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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

MASN: Positionally, Werth is the center of attention

TARGET WERTH!

About the biggest uncertainty revolves around Jayson Werth - will he play center field or right field, and if it’s center, who’s in right?

Rizzo and manager Davey Johnson insist Werth is capable of manning center. They think he’s got sufficient speed to cover the gaps and there’s no doubt that he’s the kind of take-charge outfielder to can play traffic cop (in other words, none of that silliness where the center fielder allows himself to be called off a catchable ball, which has happened occasionally in the past). In his brief trial in center at the end of last season, Werth acquitted himself well, making good reads and taking good routes to the ball. He’s no stranger to center, having played the position in each of his nine major league seasons, but his 31 games and 233 1/3 innings at the position with the Phillies in 2008 were his career highs at the spot.

Repoz Posted: January 31, 2012 at 05:13 PM | 12 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: nationals, projections, sabermetrics

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1. TerpNats Posted: January 31, 2012 at 05:35 PM (#4050636)

Werth would be a stopgap at center until the Nationals can acquire a legit center fielder, either as a free agent for 2013 or, in a best-case scenario, at the trading deadline in late July if Washington is a bona fide postseason contender and the price isn't severe.

2. Moloka'i Three-Finger Brown (Declino DeShields) Posted: January 31, 2012 at 06:09 PM (#4050677)

It's kind of a fun, Davey Johnson sort of thought, but . . . what's the point of shoehorning Werth into CF when there's no compelling guy to play RF at this point? They could just let Cameron and one of Bernadina/Ankiel (if he comes back) handle CF for the time being, then get a real CF when Harper moves into one of the corner spots and pushes Morse to 1B. None of this is perfect, but why even chance it with Werth in center?

3. Cris E Posted: January 31, 2012 at 07:57 PM (#4050750)

what's the point of shoehorning Werth into CF when there's no compelling guy to play RF at this point?

Oh good, my point has been made. If you're going to make do in cf or rf, why not go get a cheap goodglove/whateverhit to throw out in center rather than a whateverhit/whateverglove for rf? At least get some defense out of the hole. There's little value in showcasing Werth out there: he's too old to develop and too expensive to trade.

4. I Remember When Posted: January 31, 2012 at 08:17 PM (#4050757)

31 Games and 233 1/3 innings ... sounds like a starter to me!

5. Del B. Vista Posted: January 31, 2012 at 08:43 PM (#4050773)

what's the point of shoehorning Werth into CF when there's no compelling guy to play RF at this point?

Two words: Bryce Harper. If he makes the team leaving camp, Werth will be the default CF. It could be a tug-o-war between Johnson and Rizzo whether that happens.

6. Bruce Markusen Posted: January 31, 2012 at 09:09 PM (#4050788)

Is outfield defense overrated? The Cardinals won a World Series with Holliday and Berkman in the corners, and a revolving door in center field after the Rasmus deal. I'd be curious to hear others' thoughts on the matter.

7. WhoWantsTeixeiraDessert Posted: January 31, 2012 at 09:12 PM (#4050791)

Journey To The Center By The Werth?

8. Champions Table Posted: January 31, 2012 at 11:27 PM (#4050886)

Bruce - Outfield defense is certainly not quite as big a deal when you have a groundball-heavy staff. The Cards have led the majors in GB% for three years straight.

Plus, the Cardinals won a World Series with Holliday and Berkman in the corners and a metric sh*t ton of good fortune besides. It also helped that Holliday and Berkman combined for 10 offensive wins above replacement against just -0.7 defensive WAR. That's nothing to brag about defense-wise, but it's better than I expected heading into the season. I thought Berkman-as-RF was going to be as bad as I expect Miggy-as-3B to be in 2012.

In answer to your larger question, though, I do think defense has cycled back from underrated to overrated.

9. The Gurus DO NOT BourbonSamurai Posted: February 01, 2012 at 10:45 AM (#4051026)

Werth was not good but not awful out there last year. I'd really prefer Harper spend some time in the minors, though.

10. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: February 01, 2012 at 10:49 AM (#4051028)

One unfortunate clutch error aside, Matt Holliday is a good glove in left, as is John Jay in center. The Cards had to carry Berkman in right - who apparently was less awful than most people expected - but they had 2/3 of a good outfield defense.

11. Moloka'i Three-Finger Brown (Declino DeShields) Posted: February 01, 2012 at 11:16 AM (#4051063)

If he makes the team leaving camp, Werth will be the default CF.

Sure. But I'm very skeptical about that actually hapenning.

12. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: February 01, 2012 at 11:51 AM (#4051097)

Is outfield defense overrated?

Depends how you define "overrated." The Yankees won plenty of games--and a pennant--with their laughable defensive outfield of the early-to-mid 2000s, feautring the likes of Matsui, late-career Bernie Williams, Sheffield and others. The Indians came within a Jose Mesa blown save of winning a title with Justice and Manny in the corners. (Though they had Lofton in CF.) So obviously you can have SOME sucess with a bunch of clowns out there.

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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

MASN: Positionally, Werth is the center of attention

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