Washington Nationals: Spring Training Information

By The Nationals Enquirer
Location: Viera, Florida
Pitchers and Catchers Report: February 15th
First Game: February 28th
Schedule

Projected Lineup

1. Cristian Guzman SS
2. Nick Johnson 1B
3. Ryan Zimmerman 3B
4. Adam Dunn LF
5. Elijah Dukes RF
6. Lastings Milledge CF
7. Jesus Flores C
8. Anderson Hernandez 2B
9. Pitcher

Projected Rotation

1. John Lannan
2. Scott Olsen
3. Odalis Perez
4. Daniel Cabrera
5. Collin Balester

Projected Bullpen 

Long: Jason Bergmann 
Situational: Garrett Mock, Steven Shell 
Setup: Saul Rivera 
Closer: Joel Hanrahan

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Key Battles:

Offseason Recap: The 2009 Winter of the Nationals Discontent began as the final out of the final game of a major-league worst 102-loss season was recorded. The silver lining that afternoon was that the team locked up the ignominious honor of the worst record in baseball, "earning" the rights to the #1 pick in the 2009 First Year Player Draft. The projected top pick, San Diego State University's Steven Strasburg, could eventually prove to be a prize with the potential to erase all memory of the drudgery of the 2008 season from the memory banks of Nationals fans; but as Fall turned to Winter in Washington, the June 2009 draft might as well have been happening in June 2020.

In response to the 2008 disaster, the Nationals front office promised change. Nearly the entire coaching staff got the axe, and the team declared its intention to plug the many gaping holes in the major league roster, including a big bat to prop up a feeble offense, and a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. In November, Jim Bowden made a deal, acquiring Scott Olsen (LHP) and Josh Willingham (OF) from the Marlins for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and a couple of minor leaguers.  In December, the Nats found themselves as the unlikely (underdog) frontrunner for the services of Mark Teixeira. But just two days before Christmas, the Yankees swooped in and scooped up Teixeira, kicking the Nationals into the New Year licking their wounds with essentially nothing to show for their efforts but an increasingly disgruntled fan base. Oh, and don't forget Daniel Cabrera.

Despite the good intentions of the front office, and boatloads of potential upgrades sitting available on the free agent market, it started to look painfully obvious that nobody wanted to come and play in Loserville (a.k.a. Washington, D.C.), regardless of the amount of money placed on the table by ownership. Moreover, once the Teixeira deal fizzled, it wasn't clear if the Lerner Family (the owners) would commit any additional money to improve their product. Rumors were floated, teeth were gnashed, and speculation ran wild; but nothing seemed to be getting done against the backdrop of current economic realities. But on February 11th, just days before Nationals pitchers and catchers were set to report to camp in Viera, FLA, the Nationals finally landed that elusive big bat, signing free agent Adam Dunn to a 2-year, $20 million deal.

One big bat, however, does not a contender make, and the 2009 Nationals enter Spring Training with as many questions as they have for their entire existence in Washington. Let's turn to a few key battles to be determined over the next six weeks in Viera:

Outfield: Prior to Adam Dunn's arrival, the Nationals had a bit of a logjam in the outfield. With Dunn's arrival, the situation has become increasingly cluttered. How the outfield situation shakes out depends in part on whether first baseman Nick Johnson is healthy, and/or gets traded away. If Johnson is healthy, and sticks around, then the defensively-challenged Dunn will be installed in left field, leaving starting jobs open in center and right. Somewhat surprisingly, on the eve of Nationals pitchers and catchers reporting to camp, Nationals manager Manny Acta told MLB.com that Lastings Milledge would be his starting center fielder, leaving Josh Willingham, Elijah Dukes, and Austin Kearns to battle it out for the remaining starting job in right. It's probably not worth mentioning that Wily Mo Pena is still in the mix, apparently healthy after struggling in 2008 until undergoing season ending shoulder surgery in July. Given all the warm bodies, it's also probably not worth mentioning the handful of prospects (most notably Justin Maxwell) who don't stand a chance to sniff the big leagues until September call-ups. And then there's Willie Harris, arguably the team's best player in 2008, who'll be resuming super-sub duties in 2009.

First base: Any and all questions at first base revolve around injury-magnet Nick Johnson, who missed the entire 2007 season, and played in just 38 games in 2008. Can he stay healthy? A healthy Johnson will either start or be traded; if he isn't healthy, then the Nationals likely move either Dunn or Willingham to first base. Meanwhile, 2007 Comeback Player of the Year Dmitri Young, who suffered through a nightmare 2008 season battling diabetes and associated weight issues, looks like a long shot to find a place at this pont.

Second base: Yawn. There's not much to say about the competition at second between Anderson Hernandez, Alberto Gonzalez, Ronnie Belliard, and super-utility-man Willie Harris. The only way things get interesting is if talks get rekindled with FA Orlando Hudson. Hudson was on the Nats radar throughout the winter; the team announced shortly after Adam Dunn's introductory press conference that they would not be pursing him any longer. Despite the Nationals' public proclamation, it's possible that the Nationals are simply waiting out the market a little bit longer, and could still snatch up Hudson over the next couple of weeks at short money.

Starting rotation: The Nationals might not boast of a single starter who'd be a #3  on any other major league squad. Once again, the team appears to be perfectly comfortable entering camp without an Ace; it's possible they figure he'll be drafted in June anyway.  Regardless, the Nationals enter camp with an interesting mix of arms jockeying for position in the Starting Rotation, namely: John Lannan, Scott Olsen, Collin Balester, Daniel Cabrera, Odalis Perez, Shawn Hill, Shairon Martis, and Jordan Zimmermann.

At this point, only Lannan and Olsen can be considered locks for starting jobs. It's probably safe to say Cabrera and Perez have the best shots at locking up two of the other open slots. Balester, Zimmerman, and Martis will battle it out for the final rotation spot. Of course, the always-injured Shawn Hill is attempting to prove that he's finally healthy and ready to live up to his potential; but given his track record, we won't even include him in the mix.

Bullpen: Jim Bowden would love to add another proven reliever before Spring Training wraps up (via either free agency or trade) to the current mix of arms that includes Terrell Young, Jason Bergmann, Garrett Mock, Steven Shell, Luis Atilano, Marco Estrada, Jesus Colome, Mike Hinckley, and Saul  Rivera. Meanwhile, an interesting storyline to keep tabs on in Spring Training is the development of Joel Hanrahan, entering his first full season as a major league closer.

Manny Acta: Manager Manny Acta enters his third season at the helm, but this year he's operating without a net. Acta kept up a consistent façade of patience and positive vibes over the course of the 162-game ordeal that was the 2008 season. However, ownership issued a huge no-vote of confidence by not picking up the remaining 2010 option on his contract. He has a new coaching staff reporting for duty at camp; does it all come together, and does Manny survive past the All Star Break if the team tanks again and Jim Bowden goes hunting for a scapegoat?

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