It only took one season and four games, but Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth showed why the team overpaid for him last year. Sure, it was just one night, but Werth’s four hits in the 6-2 win over the New York Mets on Tuesday might prevent Nats fans from booing him when the team plays its home opener Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds. Werth signed a seven-year, $126 million contract before the 2011 season, and that megadeal made it nearly impossible for him to meet high public expectations — so much so that he hit just .232 a year ago and was heckled at Nationals Park.
The fan reaction is unfortunate. Werth’s a decent person and decent player. Maybe Washingtonians were slow to accept him because of his four preceding seasons with the rival Philadelphia Phillies. Certainly it didn’t help that he needed a decent post-All Star break just to raise his average above his weight — 225 pounds.
Big money means big expectations even among Washington’s patient baseball fans, whose passion doesn’t come close to Redskins supporters. Werth looked disoriented away from a Phillies lineup that was filled with enough bats to protect him. The Nats lost Ryan Zimmerman for 50 games last season, leaving Michael Morse as the only consistent threat, so Werth was on his own at the plate.
Werth all too often appeared baffled last season, setting a career high with 160 strikeouts. The 6-foot-5 outfielder looked like he was flailing with a stick. And after opening this season 1-for-14 in the first four games, he wasn’t looking any better.
But it’s funny how one game, one good hit, suddenly can inspire confidence. Werth opened the second inning Tuesday with a double. After grounding out in the fourth, he followed with an RBI single that was simply good hitting. Werth again singled in Zimmerman in the seventh after not chasing the kind of low outside pitch he struck out on all too often last season. Werth finished with another single in the ninth.
The Nats need Werth’s production as they wait for injured reliever Drew Storen and Morse to return. Washington’s play in the first week went much like expected — solid pitching and streaky hitting. The Nats seem to erupt for runs after several quiet innings.
Washington can’t truly be an NL East or even wild-card contender unless Werth produces far more than last season. Seven strikeouts in his first 19 at-bats is even worse than last year’s 28.5 percent rate.
Werth says it’s all about being comfortable at the plate. Certainly, Nats fans will be more comfortable not booing Werth if he doesn’t strike out so often.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
