Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth has said repeatedly in recent weeks he’s tired of talking about how close he’s been to breaking out of a season-long slump. The overall numbers are still well below what Washington expected of Werth when he signed a seven-year, $126 million contract with the club in December.
But he remained hopeful even as the frustration mounted. Well, over the last 15 games some signs of life. Werth is 15-for-51 (.294) with five doubles, two home runs and 11 walks. The on-base percentage is at .419 during that stretch with a .509 slugging percentage and a .928 OPS. Now that’s more like it. But Werth needs to keep that going for a few weeks to make people forget an ugly start to his tenure in Washington. Lots of reasons have been bandied about for it. Nats manager Davey Johnson had a reasonable one.
“Anytime you go to a young club and a club that isn’t considered a pennant contender you want to help with attitude, you want to help with a lot of things as a more veteran player,” Johnson said. “A lot of times your focus can get away from yourself and mired in other things. It’s not conducive.”
At 68, Johnson has experienced almost everything in this sport. He remembered having a talk with his players in Cincinnati early in his time with the Reds about leaving star shortstop Barry Larkin alone. He was doing so much to help his teammates that Larkin was being stretched thin and his own game suffered.
“Same thing happens with all veterans,” Johnson said. “Players are coming in and he goes to them. You quit taking care of No. 1. I’m a firm believer of taking care of a No. 1, first and foremost. The problems that arise they fall in my lap, my bailiwick. So dump that on me. I ain’t got nothing else to do.”
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