With a sudden glut of outfielders, the Nationals are going to have some decisions to make as the rest of the offseason and spring training play out.
Washington's acquisition of Josh Willingham from the Marlins gives manager Manny Acta a big bopper for the middle of his lineup. It also gives Acta an excess of corner outfielders. Willingham expects to play left field with the Nationals. With Lastings Milledge returning to play center field, that leaves Austin Kearns and Elijah Dukes with only one starting position to fill.
Kearns is the established veteran of the group and has earned praise from Acta for his work ethic, professionalism and strong defensive skills. He's also due to make $8 million in 2009. But Kearns is coming off a wretched season in which he hit .217 with seven homers and 32 RBIs in 86 games. Injuries to his elbow and leg cost him the other half of the season.
Dukes, meanwhile, impressed when given a chance to play, hitting .264 with 13 homers, 44 RBIs and a .386 on-base percentage. But he was limited to 81 games himself because of an array of injuries, and he has yet to prove that his off-the-field problems are behind him.
Nationals general manager Jim Bowden could seek to trade Kearns and pave the way for Dukes to start, though he'd have a tough time finding another club willing to take on all of Kearns' salary. Barring a deal, the four outfielders could end up coming to spring training needing to earn their jobs, with the top three getting starting assignments and the fourth accepting a spot on the bench.
