MLB Free Agency: Power-Ranking All 30 Teams’ Odds at Getting Jayson Werth
Pretty much everyone knows about the two gems of this year's free-agency period, Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford. Even though the pool is relatively weak this year, there are other big names out there. One of the most notable is Phillies right fielder Jayson Werth.
Werth had a career year this past season, hitting .296 with 27 home runs, 85 RBI, and a league-high 46 doubles, en route to an eighth-place finish in MVP voting. As such, there are many that could use his bat in the lineup.
Which teams have the best chance to land him and who is the front-runner?
Good chances: Giants, Angels, Phillies, Tigers, Red Sox.
30. Cleveland Indians
1 of 30
The Indians don't buy top-level free agents. Even if they did, right field is the one place they don't need anyone, as they have Shin-soo Choo there.
29. Florida Marlins
2 of 30
The Marlins also don't buy top-level players, and even if they did, they have Mike Stanton at right, who's projected to be great for them for many years, or at least until his free-agency period starts.
28. Arizona Diamondbacks
3 of 30
The Diamondbacks are more than fine at right with their star Justin Upton. Even in the .1 percent chance that the team trades Justin Upton, the Diamondbacks wouldn't just go out and get Werth.
If he is traded to one of the contenders for Werth, however, that could change up this ranking system entirely.
27. Seattle Mariners
4 of 30
While they do spend money at times, like they did in the past for Erik Bedard and Chone Figgins, they're not going to tackle the outfield if they touch anything.
After all, Ichiro and Franklin Gutierrez were the only two that did much of anything for them this past year.
26. San Diego Padres
5 of 30
The team that will likely have the smallest payroll and is built around pitching will obviously pick up a power hitter, right? Of course not.
25. Oakland Athletics
6 of 30
Pretty much the same scenario as the Padres. That and I don't think they're ready to give up on Ryan Sweeney yet.
24. Pittsburgh Pirates
7 of 30
There are some rumors floating around that the Pirates could actually be buyers for some high-level free agents. I don't buy that, and even if I did, I wouldn't pick Werth to make the jump there.
23. Texas Rangers
8 of 30
The Rangers will either re-sign Clif Lee, or find a great pitcher like Zack Greinke to replace him.
What they won't do is mess with a Josh Hamilton/Julio Borbon/Nelson Cruz outfield.
22. Milwaukee Brewers
9 of 30
The Brewers already have Ryan Braun and Corey Hart inked to sizable deals, so there's nowhere Werth fits even if they did want him.
21. Atlanta Braves
10 of 30
There's a .1 percent chance of it happening if Werth agrees to play in left field full-time, since obviously Jason Heyward has right field locked up.
20. Baltimore Orioles
11 of 30
Rumor has it that the O's could very well be buyers this year, either through trades or free agency, now that they suddenly realize they could be good.
ne person that's not on their radar, however, is Werth, as right field is cemented by Nick Markakis.
19. Cincinnati Reds
12 of 30
The Reds might try and find a piece to push them further in the playoffs, but they have their outfield pretty cemented with Jay Bruce and others, so Werth won't be it.
18. Kansas City Royals
13 of 30
In a way, Werth would fit well with the Royals. In another way, it's tough to say what exactly the Royals have planned this offseason.
Are they in fire-sale mode, building-prospects mode, or just planning for later? No chance here.
17. Houston Astros
14 of 30
Yet another team where he might fit if they didn't already have Hunter Pence and the rest of the outfield in decent shape.
Only chance is if they buy out Carlos Lee's contract, which won't happen.
16. Minnesota Twins
15 of 30
The Twins' hitting is not the reason they haven't won a title. There would be nowhere for Werth to fit in with Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Jason Kubel, Delmon Young, etc.
15. St. Louis Cardinals
16 of 30
Has Jon Jay made enough of an impact to keep right field for years? I say yes, but who knows.
Very slim chance, since the Cards want to get back in the playoff hunt. I'd rather see them fix their infield if I were a Cards fan.
14. Los Angeles Dodgers
17 of 30
You never know what the Dodgers will do in an offseason, especially given all the divorce and front-office issues.
Would they sign Werth and move Andre Ethier to left? I highly doubt it, but there's always that very outside chance.
13. Tampa Bay Rays
18 of 30
Some sources I've seen have the Rays as frontrunners, but I honestly don't see it. Their outfield and bullpen will be taking huge blows this offseason, yes, but replacing Crawford with Werth probably won't be as helpful as it sounds.
The front office seems to know what it's doing, so Werth not being signed isn't a major concern if you're a Rays fan.
12. Chicago Cubs
19 of 30
Would the Cubs let go of Kosuke Fukudome's contract and sign Werth in his place? Probably not, especially considering they have so many other big contracts to deal with right now.
You can't discount the possibility, though.
11. New York Mets
20 of 30
This is actually a pretty good fit in my mind, but it would require getting rid of either Jason Bay, Angel Pagan or Carlos Beltran.
A Beltran trade is the only one with the slightest chance of happening, and I can't see anyone picking up that contract.
10. Washington Nationals
21 of 30
I don't see this as much of a fit, but the Nationals always seem to be buyers whose name floats around on most top-level free agents. This has created problems for them, though, as Chien-Ming Wang and Jason Marquis didn't exactly pan out that well.
That being said, I'm sure they'd like to find a replacement for Adam Dunn, if necessary.
9. New York Yankees
22 of 30
You can never count the Yankees out of any free-agent talks, and in other years they would be higher. However, they have Jeter, Mo, Cliff Lee and others to deal with.
If they're going to pick an outfielder to spend on, Carl Crawford would be a better fit for them. Then again, they could always sign Werth or both and just have Nick Swisher DH.
8. Chicago White Sox
23 of 30
If Carlos Quentin is traded, then I could see the White Sox suddenly becoming frontrunners in a scramble to acquire him. If he does not get traded though, there's always an outside chance of having Quentin DH and having Werth play right field.
If they had to choose between Konerko and Werth, however, Werth will be on another team.
7. Colorado Rockies
24 of 30
An outfield with Carlos Gonzalez and Jayson Werth would be a sight to see. There's no real connection being made by others to say Werth is looking at the Rockies, but they could always be a dark-horse team.
6. Toronto Blue Jays
25 of 30
If you plugged Werth into the Blue Jays lineup, you would have a very dangerous one. I'm not really sure why they don't get brought up, because it fits very nicely. Just put Jose Bautista at third and Werth at right.
If they do end up expressing interest, though, the Red Sox and Yankees would probably make sure a signing does not happen.
Perhaps that's wishful thinking for Toronto fans. After all, they had him once and it didn't work.
5. Philadelphia Phillies
26 of 30
The top five are the frontrunners, the ones that are really in contention for him. If he goes to any team, it will be one of these.
So many people are writing off the Phillies because he has not already signed with them, but you can't discount them. After trouble with the Blue Jays and Dodgers, he flourished as a member of the Phillies, and he fits perfectly into the lineup. The longer it takes for him to sign, however, the less likely it will be with the Phillies.
4. San Francisco Giants
27 of 30
Would Werth be a good fit on the Giants? Absolutely. They need some outfield help, and Werth fits into the lineup very well. Would the Giants be willing to spend their money on Werth to bring him to the Bay Area? The Giants are likely more interested in getting Juan Uribe re-signed and working from there, but it is still a good possibility.
If the Giants won the World Series with that lineup, imagine them winning one with Werth in the lineup. Certainly a much easier accomplishment.
3. Detroit Tigers
28 of 30
The Tigers are clearly willing to open up their wallet this offseason, after signing Victor Martinez. Adding in Jayson Werth to replace Magglio Ordonez in right would also make their lineup a force to be reckoned with.
Personally, I think they should be looking more closely at pitching rather than tweaks to an already-good lineup, but there's no question that Werth would be right at home at Comerica Park.
2. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
29 of 30
The Angels have been building for the future and seem to be ready to strike. They are definitely buyers this offseason, and with Hideki Matsui entering free agency, a spot opens up for Werth. It's a great fit for him, as he can go right in the middle of the lineup with Bobby Abreu and Kendry Morales.
This would be dependent on Abreu becoming the DH for the Angels. This move sounds just fine to me, and he would really make that lineup a force.
1. Boston Red Sox
30 of 30
The Red Sox lineup was depleted last year due to injury, and it's going to be depleted again this year due to the loss of Victor Martinez and likely Adrian Beltre. It's a perfect fit for Werth, as he fits perfectly in an outfield that badly needs some stability, and can provide the power that Martinez would leave behind without a problem.
That and his look is reminiscent of Johnny Damon. If it comes down to a bidding war between two teams, it's highly likely that the Red Sox will be the ones to win out. They have deep pockets, and Werth seems to be their main focus. Everything works out for this to happen.
