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, signed minor league deal with Mariners).
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, Austin Kearns and possibly Adam Dunn.
PROJECTED ROTATION:
1. LHP John Lannan
2. LHP Scott Olsen
3. RHP Daniel Cabrera
4. RHP Collin Balester
5. 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.
The final spots are 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. LF Adam Dunn
5. RF Elijah Dukes
6. 1B Nick Johnson
7. C Jesus Flores
8. 2B Anderson Hernandez
The majors' least-productive lineup gets a boost with the signing of Dunn, who adds a legitimate home run threat to the lineup but also complicates the competition at first base and the outfield. Manager Manny Acta hinted he wanted both Dunn and Johnson in the lineup at the same time, and the pair of patient left-handed hitters could fit nicely around Dukes.
Austin Kearns and Josh Willingham likely will have to force their way into the lineup if Dunn winds up in the outfield. The Nationals don't want to take playing time away from Milledge or Dukes, which means Kearns and Willingham might come off the bench.
PROJECTED RESERVES:
C Wil Nieves
INF Ronnie Belliard
OF/INF Willie Harris
OF Austin Kearns
OF Josh Willingham
The Nationals' bench gets more crowded with the signing of Adam Dunn, who likely pushes Willingham to the bench and makes it difficult for INF Alex Cintron to earn a spot. A trade could send Kearns out of town and open a spot for another middle infielder, which the Nationals might need if Cristian Guzman's injury troubles resurface.
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:
RHP Shawn Hill (arthroscopic elbow surgery in August 2008) was scratched from a March 5 start due to tightness in his forearm. Dr. James Andrews found no structural damage in his elbow, and Hill resumed throwing off flat ground on March 11.