Werth hits walkoff homer, signs with Boras

Few athletes in Philadelphia are more polarizing to fans than Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth. Take Sunday, for example. First, Werth hit a huge 2-run homer to beat the Nationals in the bottom of the 9th. Later, word came out that Werth, an impending free agent, has signed on with baseball super-agent Scott Boras. You know, the guy that regularly asks for and gets mega-million dollar contracts for his clients. If Werth wasn't leaving after this season before, signing with Boras certainly seals his fate.

Let's start with the homer, however. Werth's game winner capped a 4-run 9th inning comeback to help the Phillies steal a game they had no business winning. What makes the homer even more important is that it kept the Phillies three games up on the Braves, who they will now face in a three game series that starts Monday. With the win, the Phillies have less pressure and can get by with just winning one game in the series and still have a two game margin in the division.

As for signing with Boras, it just confirms what most Phillies fans already knew: Werth is going for the big money this offseason. Going with Boras means that all hopes of Werth taking a hometown discount are gone and he will be playing for the Yankees or Red Sox or whoever bids the most for his services. Since this is likely his one chance to get a big contract, you can hardly blame Werth for hiring the biggest gun in the business to help him cash in.

Let's hope Werth can make a few more memories with the Phillies before he leaves at the end of the season. I, for one, will enjoy watching Domonic Brown take over in right field at the beginning of the 2011 season.
(AP PHOTO)