DEPARTURES: LHP Charlie Manning (claimed off waivers by Cardinals), 2B Emilio Bonifacio (traded to Marlins), INF Aaron Boone (free agent, signed with Astros), RHP Tim Redding (non-tendered, signed with Mets), RHP Chad Cordero (free agent, unsigned).

SPRING FOCUS: There is plenty for the Nationals to sort out this spring. They must put together a rotation that has only two guaranteed members as camp opens (John Lannan and Scott Olsen). They must determine if Nick Johnson is finally healthy or if they need to look elsewhere for a first baseman. They must pick a starting second baseman from a pool that includes Anderson Hernandez, Ronnie Belliard and Willie Harris. And they must sort out a crowded outfield that boasts Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, Josh Willingham and Austin Kearns.

PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. LHP John Lannan

2. LHP Scott Olsen

3. RHP Daniel Cabrera

4. LHP Odalis Perez

5. RHP Collin Balester or RHP Jordan Zimmermann

Only the top two spots are secure, with young lefties Lannan and Olsen serving as the group's foundation. Cabrera was signed as a free agent, and pitching coach Randy St. Claire hopes to harness the right-hander's immense potential after it went awry in Baltimore. Perez was re-signed to a minor league contract but is likely to make the rotation unless he struggles through the spring.

The final spot is completely up for grabs. Balester was erratic in his first big-league campaign in 2008. Zimmermann is the organization's top pitching prospect and could make the Opening Day roster if he dazzles this spring, although he probably needs more seasoning. RHP Shawn Hill, trying to return from a forearm injury, is another candidate, as is RHP Jason Bergmann.

PROJECTED BULLPEN:

RHP Joel Hanrahan (closer)

RHP Saul Rivera

RHP Steven Shell

RHP Garrett Mock

LHP Mike Hinckley

RHP Terrell Young

RHP Gary Glover or LHP Wil Ledezma

What used to be the Nationals' backbone is now a potential weakness. Injuries and trades forced Washington to completely revamp its relief corps. What remains is a highly inexperienced group that does have some potential to thrive.

Hanrahan is a hard-throwing former starter who didn't seem fazed by the closer's role during his late-season tryout. Rivera has been an unsung, reliable workhorse the last two years. Shell and Mock performed well as rookies, as did Hinckley, who did not allow an earned run in September. Young, the first pick in the Rule 5 draft, is a flame-thrower who could surprise. Glover and Ledezma are world-weary veterans who were signed to minor league contracts with a shot at making the club.

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. SS Cristian Guzman

2. CF Lastings Milledge

3. 3B Ryan Zimmerman

4. 1B Nick Johnson

5. RF Elijah Dukes

6. LF Josh Willingham

7. C Jesus Flores

8. 2B Anderson Hernandez

The majors' least-productive lineup hopes to get a boost from a healthy Johnson, who missed all of 2007 with a broken leg and most of 2008 with a torn wrist, and a more experienced Dukes, who flashed greatness during an up-and-down first year in Washington. The addition of Willingham adds some power to the bottom half of the lineup, though much will depend on Guzman and Milledge continuing their success from last season to set the table.

The outfield is crowded, with Austin Kearns, Willie Harris and Wily Mo Pena all trying to force their way into the lineup. Kearns will make $8 million this year, but his poor production in 2008 could cost him a shot in 2009.

PROJECTED RESERVES:

C Wil Nieves

INF Ronnie Belliard

INF Alex Cintron

OF Austin Kearns

OF/INF Willie Harris

If everyone stays healthy, the Nationals' bench should be much improved. But that would require the starting lineup to avoid injury, something that wasn't possible a year ago. Kearns will be battling for a starting spot and could wind up in right field, with Elijah Dukes or Lastings Milledge relegated to the bench.

Harris was arguably the Nationals' most valuable player in 2008, a versatile and upbeat veteran who played six positions. Belliard could beat out Anderson Hernandez for the starting second base job. Nieves proved a capable backup and mentor to young C Jesus Flores. Cintron was signed as a minor league free agent but has the inside track at a backup infielder job.

TOP ROOKIES: RHP Jordan Zimmermann, a 2007 draft pick out of tiny Wisconsin-Stevens Point, catapulted his way through the Nationals' farm system and is now rated their top pitching prospect. The 23-year-old will have a shot at making the big-league rotation this spring, though the club could decide he needs a brief stop at Class AAA first. RHP Terrell Young, a hard-throwing reliever, was the first selection in the Rule 5 draft and stands a good shot at making the roster.

MEDICAL WATCH:

1B Nick Johnson (right wrist surgery in June 2008) has rehabbed all winter and expects to be ready for the start of spring training.

OF Wily Mo Pena (left rotator cuff surgery in July 2008) worked out during the offseason. Although he didn't play winter ball, he is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

RHP Shawn Hill (arthroscopic elbow surgery in August 2008) began throwing off a mound in early February and expected to be ready for the start of spring training.