Werth_nationals
And how is your Friday?

Ah yes, not unlike the turn of the seasons, there are few things you can count on more than some good ol' fashioned Jayson Werth bashing (here and in our nation’s capital).

Big Two Eight, $126 million man, isn’t too happy with the Nationals' losing ways (God, this only took like, what, two months?). Check out these quotes from Wednesday afternoon: [Washington Post]

“I’ve got some ideas obviously, and some thoughts, none I really want to share with the world. I think it’s pretty obvious what’s going on around here.”

“I’m not really going to get into it right now. It is what it is. It’s unfortunate. We’re a way better ballclub.”

“We have been close the whole time. We just can’t get over the hump. We get right there, and we have opportunities, we have chances to win games. We don’t win them, and we should."

“Good ballclubs are resilient. Good players are resilient, bounce back. I believe in these guys in here. We’ve got a great group of guys. We have a lot of talent. We just need to keep going. A lot of these guys are kind of still learning. We’ve got to make sure they continue to develop, regardless of if we’re winning or losing. I think that’s important for the future of this club. But things need to change.”

 

Uh oh.

Washington Post columnist Jason Reid thinks Werth needs to “think before he talks”:

Speaking with reporters following the team’s 6-4 loss to Milwaukee, Werth undoubtedly was trying out a new comedy bit, because he couldn’t have been serious about other deficiencies while he’s batting .254 in the first season of a seven-year, $126 million contract.

If the highest-paid player in franchise history wants to address a rapidly deteriorating situation other than to apologize for hitting .205 with runners in scoring position, he should do so directly. If Werth has a problem with the way Manager Jim Riggleman is running the team, he should say so. But cryptically intimating in postgame quotes that others aren’t doing their jobs is unacceptable — or at least it should be to Nationals management.

 

Hmm, funny how this works. We’re two months into a – does math – seven year contract, and the Washington scriptuals (I made that word up because I’m feeling loquacious today) are already harping on JW’s vanishing act with men on base. Not to mention the fact that Werth obviously has a few issues with clubhouse personnel.

As Reid also notes, Werth likely feels some sort of a responsibility to uphold his end of the bargain – the $126 million end – but since he’s not doing it on the field, by golly he’s going to make sure he does it off the field. I mean how else is someone going to justify to themself that they are being paid about twice their market werth (hehe, puns)? Better play the role of superstar.

That… or vaginally throw people under the bus. Yeah, probably the second thing.