The Washington Nationals have made their first big splash in the free agency market Sunday signing Jayson Werth to a seven-year, $126 million deal.
This is a hefty contract for the 31-year-old who missed the 2006 season with a wrist injury and has battled injuries in the past. It was expected that he would likely go to Boston, the Los Angeles Angels, or even back to Philadelphia.
Not only is this bad news for the Phillies because he will be able to hurt them staying within the division, but his replacement, young phenom outfielder Domonic Brown, just left winter ball after a terrible performance in the Dominican.
In 2010, Werth hit .296 with 27 home runs and 85 RBI. He led the National League with 46 doubles and finished fourth with 106 runs scored.
Werth will fill the void in the Nationals lineup left from Adam Dunn who signed with the White Sox earlier this week and could be a powerful three-four hitter combination with Ryan Zimmerman.
With the young nucleus in Washington, they could be a very dangerous team in the NL East for years to come.
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