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 with Mariners), RHP Shawn Hill (released).

PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. LHP John Lannan

2. LHP Scott Olsen

3. RHP Daniel Cabrera

4. RHP Jordan Zimmermann

5. RHP Shairon Martis

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. RHP Collin Balester was erratic in his first big-league campaign in 2008. He might be losing ground to Martis. Zimmermann is the organization's top pitching prospect and could make the Opening Day roster if he continues to dazzle in spring training.

PROJECTED BULLPEN:

RHP Joel Hanrahan (closer)

LHP Joe Beimel

RHP Saul Rivera

RHP Julian Tavarez

RHP Steven Shell

RHP Garrett Mock

LHP Mike Hinckley

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. The signings of Beimel and Tavarez add a veteran presence to this group and should give it some backbone in the late innings.

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:

C Jesus Flores (sore right elbow) was slowed early in spring training. He took batting practice for the first time on March 19.