--1B/OF Adam Dunn said he had doubts through much of the offseason about signing with the Nationals, but after conversations with manager Manny Acta, OF Austin Kearns and 3B Ryan Zimmerman, he warmed to the idea of playing with a team that lost 102 games last season. "Coming into the offseason, I was sold on playing for a contender, playing for a team that's already proven themselves," Dunn said. "I did my research. I didn't realize the injuries. I didn't realize how young these guys were."
--1B Nick Johnson said his right wrist is mostly recovered from surgery that ended his season after 38 games last season, but he will have to tape the wrist most of the season. "It gets sore here and there, but I never lose strength," Johnson said. "It's something I'll have to deal with all year. There are no limitations of letting it go. I'll just tape it up." --OF Austin Kearns didn't express any public concern that the signing of close friend Adam Dunn might relegate him to the bench or send him out of town in a trade. Dunn might wind up as an outfielder, further clouding an already packed position and increasing the likelihood Kearns will be on the outside looking in after a disappointing 2008 season. "I've seen situations like that before," Kearns said. "That stuff usually plays itself out."
--3B Ryan Zimmerman, who was one of the players working the hardest to convince Adam Dunn to sign with the Nationals, said the slugger's presence will help set an example for some of the Nationals' young players. Zimmerman, who is often viewed as the face of the franchise at 24, has hinted Washington needed to acquire veterans who could lead in the clubhouse. "We were almost too individual (last season). There were so many of those so-called leaders that weren't there," Zimmerman said. "Nobody said anything. We have to learn we can't make same mistakes twice. We'll be able to communicate better as a team (because of Dunn)."
--OF Josh Willingham has yet to have his arbitration hearing with the Nationals, but he'll likely have a bigger concern as it relates to how much money he'll make in future years: With the signing of Adam Dunn, the Nationals' outfield picture could be so cluttered that Willingham loses a starting spot. The right-handed hitter, who was penciled into the left field spot after Washington acquired him from Florida in November, could now find himself in a three-way battle for the right field job with Austin Kearns and Elijah Dukes. Willingham also has played first base at times in his career, another position Dunn could occupy.
BY THE NUMBERS: 26 -- Number by which Adam Dunn would have led the Nationals in home runs last season. He hit 40 homers for Cincinnati and Arizona; Lastings Milledge led Washington with 14.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's boring to watch. I watch video all the time. I fast-forward myself. I wish I was more aggressive, but I've tried that, and it didn't work. If (I don't get my pitch), see you at first. Or the dugout." -- New Nationals slugger Adam Dunn, on the patient hitting approach that's both helped him to a lifetime .381 on-base percentage and put him among the majors' most frequent strikeout victims.
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