SB Nation Philly Editor's Pick

Why Doth the Beard?

by raboo on Sep 8, 2010 10:40 PM EDT

Disclaimer: This post is definitely not statistic related, and has no basis in fact whatsoever. But I have to get something off my chest that's been bothering me since Spring Training, and am curious if anyone has considered the following possibility:

Is Jayson Werth's extreme beard growth over the past year in expectation that he will sign with the Yankees in the off season?

Reasons to consider Jayson's reasons for growing his beard and scalp hair longer this year:

- Jayson may been scruffy in the past, but both his facial and scalp hair have gone to new levels this year.

- Jayson is a free agent this coming season

- Jayson has a relationship with the Yankees via Reggie Jackson, whom he has known since he was 7, and whom still works for the Yankees: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/sports/89377972.html

- The Yankees have expressed interest in acquiring Werth during the offseason

- The Yankees have a no beard, no long hair policy

- Johnny Damon was reborn in New York when he shaved his beard and long locks to go there, and made extra headlines for doing so.

- Jayson has stated that he's been playing for this year his whole life, which means he's expecting a big contract. Was this from the Phightins? or from the Yankees who have the need, money and connections for his services?

Was/Is Jayson preparing for a Damon-like entrance in New York next year? So that he can make a media splash at the time of his arrival with his new clean shaven looks?

On a side note, first place feels nice again :-)

Poll

Has Jayson Werth been growing his beard/hair in anticipation of signing with the Yankees and then dramatically appearing clean-shaven in his media introduction?

Yes

24 votes

No

24 votes

48 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Should have been a third option on the poll: what the fuck?

Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.

by FuquaManuel on Sep 8, 2010 10:55 PM EDT reply actions

Apologies, should have added another option to the poll for those who would not appreciate the light-heartedness of it. Thought it would be an amusing change of pace from the usual posts.

by raboo on Sep 8, 2010 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah that’s FM alright. Just doesn’t appreciate the lighthearted, that guy.

by taco pal on Sep 9, 2010 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

I continue to be amazed by conspirarcy theorists and what they can come up with. I will give this guy credit for coming up with something unique.

The Mikan Drill

by JoshuaR on Sep 9, 2010 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I dunno

Maybe?

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Sep 9, 2010 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

regardless

For someone who by nearly all accounts is an intensely private person, I strongly doubt that he’s really looking to “make headlines” by shaving his beard and cutting his hair upon signing with the Yankees.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Sep 9, 2010 9:59 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I think he’d rather go the Abreu route if he goes to the Yankees. Arrive with minimal fanfare, quietly do a good job, leave.

by Cormican on Sep 9, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Are the Yankees a good fit? They already have three good outfielders and one good DH under contract for 2011. Werth is, of course, better than all of them except for perhaps Swisher, but still.

by taco pal on Sep 9, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I could actually see the Angels grabbing him, though he would also fit well with the Red Sox approach (patient, sees a lot of pitches). I think if the Yankees are serious about Cliff Lee, they won’t make a serious push for Werth. Even the Yankees have a ceiling for what they can spend and 40M on 2 positions in the same offseason even seems beyond reason for the Yankees.

by Cormican on Sep 9, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Werth actually grew up an Angels fan because of his uncle. They have Hunter, Abreu, and Rivera all under contract, though. Plus Bourjos. And Trout is on his way up the ladder.

by taco pal on Sep 9, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought Rivera was a 1 year contract.

by Cormican on Sep 9, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Cot’s says 3 years, through 2011.

by taco pal on Sep 9, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

The (relatively) big market team that I think could really use him is the Giants. They have a ton of OFs right now, but a lot of their contracts are up after this season. They could be left with only Andres Torres and Aaron Rowand, and Rowand doesn’t count since he sucks now. Got a couple of decent prospects in AA, but Werth would still make sense for them.

The Red Sox would be a good fit too, except that I thought they were going to focus on Crawford.

by taco pal on Sep 9, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Nothing to say you can’t try for both.

by Cormican on Sep 9, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I guess it’s possible. If they don’t re-sign Ortiz, that’ll mean they’ll have four spots filled by J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ryan Kalish, and Darnell McDonald. If they signed two FA outfielders, they could bump McDonald to fourth OF and one other guy to DH.

by taco pal on Sep 9, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions