Report: Jayson Werth Close To A Deal With Nationals

It was assumed that Jayson Werth would be in search of a big payday as a free agent this offseason. And it was long rumored that the Nationals might be interested in making some moves and spending some money. But Werth to the Nationals? That would be a bit of a surprise.

And yet, that's what MLB.com's Todd Zolecki is reporting is in the works, citing sources that said Werth's agent, Scott Boras, was close to inking a deal for Werth with the Nationals.

That would be a big, if expected, loss for the Phillies, and an especially painful one if Werth helped the improving Nationals make up for the loss of Adam Dunn with some middle-of-the-order pop. It would also be one of this offseason's more unexpected moves: recent speculation linked Werth with the Red Sox and Tigers, not the Nats, and Werth's asking price was expected to be a sum that only some of the biggest teams in the majors could afford.

So what could have swayed Werth to Washington? A six-year offer, rumored to be Werth's desired contract length, would probably be a fairly persuasive proposition.