By Justin Worsley,
The Washington Nationals made the first surprising move in free agency, signing right fielder Jayson Werth to a seven-year, $126 million deal.
Werth, 31, was considered the top outfielder in free agency and was rumored to be sought after by the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. The right-hander spent the last four season in Philadelphia, where he had a breakout season in 2008, hitting 24 home runs and 67 RBIs, both career highs at the time, as the Phillies went on to win the World Series.
Last season, Werth hit .296 with 27 homers and 85 RBIs, helping Philadelphia obtain a league-best 97-65 record.
Werth has also never made more than $7 million per season. His contract now averages out to $18 million per year.
The move also shows that the Nationals are trying to immediately become contenders in a crowded NL East. The club has not had a winning record since 2003, their second to last season in Montreal.
The deal was negotiated by agent Scott Boras, who has also worked the deals of outfielder Bryce Harper and pitcher Stephen Strasburg, both of whom were taken with the first-overall pick in the last two drafts by Washington.
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