» Phillies Sign Werth, Barajas; Add Depth, Options

Phillies Sign Werth, Barajas; Add Depth, Options

MLB.com and Philly.com reporter Todd Zolecki broke news on Tuesday that the Phillies had signed outfielder Jayson Werth, recently cut by the Dodgers after missing the 2006 season with a wrist injury. Werth is seen as adding depth to the Phillies outfield. Werth can play all three positions.

Later in the day, MLB.com broke a second story; that it appears that the Phils have also reached agreement with Free Agent catcher Rod Barajas, formerly of the Texas Rangers.

Yahoo’s AP posts the terms of the Werth deal;

Werth, who played for Los Angeles in 2005, agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract with the chance to earn $150,000 more in performance bonuses. He figures to give the Phillies depth in the outfield.

Werth was first-round pick in 1997 and was drafted by Gillick when he was general manager of the Baltimore Orioles. He became a free agent when Los Angeles failed to offer a contract by the Dec. 11 deadline.

Philly.com’s Zolecki reports on Werth;

Werth, 27, did not play last season because of a left wrist injury that cost him part of 2005 as well. A.J. Burnett hit him in the wrist with a pitch in a 2005 Grapefruit League game.

Werth will have to pass a physical before he signs any contract, which could happen as early as today. Contract terms were not available.

Werth hit .234 with seven homers and 43 RBIs in 337 at-bats for the Dodgers in 2005 while he battled the wrist injury.

The righthanded hitter would join an outfield that includes Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand, Shane Victorino and Jeff Conine.

The Padres and Cardinals also reportedly were interested in Werth. Werth told the State Journal-Register of Springfield, Ill., that he still has some soreness in the wrist, but he expects to be ready for spring training.

MLB.com’s Andy Jasner reports on Philly GM Pat Gillick’s observations on Werth;

“Jayson is a young outfielder with a combination of power and speed,” Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said in a statement. “He’s had some injuries over the past couple years, but we think he has tremendous athleticism and we’re very happy to have him in a Phillies uniform. He’s a great addition to the club.”

In ‘04, Werth gave the Dodgers a spark by hitting .262 with 16 home runs and 47 RBIs in 89 games. He also was 4-for-14 with two homers in the National League Division Series.

“I’m looking forward to playing in Philadelphia,” Werth said in a statement. “To be grouped in with a bunch of good young hitters, it feels like a great fit. I’ve heard a lot about the fans’ passion and I’m excited to get going. Also, it meant a lot to be reunited with Mr. Gillick.”

Werth has a career average of .245 with 25 home runs and 106 RBIs in 232 games for the Blue Jays (2002-03) and Dodgers (2004-05). He has also stolen 17 bases in 20 career attempts.

MLB.com’s Ken Mandel reports on the apparent Phillies signing of catcher Rod Barajas, as yet unconfirmed and terms undisclosed;

The Phillies appeared to have upgraded at catcher Tuesday by agreeing to a deal with Rod Barajas.

A baseball source said the team was close to signing the veteran backstop, though the terms were unknown. General manager Pat Gillick had no comment on an agreement, which likely can’t come until after Barajas passes a physical.

A deal with Barajas comes hours after the team signed outfielder Jayson Werth, who earlier in the week had been non-tendered by the Dodgers. By nightfall, the Phillies may have addressed their catching with the veteran of 536 Major League games.

The righty swinger, 31, is regarded as a solid receiver with a good throwing arm and pop at the plate. In 97 games with Texas last season, he hit 11 homers and drove in 41 runs in 344 at-bats. In 2005, he set career highs with 21 homers and 60 RBIs in 120 games, also with the Rangers.

Barajas’ arrival could take some pressure off Carlos Ruiz, who was expected to inherit the job after two solid seasons at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. With the Phillies hoping to be in a pennant race, the more experienced Barajas could mentor Ruiz in areas that go beyond learning how to handle a big-league pitching staff.

The move might also allow Chris Coste to serve as the team’s primary pinch-hitter, third catcher and emergency corner infielder, giving manager Charlie Manuel more options late in games. Though Coste thrived catching the bulk of Philadelphia’s games last season, the Phillies had been looking at options for an upgrade.

Last month, Barajas signed a terms sheet with Toronto on a two-year, $5.25-million deal, though that deal fell apart at the last minute after he switched agents. Toronto signed Gregg Zaun and Barajas went back on the market.

He was believed to have picked the Phillies over the Rockies and Rangers.

These two deals apparently will give Phils manager Charlie Manual more flexibility. directions and options for the upcoming season. For instance, Coste is seen as a “primary pinch hitter” off of his .328 BA in 65 games last season. Do we have the makings of the next Del Unser or Greg Gross?

Also, Coste is referred to as an “emergency corner infielder.” I know that he handled a few chances at 1st base last season. Does “corner” also mean 3rd base? We know that Manual could use another possible late inning option at 3rd rather than the enemic hitting Abraham Nunez.

As the Phils fill their holes at other positions, we still await the deal which adds depth and talent in the bullpen.

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