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In seven seasons in D.C., after he signed a 7-year/$126M free agent deal with Washington’s Nationals in December of 2010, Jayson Werth put up a combined .263/.355/.433 line, with his best season, statistically, arguably, either his .318/.398/.532, 24 double, 25 homer, 4.4 fWAR season in 2013, or his .292/.394/.455, 37 double, 16 home run, 5.3 fWAR campaign in 2014.
Over 15 major league seasons with the Blue Jays, Dodgers, Phillies, and Nats, the now-39-year-old outfielder posted a .267/.360/.455 career line.
This afternoon, according to a report by Jon Heyman, Werth decided to call it a career after he tried one last time to make it back to the big leagues with the Seattle Mariners.
When he was still looking for a contract this past Spring, Werth said he wanted to give it a last shot, and if it don’t work out, “No regrets. Great run,” he said in a guest appearance on a live broadcast of his son’s high school game.
Werth was 26 for 126 (.206/.297/.389) with 11 doubles and four home runs in 36 games at Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners’ system this season, but Heyman writes that a hamstring issue played a role in finally deciding to call it quits.
He echoed his sentiments from this Spring in announcing his retirement, or “whatever you want to call it,” as he told Heyman.
“No regrets, man,” Werth added.
Werth’s agent, Scott Boras, never one for understatement, summed up the impact his client had on Washington, D.C. when he spoke to Heyman about the outfielder’s decision.
“‘Washington D.C. is known for its historic monuments documenting our country’s great leaders,’ Werth’s longtime agent Scott Boras said. ‘Werth will be remembered as the Nationals’ first true leader, documenting the beginning and rise of a great franchise.’”
Is there a bigger moment in Werth’s time with the Nationals than his Game 4 walk-off home run in the 2012 NLDS?
Do you buy into the idea, which Boras expressed, and many in Washington have expressed that he helped change the baseball culture in the nation’s capital?
Either way, great career, Jayson. Best of luck in your second life, whatever you do.