Last offseason the Nationals made the biggest purchase in the franchise’s short history, signing outfielder Jayson Werth to a seven-year, $126 million deal. Washington grossly overpaid for a 31-year-old who flourished in a hitter-friendly ballpark in the middle of a loaded Phillies lineup. But it proved the Nationals were willing to compete in free agency with some of the big-market organizations.
But if the Nationals were planning to overpay for a player, they should have waited one more year.
The Detroit Tigers agreed to a nine-year, $214 million deal with slugger Prince Fielder on Tuesday. It seems a hefty sum for the 275-pound first baseman, but Fielder has produced throughout his career.
Would you rather pay a 27-year-old who hits .282 with 37 home runs and 106 RBI a season an average of $23.7 million a year or a 31-year-old who hits .264 with 25 home runs and 81 RBI a season an average of $18 million a year?
Until the Nationals start winning consistently, they will have to keep overpaying to get top-tier talent. But Washington must make sure it spends its money on the right guy.
Fielder has finished in the top four in the NL MVP voting three times and has won two Silver Sluggers. Werth has never finished in the top four in MVP voting and has never won a Silver Slugger.
For an extra $5 million a year, Fielder was the guy the Nationals should have overpaid to get.
– Jeffrey Tomik
