Nats Enquirer: Jayson Werth wanted change, got it.

June 23, 2011

Jayson Werth wanted change, got it.

(Jayson Werth talks to the media after Thursday's win over the Mariners. Also, Werth heard about Jim Riggleman's resignation, and it's a real bummer. Screen grab via CSNWashington.com)

Despondent Jim Riggleman fan Jayson Werth might not ever get over Jim Riggleman's resignation.

Here's Jayson Werth on Jim Riggleman's resignation:

"It's not going to change anything in here. We're the ones that have been making pitches and hitting balls and winning ballgames. We're going to keep going. I feel good about these guys in here, the direction of this franchise. I think there's a lot of positives and a lot of good things to come from this team. We're moving forward."
(Jayson Werth, via CSNWashington.com, 6/23/2011)

Clearly, Jayson Werth is broken up over the news. Consider this, from Washington Times' Nathan Fenno:

And here's Riggleman, talking about how he thought Nats' players would react to the news:

"You know, some of 'em, it's probably the best news they could've got today..."
(Jim Riggleman, via MASN, 6/23/2011)

Might as well rehash Werth's comments from May 25th in Milwaukee, when the S.S. Riggleman was taking on water and sinking fast, and the $126 M Man started complaining to the media (later complained that the media misquoted him or something, but whatever.):

"I’ve got some ideas obviously, and some thoughts, none I really want to share with the world. I think it’s pretty obvious what’s going on around here. I’m not really going to get into it right now. It is what it is. It’s unfortunate. We’re a way better ballclub."
(Jayson Werth, via Washington Post, 5/25/2011)

"Good players are resilient. They bounce back. I believe in these guys in here. We've got a great group of guys. We've got a lot of talent. We just need to keep going. A lot of these guys are kind of still learning. We've got to make sure they continue to develop, regardless of whether they're winning or losing, because I think that's important to the future of this club. But things need to change."
(Jayson Werth, via MASNSports.com, 5/25/2011)

Nary a peep from Rizzo about those comments, and although Riggleman and Werth reportedly buried the hatchet in a closed-door meeting a few weeks later, can you blame Riggles for wanting to have a conversation with Rizzo about a contract extension-- especially if he's feeling that he's losing the clubhouse? (*cough* *cough* MarquisdugouttiradeinBaltimore *cough*) But during one of the hottest stretches in the brief history of the Washington Nationals? Does it warant career suicide? Must have gotten pretty bad for Jim Riggleman; either that or Riggleman has lost his mind.