Jayson Werth

In a lineup built around young talent like Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon and now Trea Turner, Werth has settled in as the grizzled veteran of the bunch. The 37-year-old stayed mostly healthy last season and topped 20 home runs for the first time since 2013, and while there are clear signs he's slowing down -- his defense, even in left field, continues to degrade, while his 22.9 percent strikeout rate was his worst since his free-swinging Phillies days -- the Nationals value his contributions in the clubhouse, and unless a kid like Michael Taylor or Brian Goodwin force their way into the lineup, the team wouldn't seem to have any better options on the depth chart. Werth's days of hitting near the top of the order are probably over, and his production could fall of a cliff any time now, but that's been true for three or four years and it hasn't happened yet. Another season with a low batting average and decent power numbers seems just as likely as a complete collapse.

The 36-year-old outfielder once again struggled with injuries, and Werth was very ineffective in the 88 games he did manage to play, posting career-worst numbers in all three slash categories. Shoulder and wrist issues were the primary cause of his woes, but once he got healthy in September, Werth responded with seven of his 12 home runs on the season and a .250/.333/.500 line that sat a little closer to his career norms. The Nationals haven't shown any indication that they're looking for an upgrade in left field this offseason and with two years and over $44 million left on his deal they may simply be willing to take the chance on Werth's aging body holding together for two more campaigns. He'll have occasional sparks of life, but season like 2015 are likely going to be the norm rather than the exception for however long he can hold on.

He wasn't able to match his impressive numbers from the year before, but Werth still managed to be plenty productive in 2014. His 147 games played marked his highest total since 2011, and even though the 16 home runs (the worst he's managed in a full season since becoming a starter with the Phillies back in the day) seem alarming given his age, his high doubles total and average flyball distance suggest it was a bit of a fluke rather than the start of a value-crushing downward trend. Werth's toolbox of power and contact skills, a great batting eye, the occasional steal and truly awe-inspiring facial hair seems intact, but the 35-year-old was forced to undergo surgery to repair an AC joint in his shoulder in January, clouding his status for the start of the regular season. He was handed an estimated recovery timetable of 2-to-3 months. If the (now) left fielder is able to return in a timely manner and remain healthy, he should be able to once again supply useful production from the heart of the Nationals' order.

After two seasons in which he became the poster boy for ill-advised giant contracts, Werth mostly stayed off the disabled list and exploded for full-season career highs in all three slash numbers. His days as a 20-steal threat appear to be over, but at least he's proven he's still capable of providing solid power numbers and a plus batting average. Whether Werth can stay healthy enough to continue supplying them, however, is a question that might be better left for another owner to answer.

Two seasons in to his mammoth free agent contract, Werth has yet to come close to paying for himself, as a litany of injuries limited him to half a season and a pitiful five home runs. Given his age, history and build there is no guarantee that he will simply bounce back to full health either, as nagging injuries could very well become the norm for him going forward. At the very least it is hard to see him posting a 5.3 percent HR/FB rate though, so even if he is limited to 400-450 at-bats, a regression back up to a HR/FB in the low teens should see him post respectable power numbers again. Just do not expect a return to his 2009-2010 glory days.

Werth's first season in Washington was a struggle in terms of power and batting average. His ISO dropped from .236 in 2010 to .157, and his weighted OBA dropped 64 points. An increase in strikeouts (24.7 percent rate), and groundballs (career high 43.7 percent rate), were responsible for the drop in batting average. His swinging-strike rate for 2011 was a career low 6.7 percent, and he did walk in over 11 percent of his plate appearances. Look for a rebound in 2012 with 25 home runs and a .350 OBP.

Werth put together another solid year for the Phillies in 2010 and was rewarded in December with a seven-year, $126 million deal from the Nationals. The multi-talented Werth has power, speed, a good eye at the plate and plays good defense in right field. Unfortunately for Werth, the move to DC takes him out of a homer-friendly home park in Philadelphia to a more spacious ballpark this season. He is also joining a weaker lineup so it wouldn't be surprising to see his numbers dip a bit this year. Despite that, Werth figures to remain one of the more valuable outfielders thanks to his ability to contribute to all five standard rotisserie categories.

Werth broke out in a big way last season, hitting 36 home runs, barely missing 100 RBI and runs scored and stealing 20 bases. In addition to power, Werth also has a good eye at the plate which could lead to a slightly improved batting average this season. He's probably one of the more underrated players in the game given his level of production because he is overshadowed by some of the other big offensive stars on the Phillies. Expect Werth to command big bucks or an early draft slot in fantasy leagues this year as he has that rare combination of power and speed.

Werth was a valuable pickup and helped plenty of fantasy teams succeed down the stretch last season. Werth platooned with Geoff Jenkins in right field for the first half of the season but took over the job after the All-Star break and concluded the 2008 season batting .273 with 24 home runs, 67 RBI, 73 runs and 20 stolen bases. If you're looking for something negative, he struck out 119 times in 418 at-bats, though that total should decline somewhat as he continues to mature at the plate. He'll enter 2009 as the starter and has legit 30-30 potential if he can log 500-plus at-bats.

Werth had a solid 2007 season, hitting .298, with 76 hits in 255 AB. He made some nice plays giving the Phils solid defense in right field. In 128.2 innings he had 35 PO, two Assists, one DP and no errors. The make-up of the Phillies outfield is a little up in the air, but expect to see Werth at least platoon in right.

After showing considerable promise in 2004, Werth hasn't been the same since an A.J. Burnett fastball broke his wrist in spring 2005. Two surgeries and a lost season later, he is back taking batting practice and hopes to be ready to start 2007. He signed with the Phillies this offseason and will work in a reserve role initially.

Werth isn't expected to be ready for the start of the season after offseason surgery on a wrist injury that went misdiagnosed in 2005, worsening as the season progressed. Keep your expectations low here.

One of GM Paul DePodesta's best moves was picking up Werth from Toronto prior to the start of the 2004 season. However, a torn ligament in his right elbow has put his 2005 season in doubt. Werth hopes that offseason rest will allow him to return to action this spring but surgery is still very much a possibility. He'll be a risky pick even if he doesn't have the surgery, since any aggravation could keep him out for an extended period.

Werth jostled back and forth between Triple-A and the majors when injuries dictated. His season at Triple-A was terrible (.237/.285/.441), but he's shown the knack to draw walks and swat the occasional longball in the past so we'll give him a mulligan here. Following the trade of Bobby Kielty, he has the inside track to stick as the reserve outfielder until Gabe Gross is ready to supplant both Werth and Reed Johnson.

Will get his at-bats as a reserve outfielder for Toronto, and would likely inherit a full-time role should Shannon Stewart or Jose Cruz Jr be dealt. In a part-time role, he'll get his 250 at-bats and hit .260-ish with moderate power. Given a bigger role, he'd be a nice end-gamer in fantasy leagues that count on-base percentage. He should be first in line to inherit at-bats if injuries hit the Toronto outfield or the Carlos Delgado/Josh Phelps duo at DH.