Nationalsclub.com | Washington Nationals News, nationals Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div> --OF Corey Patterson, the Reds' regular center fielder for the first two months last season, signed a minor league deal with the Nationals. Patterson, 29, lost his role in Cincinnati when he had a .200 average through the end of May, and he finished the year hitting .205 with 10 homers, 34 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 135 games.</div>--INF Jose Castillo, LHP Gustavo Chacin, C Gustavo Molina and RHP Jorge Sosa also signed minor league contracts with Washington. Castillo was the Giants' regular third baseman for much of the season before being dealt to the Astros. He finished with an overall .246 average, six homers and 27 RBIs. Molina and Sosa both saw brief action with the Mets last season. Chacin last pitched in the majors in 2007 before suffering a shoulder injury. --RHP Daniel Cabrera, who was non-tendered by the Orioles, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Nationals, according to multiple media reports. In 2008, Cabrera was 8-10 with a 5.25 ERA, but the 6-foot-9, 270-pound power pitcher led the American League in walks, wild pitches and hit batsmen. --OF/INF Willie Harris signed a two-year deal worth $3 million, remaining with the team for which he enjoyed the best season of his career this year. Harris established career highs in home runs (13) and RBIs (43) while providing solid defense at a number of positions for the Nationals. --RHP Tim Redding was not tendered a contract for the 2009 season, as the Nationals chose to part ways with their only double-digit winner from last season before he could command a sizable raise in arbitration. Redding, who was 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA last season, was the subject of trade rumors during the winter meetings earlier, with the Rockies believed to have strong interest in him. --RHP Shawn Hill was offered a contract for the 2009 season, affording him the opportunity to come back from arm trouble and win a spot in the Nationals rotation in spring training. Hill pitched through persistent elbow and forearm pain most of the season, finally being shut down for the season in September after spending most of the second half on a rehabilitation throwing program. --The Nationals announced they agreed to terms with two prospects from the Dominican Republic: 16-year-old C Bill Pena and 16-year-old LHP Gregory Baez. They are the 11th and 12th international free agents the team has signed this year. --Washington recently signed 13 free agents, including former Orioles SS Freddie Bynum and former Pirates 1B Brad Eldred, who could be a dark horse to make the team out of spring training. BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Pitchers the Nationals have who threw more than 150 innings last season. LHPs John Lannan and Scott Olsen, who was acquired in a November trade from the Marlins, are the only two pitchers to have that distinction after the team non-tendered RHP Tim Redding. QUOTE TO NOTE: "The only issue we had with Emilio is we wanted him to get better from the right side of the plate. We felt he was much better from the left side, and just continue to develop as a hitter knowing the strike zone because his game will depend a lot on his on-base percentage." -- Manager Manny Acta on 2B Emilio Bonifacio, who was dealt to Florida in the deal that brought LHP Scott Olsen and LF Josh Willingham to Washington.

--OF Corey Patterson, the Reds' regular center fielder for the first two months last season, signed a minor league deal with the Nationals. Patterson, 29, lost his role in Cincinnati when he had a .200 average through the end of May, and he finished the year hitting .205 with 10 homers, 34 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 135 games.

--INF Jose Castillo, LHP Gustavo Chacin, C Gustavo Molina and RHP Jorge Sosa also signed minor league contracts with Washington.

Castillo was the Giants' regular third baseman for much of the season before being dealt to the Astros. He finished with an overall .246 average, six homers and 27 RBIs.

Molina and Sosa both saw brief action with the Mets last season.

Chacin last pitched in the majors in 2007 before suffering a shoulder injury.

--RHP Daniel Cabrera, who was non-tendered by the Orioles, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Nationals, according to multiple media reports. In 2008, Cabrera was 8-10 with a 5.25 ERA, but the 6-foot-9, 270-pound power pitcher led the American League in walks, wild pitches and hit batsmen.

--OF/INF Willie Harris signed a two-year deal worth $3 million, remaining with the team for which he enjoyed the best season of his career this year. Harris established career highs in home runs (13) and RBIs (43) while providing solid defense at a number of positions for the Nationals.

--RHP Tim Redding was not tendered a contract for the 2009 season, as the Nationals chose to part ways with their only double-digit winner from last season before he could command a sizable raise in arbitration. Redding, who was 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA last season, was the subject of trade rumors during the winter meetings earlier, with the Rockies believed to have strong interest in him.

--RHP Shawn Hill was offered a contract for the 2009 season, affording him the opportunity to come back from arm trouble and win a spot in the Nationals rotation in spring training. Hill pitched through persistent elbow and forearm pain most of the season, finally being shut down for the season in September after spending most of the second half on a rehabilitation throwing program.

--The Nationals announced they agreed to terms with two prospects from the Dominican Republic: 16-year-old C Bill Pena and 16-year-old LHP Gregory Baez. They are the 11th and 12th international free agents the team has signed this year.

--Washington recently signed 13 free agents, including former Orioles SS Freddie Bynum and former Pirates 1B Brad Eldred, who could be a dark horse to make the team out of spring training.

BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Pitchers the Nationals have who threw more than 150 innings last season. LHPs John Lannan and Scott Olsen, who was acquired in a November trade from the Marlins, are the only two pitchers to have that distinction after the team non-tendered RHP Tim Redding.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "The only issue we had with Emilio is we wanted him to get better from the right side of the plate. We felt he was much better from the left side, and just continue to develop as a hitter knowing the strike zone because his game will depend a lot on his on-base percentage." -- Manager Manny Acta on 2B Emilio Bonifacio, who was dealt to Florida in the deal that brought LHP Scott Olsen and LF Josh Willingham to Washington.