Phillies

ESPN Asked Jayson Werth if He Regrets Stealing $126 Million, He Does Not

By Kyle Scott

Published: Jul 6th, 2011 · 2:58 PM EDT

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Photo source: Lehigh Valley Live

For as much joking around we do about Jayson Werth being bitter and unhappy in Washington (which may very well be the case), he is still going to be paid $126 million over the next seven years to play mediocre+ baseball, win or lose. Something tells me he is plenty content with his current standing… even if it is fourth place.

Put in his situation, I think most of us would consider our World Series ring and opt for the big payday. His perceived bitterness seems to come from the fact that the Phillies or another team that is – oh I don't know – good didn't offer him the same contract. It just so happens the Nationals were the only team dumb enough to shell out $126 million dollars to a borderline all-star. 

ESPN asked Werth if he was unhappy about stealing money:

"I definitely want to (dispel) the idea that I'm not happy,'' Werth told ESPN.com. "Other than my offensive production — which I'm OK with because I know it's going to turn around — I'm happy with my decision.

I definitely miss my teammates in Philly and I miss playing there and all that. But I've turned the page and I feel good about my decision. I see the future of this organization and where it's going, and I'm really satisfied and I really like it here. When I'm in my seventh year, I think I'll look back and go, 'That was a really good career move.' "

 

I'm OK with my offensive production because I know it's going to turn around. Thanks for clarifying, Jayson. The Lerner family was waiting with bated breath for you to accept your initial failures. But yes, that definitely was a really good career move… for you.

Bitter beard? Perhaps. But I don't think Werth is losing sleep over signing an undeserved contract. Hard-hitting questions from ESPN, though.

…

Here's his sideburn adorned bobblehead that will be given away this month by the Frederick Keys, one of Jayson's minor league teams. Why sideburns? Well, because he used to have them.

Photo: DC Sports Blog

Looks like he swung over that slider, too.