Just days after losing slugger Adam Dunn in free agency, the Nationals fought back by signing free-agent outfielder Jayson Werth to a shocking seven-year, $126 million contract.
The 31-year-old has established himself as one of the premier offense players in the National League. But with fans and critics howling about the loss of Dunn and star third baseman Ryan Zimmerman expressing his frustration, inking Werth to a long-term deal is about perception as much as anything.
Werth posted a career-high .921 OPS in 2010 while starring for the Philadelphia Phillies. He was also a key part of that club’s back-to-back N.L. pennants in 2008 and 2009. Philadelphia reached the N.L.C.S. this past season. Werth blasted 27 home runs and had a career-high 46 doubles in 2010. He hit 36 homers in 2009 and also qualified for the All-Star game that season and ranked eighth overall in Most Valuable Player voting in 2010.
