Bearded transient Jayson Werth will sign with the Nationals, according to Ken Rosenthal, Todd Zolecki and some others. Terms have not yet been released. Perhaps the loss of Adam Dunn motivated Nats GM Mike Rizzo to make a move. Maybe Ryan Zimmerman's comments earlier this week played a role as well.

This is a mild surprise but very welcome news. The Red Sox and Tigers were reportedly targeting Werth but there was no recent mention of the Nats' interest. The Phillies just got weaker. Chase Utley's wife could not be reached for comment.

Update: The deal is 7 years, $126 million, per Rosenthal. That's $18 million a year. No word if GM Rizzo knows Werth is 31 years-old. This is the same deal Barry Zito signed with the Giants a few years back.

Update 2: Here is video of Carl Crawford and his agent Greg Genske, upon hearing the Werth news (via @DonCheech):

Update 3: It looks like GM Rizzo took former Nats President Stan Kasten's Winter Meetings advice to heart:

"Go hang in the bars until 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, picking up whatever you can."

After four hours at the bar, $126 million looks like Monopoly money.

Update 4: Chris Needham of Nats blog Capitol Punishment used his advanced technology to project what Werth will look like in seven years. Click here for the result.

Update 5: Sandy Alderson's got jokes: