tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647291021082797487.post5512157793054673043..comments2023-06-25T06:58:15.188-04:00Comments on Capitol Baseball: A Few Good Men: 33 - WerthJoe Druganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01445225986824666955noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647291021082797487.post-11103064146863471922011-12-04T17:22:47.782-05:002011-12-04T17:22:47.782-05:00If we all know that Werth had a terrible season, t...If we all know that Werth had a terrible season, then why does he get a C-? Look, I don't hate the guy. He has some positive qualities and actually won at least two games this year with his baserunning and hustle. I truly hope he plays better, a lot better, next year, and he certainly has the potential to be a star again. But let's be honest, he was really awful this year. All the people, including Riggleman, DJ, Carp, FP, Ray Knight, and especially Rizzo) who told us not to worry, that Werth would pick it up and be worth his big salary, were just plain wrong. <br /><br />One thing to note is that his much ballyhooed improved second half stats were actually worse, not by much, but still worse, than his career norms. All the hard nosed attitude and defense and "clubhouse presence" in the world does not make up for a terrible season at the plate. We can find a good fielding .232/.330/.389 outfielder for alot less than $18 million per year. (Coco Crisp's slashline last year was 264/.314/.379 for example.) That's not what the the Nats paid for when they signed him, and it's simply not good enough for next year and beyond.<br /><br />I think Werth's lack of power was most troubling. If he's going to bat 5th in the lineup, he needs to slug a lot better than .389. He hit 20 fewer doubles (and 7 fewer HR) in 2011 than in 2010. He needed to do a lot better to warrant a C or even a C-.Section 222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647291021082797487.post-73146568197451815392011-11-30T12:57:59.978-05:002011-11-30T12:57:59.978-05:00To continue that thought, I'd give him a C, an...To continue that thought, I'd give him a C, and I expect him, next season, to have a slash line for the season roughly the same as the one he had for the second half of 2011.jorgathnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647291021082797487.post-69811635923064956002011-11-30T11:48:07.009-05:002011-11-30T11:48:07.009-05:00I think he will. RobBobS over at Federal Baseball...I think he will. RobBobS over at Federal Baseball listed Werth's OPS+ numbers over the past five years: 120, 121, 129, 144, 97. Like RobBob, I think that 97 is a blip. I'm expecting a 110-120 OPS+ next year -- not as good as he was in Philly, but still much better than this year.jorgathnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5647291021082797487.post-86381871688925222562011-11-30T08:14:22.865-05:002011-11-30T08:14:22.865-05:00I am hoping that this was just an adjustment year ...I am hoping that this was just an adjustment year - new park, no protection in the line-up, pressure to lead, etc. He did bring some nice intangibles to the table -and - he wasn't Adam Dunn kind of bad. Hopeful but concerned...gonatsgonoreply@blogger.com