It's funny you bring these two guys up because I've been thinking a lot about these two players also. Ethier has been unheralded his whole career and a lot of the earlier stories I read on him had him as more of a journeyman type or fourth outfielder type player. Boy has he proved people wrong! While he's off to a great start this year, he's already been a solid player for the last couple of years.
I have loved Werth as a player for several years and as a former catcher his speed and overall athleticism amazes me. I would have given him a large contract and let Howard walk if I could have signed only one of the two. He is a five tool guy. He will be in line for a large contract if he gets to free agency.