Dodgers find Werth more worthwhile than Jays

By Jim Callis
March 30, 2004

New Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta continues to cut deals with his former Athletics co-workers. After purchasing infielder/outfielder Jose Flores and outfielder/first baseman Jason Grabowski from Oakland earlier this month, DePodesta pulled off a trade Tuesday with Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi, another former member of the A's front office. Los Angeles received outfielder Jayson Werth in exchange for minor league righthander Jason Frasor.

Werth, 24, was a 1997 first-round pick of the Orioles out of an Illinois high school. He was a catcher for the first six seasons of his pro career before the Blue Jays, who acquired him in a December 2000 trade for John Bale, decided that at 6-foot-5 he was too tall to play regularly behind the plate. More athletic than most catchers, Werth has adapted well to the outfield. He can handle center field but is better suited for right field, where he shows a strong arm. His offense is holding him back more than his defense. His big body leads to a long swing that doesn't make enough contact, diluting his above-average power potential. He hit .237/.285/.441 with nine homers, 34 RBIs and 11 steals (in 12 tries) in 64 games at Triple-A Syracuse last year, which he started on the disabled list after straining his wrist in spring training. Werth has gotten 41 games and 94 at-bats over the last two years with Toronto, batting .234/.298/.383 with two homers and 16 RBIs. With Shawn Green reluctant to move to first base, Werth will have to settle for a reserve role in Los Angeles.

Frasor, 26, has exceeded expectations since the Tigers drafted him in the 33rd round out of Southern Illinois in 1999. He missed all of 2001 with an elbow injury, then went to the Dodgers in the Hiram Bocachica trade the following year. Frasor opened eyes last year, when he went 2-0, 2.51 with 23 saves in 50 games between high Class A Vero Beach and Double-A Jacksonville. He had an 86-18 K-BB ratio in 61 innings, and opponents batted .218 with two homers. He followed up with a strong Arizona Fall League, where his 91-95 mph fastball was one of the best in the league. His second pitch is a curveball. Frasor is just 5-foot-10 and generates his velocity with effort in his delivery, though it didn't hamper his ability to throw strikes last season.