Jayson Werth watched from the on-deck circle late Saturday night, as Ryan Howard was caught looking at Brian Wilson’s 3-2 pitch to end the game, the NLCS and the Phillies’ season.
That’s almost certainly as close as he’ll ever get to the plate for the Phils again. It’s no secret the 31-year-old is on the verge of free agency, where new agent Scott Boras is expected to help him rake in a windfall. It’s also no secret the Phillies are expected to let him walk, having committed millions toward their three aces — Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels — among others.
And that doesn’t even factor in the five-year, $125 million extension for Howard, who had the same number of RBIs in the postseason as anyone reading this. The difference? None of you struck out 17 times in 33 at-bats.
Having seen their march toward history — the Phils would have been the first NL team since the 1942-44 Cardinals to make it to three straight World Series — halted by the upstart Giants, there’s much for GM Ruben Amaro and Co. to consider. But Werth, who waved off interviews Saturday, is at the top of the list.
“Jayson’s a very good friend of mine,” said second baseman Chase Utley. “That being said, we don’t know what’s in his future.”
Jimmy Rollins suggested that Werth’s departure might not be such a forgone conclusion.
“I think there’s a good chance he’s back,” predicted Rollins. “It’s 50-50. He’s been big. He’s gotten big hits. Been a solid defensive player. A fun clubhouse guy and a team player. They’re the type of guys you need.”
