Werth completes the Phillies out fielding core

The Phillies signed former Dodger Outfielder Jayson Werth to a one-year $850 thousand dollar deal. Werth will join Phillies out fielders Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand, Shane Victorino, and Jeff Conine.

Werth is a valuable bench player who can play all three out field positions. A strong defensive player Werth has compiled 14 outfield assists in 216 career games. He has a good combination of power and speed racking up 23 HRs 15 SBs in his last 627 at bats. Werth selected twenty-second overall in the 1997 draft has shown a lot of offensive potential but so far has only batted .245 throughout his career. Werth has suffered through many injuries during his time in the majors. He lost all of his 2006 season with an injury to his left wrist and in five years of playing he has had only 721 at bats.

In the team’s official press release GM Pat Gillick spoke of Werth saying, “Jayson is a young outfielder with a combination of power and speed. He's had some injuries over the past couple years, but we think he has tremendous athleticism and we're very happy to have him in a Phillies uniform. He's a great addition to the club."

Werth could spell Burrell in left field in late inning situations much the way that Victorino did last year. Having a strong bench is essential to a team’s success. Werth provides power, speed, and defense off the Phillies bench and will aid them in their 07 campaign.

Sources:
Phillies Sign Werth
Phillies Official Press Release

Phils Sign Werth to replace Dellucci in Outfield
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