The Jayson Werth Saga Continues To Consume Philly Fans

In last week’s episode of As The Werth Turns, writers and fans were simply trying to make heads or tails out of whether or not the Philadelphia Phillies had a chance of retaining outfielder Jayson Werth. And while the saga continues to consume Philly fans, the organization continues on a slow and steady pace in their offseason wheelings and dealings.

The latest news is the signing of relief pitcher Jose Contreras to a two-year, $5.5 million contract.

This comes as a huge helping hand in the Phillies’ primary quest for quality upgrades to the bullpen, especially since the team has declined J.C. Romero’s option.

Phillies GM Rubin Amaro Jr. has already made it clear that settling the bullpen is of the utmost top priority, while supplementing that statement by also saying they haven’t closed the doors on any free agents—Jayson Werth included.

But open doors tend to let flies in or at least that’s what my mother used to yell.

The free-agency market is wide open right now, especially regarding outfielders. So the Phillies are afforded a nice stroll down Non-Tendered Way as they sip on their lattes and window shop. Players such as Magglio Ordonez, Josh Willingham, Aaron Rowand and even Carlos Quentin are all currently on display at your local MLB free agency store, so act now!

While the Phillies really don’t need to do anything out of haste, there is a growing sense of urgency as to what will be the end game.

Werth’s presence limits prospect Domonic Brown’s ability to be plugged into the starting role, but the expected heavy contract that Werth is gambling for ($120 million over six or seven years) is not something the Phillies will even remotely offer.

At best, they’ll slide a three-or four-year deal worth between $60 and 70 million across the table.

Another issue is the free agents I previously mentioned. Ordonez is like aged cheese at 36, Willingham was having a nice season in 2010 until the all-too-familiar injury bug bit him again, Rowand isn’t really an option and neither is Quentin, despite rumors of the Phillies thinking of making a run for him.

So here we are…left in the menacing grip of speculation and hope (for some).

But in my opinion, when you really gauge the free agency market, and what the Phillies still have to do in the bullpen, retaining Jayson Werth just makes perfect sense.

The almighty dollar seems to be the only real stepping stone. The Phillies know that Raul Ibanez has one more year left tops, and that’s if he even makes it through a full season.

The Phillies also know to get that true relief arm that can “seal the deal,” you have to have a hefty coin on hand. If the Phillies can come to some sort of happy median, however, you kill two birds with one stone while still saving enough to enjoy that latte and a nice morning bagel from South Street Philly Bagels (613 South 3rd Street…it’s a wonderful little place, take your kids!)

But the hitch is on Werth’s agent, Scott Boras, and Werth himself regarding their willingness to accept a three- or four-year deal if offered.

The market should rear its ugly head soon and show Werth that it isn’t what he perhaps thought it was going to be for free agents looking to score that monumental deal.

But until something comes to a head, the fans will continue to chomp at the bit, while the organization continues to take it easy.

To be honest, it will all be “Werth” it if the Phillies find a way to retain the Philadelphia mainstay while beefing up that pen.

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MLB Rumors: Are the Philadelphia Phillies Still Pursuing Jayson Werth?

Since the start of the NLDS, many insiders, beat writers and aspiring columnists all agreed that outfielder Jayson Werth was playing his last games in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform.

But now, the rumors suggest the Phillies could make a big push for Werth and actually pursue the Philadelphia mainstay.

Earlier this week, it was rumored that the Phillies had “zero chance” in bringing back Werth, but SI.com’s Jon Heyman has ‘Tweeted’ that GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told the Philadelphia Inquirer he wants an answer soon, but that a quick deal is unlikely.

The Philadelphia Phillies have a couple of other little player puzzles to solve, such as their attempt to retain reliever Jose Contreras and their interest in reliever Joaquin Benoit as a possible insurance policy, but there is also another player puzzle in the mix that is directly related to Jayson Werth.

Top prospect, Domonic Brown.

In many respects, Brown is said to be a fine replacement for Jayson Werth. He’s just as tall, just as fast, seemingly just as good of an outfielder, and almost as good as a hitter.

But he isn’t Jayson Werth.

In my personal opinion, I can’t see the Phillies parting ways with Werth so long as they can stave off his junkyard dog agent Scott Boras and come to an agreeable deal.

What I can see, however, is Domonic Brown being brought up and kept in the dugout as an insurance policy for fading outfielder Raul Ibanez.

But that’s just speculation on my part.

Think of it this way: Raul Ibanez is declining and becomes a free agent in 2011. If the Phillies had an opportunity to construct an outfield with Shane Victorino, Domonic Brown and Jayson Werth, don’t you think they would try?

I know I would if I worked for the organization.

In addition to that being my lineup, I would have Ibanez as a bench player and possible DH in inter-league play, and solid trade bait at the end of the 2011 season, with a free spot to possibly bring up John Mayberry.

The Phillies have already admitted to needing a left-handed reliever more than anything, but addressing the outfield situation is also a top priority. Werth does have a nice situation in Philadelphia, in a very hitter-friendly park that he is already acclimated to.

There isn’t a zero chance Jayson Werth could stay in Philly, but the clock is ticking and just about everyone wants to see a resolution to this ongoing saga.

Hopefully, this will prove to be a “Werthy” pursuit, and we’ll see the scruffy-looking outfielder in a Phillies uniform for years to come.

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NLCS 2010 Report Card: Doc Halladay Finds Cure, Philadelphia Phillies Stay Alive

In a game steeped in desperation, the Philadelphia Phillies came alive to send Game 6 of the 2010 NLCS back to Philadelphia, and the good doctor provided the cure for the woeful Phillies at just the right time.

But for the Phillies, the importance was in HOW they won this game.

Miscues in the field, lack of power, nearly zero base stealing: All of these things have plagued the Phillies and prevented them from either closing out a winnable game, or stopping the Giants.

Let’s take a look at how Philadelphia fared this time around, as we get ready for Saturday.

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NLCS 2010 Game 5 Preview: Will Doc Halladay Find a Cure for What Ails Philadelphia?

Philadelphia enters Game 5 of the 2010 NLCS looking for a cure, and they’ll turn to the good doctor Roy Halladay to find it as the Phillies get set to square off against the San Francisco Giants.

This game could be the last for the Phillies, so it’s “do or die” time, and that means several things for dem Phightin’ Phils if they want to bring this series back to the City of Brotherly Love.

In their first go-around, the Giants hit Halladay better than expected, as the doctor failed to treat the gaping wound caused by eight hits, two homers and four earned runs.

As the series has progressed, the Phillies’ bats have ominously gone quiet; with men on, they have failed to capitalize by not running the bases enough, and even their impenetrable defense has broken down a few times in the worst possible way.

So now what?

Well, it’s simple. The Phillies must get back to what has worked for them all year long: hitting, stealing bases, consistent defense and solid pitching.

Which leads us to Halladay.

Halladay rarely makes the same mistake twice, and tonight’s game is a perfect opportunity for some redemption as he gets set for his rematch against The Freak, Tim Lincecum.

That redemption can also be the fuel and guiding light for a team seemingly awestruck by the Giants, who have methodically picked them apart, and when your ace leads the way, winning just gets a whole lot easier.

Tonight the Phillies look to erase last week and rewrite the ending to another stellar chapter in their history, rather than close the book on a story with no sequel.

And it all starts with the good doctor.

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NLCS Report Card: Phillies Missing That Phight

After four game into the NCLS, we have ourselves quite a matchup, but with contrasting results.

The Phillies have looked consevative, out of sync, and at times, without that fight that has made them who they are.

The Giants, on the other hand, have looked cool, crisp, and methodical which are the very tratis that helped them win the West.

Last night’s game was a little indicative of the aforementioned.

While it’s hard to put a grade on a game that was really based around well hit and placed balls, there are some specifics that could’ve made a difference.

Let’s take a look.= at last night’s report card.

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NLCS Reports Cards: Phillies Fall Behind in a Giant Way

After three games into the 2010 NLCS, we have already seen as many confusing turn of events as one could’ve imagined.

But for the Philadelphia Phillies, being down two to one in the series is a by-product of their own design in many ways.

This is not to say the Phillies are playing bad necessarily, rather, just making some key errors that favor the competition.

Let’s take a look at how the Phillies have graded through three crucial games in the NLCS, since at this point, it becomes ever so important to really tighten any loose bolts.

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NLCS 2010 Preview: Tim Lincecum Vs. Roy Halladay in Historic Pitchers’ Duel

Just when we all thought we were getting our postseason fill with the NLDS, the approaching NLCS is about to open up the flood gates with a good old fashion civil war between the East Coast and West Coast.

It’s time to put on the gloves, get out your rally towels, and show those Giants draped in orange what Philadelphia is all about.

Who cares about that old Willie Mays statue, when you have Ashburn Alley!

Who needs the California Cookout when you have Bull’s BBQ!

How can you enjoy the beautiful sun filled California beaches when you have the Jersey Shore????

*cough*…Ok, San Francisco, you win that one.

The postseason engine just switched into its high gear, and Game One of the NLCS has all the makings of a historical event waiting to happen.

At this rate, even the World Series is going to wind up paling in comparison to not only what has already happened in the NLDS and ALDS, but what is about to transpire in the NLCS.

I am, of course, talking about the reigning Cy Young Award Winner Tim Lincecum, about to take on the pending 2010 Cy Young Award Winner Roy Halladay.

I’m talking about two of the best pitchers in not only the NL, but all of baseball.

The Freak vs. The Doctor.

It really doesn’t get any better than this, unless you’re sitting in Citizen’s Bank Park with a Hatfield hot dog and an ice cold Bud Light.

But I digress.

Even as good as Tim Lincecum is, he’s only one man, whereas the Phillies tandem of Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels (H₂0) is more than any team has really been able to handle since the beginning of September.

And that could wind up being all the Phillies need once again.

They already beat the best defensive team in the National league, and one of the best hitting teams in the National League (the Cincinnati Reds), now they get set to face one of the hottest teams in the National League.

No problem, right?

You wanted drama? You wanted excitement? You wanted a thrilling postseason drive?

If this doesn’t get you excited, you may want to check your pulse.

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NLDS Game 3 Report Card: Cole Hamels Completes Sweep Of The New Machine

The Phillies entered into Game 3 of the NLDS with one thing in mind: Win and go home.

And they did just that.

Behind a dominant Cole Hamels and a constructed hitting squad that showed the value of both the long ball and the short ball, the Phillies dominated nearly every aspect of this game.

Let’s take a look at how the Phillies fared against not only the best defensive teams in the NL this season, but also against one of the best teams, in one of the most hitter friendly parks in the majors.

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NLDS Game 2 Report Card: Phillies Handle Cuban Missile Crisis With Comeback Win

After two exhilarating games the Philadelphia Phillies have more than shown exactly why they are not only the number one team in the National League, but  why there are the NLDS’ top “student’.

Being down four to nothing, and dealing with a Reds team that’s not only pulled out all the stops, but also debuted their “secret weapon” only to have him (Chapman) retired faster than his own 100+ MPH fastball.

The Reds seemingly crumbled under the pressure of a Phillies team that is as methodical as it gets when it comes down to getting back into a game.

They chased away the best defensive team in the National League, they blew away the blow away pitcher  Chapman, and took a crucial two games to none lead, as the series heads back to Cincinnati for a game three showdown on Sunday night.

Let’s take a look at the Phillies NLDS Game 2 report card, and how this game translates into a final grade of B+.

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Philadelphia Phillies Clinch NL East: What Phils Need To Succeed In MLB Playoffs

It began in Washington on April 5, and fittingly, it has ended in Washington with the Philadelphia Phillies crushing the Washington Nationals, 8-0 en route to a divisional clinch.

And with every ending comes a new beginning.

Now, Dem Phightin’ Phils will begin the process of gearing up for their fourth postseason berth in as many years.

And they do it HEALTHY!

Jimmy Rollins will return as soon as today, and the rest of the musketeers are in good health and playing at an incredibly high level.

But the Phillies will have to utilize a couple of things in order to survive the bevy of teams that they could face.

Let’s take a quick look at what lies ahead for the Philadelphia Phillies.

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