents. There have, of course, been multiple rumors of him garnering interest from the Yankees, Angels, and Red Sox, but do any of those have legitimacy? I wasn't aware that the Nationals were even going after Werth, so how many dark horse teams are making a run for Crawdaddy? We'll most likely have a clearer idea in the coming days at the winter meetings, so stick around.
The Padres just traded star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to the Red Sox for some minor leaguers and a player to be named later. This is a big move for both teams: the Pads lose one of their strongest hitters, while the Sox gain a reason not to resign Adrian Beltre. Boston's usual first baseman, Kevin Youkilis, will be taking over daily duties at third while Gonzalez takes over at first (naturally). An eye for an eye...rather, an Adrian for an Adrian. Considering that the Athletics reportedly withdrew the 5 year/$64 million deal they offered Beltre, could it be possible that he possibly signs with San Diego in a fit of retaliation? Unlikely, but possible. And while that's brought up, I believe Oakland made a big mistake by withdrawing their offer. Beltre was a huge asset to the Sox this past year, and could clearly make a larger impact than the A's regular third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff: offensively, Beltre's 2010 stats blow Kouzy's out of the water with a batting average nearly 75 points higher, 12 more homers and 31 more RBIs; Beltre is faster, with 113 career stolen bases to Kouzmanoff's meager 4. To look at them defensively, Beltre certainly wins out in errors, seeing as he's committed 224 compared to Kouzmanoff's 49. However, Kevin is younger (by 2 years) and has less big league experience (4 full season and 16 games in 2006) compared to Adrian (he's been in the majors since 2000). I think Beltre would have made a good fit in the Athletics' lineup, but they must have more faith in Kouzmanoff's abilities. I know this took a strong turn away from my original point, so I'll regress: Adrian Gonzalez will be a humongously positive asset to the Red Sox, and with Kevin Youkilis switching corners, this may be the jumpstart they need after a disappointing playoff miss this previous season.
Speaking of third basemen (good connection, right?), the Diamondbacks just traded their corner man, Mark Reynolds, to the Orioles for two relievers. This actually seems like a match made in heaven. Reynolds and the Orioles have a lot in common: both have strong potential that's obscured only by their tendency to fail spectacularly in most situations. The Orioles showed a strong surge down the stretch last season (mainly after they'd already been eliminated from playoff contention), but still came up short. Reynolds hit 32 homers this past season, and struck out an astounding 211 times. They both don't show much of their power often, but when they do, they make it known far and wide that they can be effective. Reynolds is still young, only 27 with 3 years experience. He's known already for having a hot bat, when and if he can make contact. His 121 homers in that short time are impressive, but the 767 strikeouts make this equation that much more complicated. Hopefully Buck Showalter's coaching staff can help him read pitchers better and fine tune his approach at the plate to minimize those whiffs and turn him into a deep offensive threat.
Another big contract recently signed was for Derek Jeter. He and the Yankees brass finally made something that resembles a compromise, for 3 years/$51 million. Is there anyone outside of Jeet and his agent that believe he's even worth $17 mil for 3 more seasons of struggling to pretend like he's still 26, 29, or even 33? Regardless of what he's done for the franchise, it's becoming more and more clear with every passing day that he's not only past his prime, it's nearing the point where it's just embarrassing to keep watching him fumble around in the field and struggle in the batter's box. Of course, you can't forget everything he's contributed in his career to the city of New York (if you want specifics, read nearly every other post I've written), but should past achievements hold that much weight in consideration of future potential? Since there have been no legitimate rumors of steroid usage, Jeter's going to age naturally, as a human being does, and will therefore get weaker and less effective. And in this game, power and speed are the names of the game; without one or the other, you can no longer be considered a star player. Derek may still have some speed, but his power is diminishing rapidly, and it stands to reason that it won't increase, at least not enough to compare him to his former self. As I've said in the past, I think it's best that Jeter retires with dignity and grace, but after the visceral display he and GM Brian Cashman put on in the preceding weeks, he'll be more recently remembered as the greedy shortstop who didn't know when to quit. I just really hope he can show he's worth what he's paid and lead the Yanks to championship 28.
Wow, I managed to go a whole post with just barely mentioning Cliff Lee. I'm kinda proud of myself.
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