At the team's inaugural NatsFest, general manager Jim Bowden said again that the team was not beaten by anybody on the number of years or the salary figure they offered Teixeira, meaning they offered at least the same deal the Yankees did.

"We were not outbid by anyone," Bowden said. "Our ownership was so committed to winning that we competed at the highest level for the player. Now, unfortunately, our team's not good enough on the field right now for free agents to decide they want to play here over places that are proven to get there.

"But for them to stand up at that level like they did, with that many years and that much money at the table, that just speaks volumes."

For all the talk, however, the team has not signed a major free agent all winter, getting only pitcher Daniel Cabrera to sign a one-year, $2.6 million deal.

The Nationals made a trade for left-hander Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham in November, but their pursuits of Adam Dunn and Orlando Hudson have yielded only rumors to this point.

Team president Stan Kasten said last weekend that the team would spend what it takes to win, but when asked about payroll by a fan, he couched that approach by pointing to the Tampa Bay Rays' trip to the World Series last season, despite one of the lowest payrolls in baseball.

"Do you want last year's teams in the American League that had payrolls all over $100 million and ended up last? Or do you want the $40 million team from Tampa that went to the World Series?" Kasten asked fans.

"You don't care about payroll. What you care about is your team. Payroll is not a guarantee of success, nor is it an excuse for losing."

The Nationals had a $54.2 million payroll last season, the fifth lowest in the majors. Unless the team signs a free agent or two before Opening Day, that number is likely to drop in 2009.