Washington Nationals

Losses: P Saul Rivera, P Livan Hernandez, OF Austin Kearns, C Josh Bard

Gains: C Ivan Rodriguez, P Chien-Ming Wang, 2B Adam Kennedy, OF Willy Taveres, P Miguel Batista, P Tyler Walker, P Matt Capps, IF Eric Bruntlett, P Eddie Guardado, P Jason Marquis, P Brian Bruney

Analysis: Well the Nationals sure did some shopping this winter. They brought in a whole lot of options and it should have a very positive impact on the season. The losses are minimal. They cut Saul Rivera after acquiring Brian Bruney (The Nats had a revolving door in their bullpen last season). They didn't need Josh Bard after acquiring Pudge. Livan Hernandez is likely done throwing major league pitches and Austin Kearns was dead weight on a roster full of outfield options. The Nats brought in some key starters. Pudge will be the #1 catcher, sharing some time with Jesus Flores. Matt Capps will step into the closer role after Washington couldn't find a steady option there last season. Adam Kennedy will come in and provide a scrappy, veteran presence at 2nd base. Jason Marquis comes in as a top 3 pitcher, along with Chien-Ming Wang, who, if healthy, can anchor this pitching staff. They add some depth to the minor league roster, possibly the majors with Bruntlett and willy Taveres, and they give themself some potentially effective options in the bullpen with Batista and Guardado. It's hard to argue with what the Nationals did this off-season. They didn't bring in any huge names (unless Wang pitches like the Wang of old), but they lost very little and definitely supplemented a roster that already includes some Major League Stars.

More moves: I think the Nats made their last big splash this week with the acquisition of Chien-Ming Wang. Anything else would just be nuts and bolts type moves.

2010 Thoughts: Major improvement is ahead for Washington. Their current line-up looks something like: 1.CF Nyjer Morgan 2.SS Christian Guzman 3.3B Ryan Zimmerman 4.1B Adam Dunn 5.RF Elijah Dukes 6.C Ivan Rodriguez 7.LF Josh Willingham 8.2B Adam Kennedy 9.Pitcher's spot. That is not a bad looking lineup. It's certainly above a few of the lineups we've already previewed. Nyjer Morgan's impact was felt as soon as he was acquired from Pittsburgh last season. He is a spark plug in the lineup and a spectacular talent in centerfield. Christian Guzman has stayed consistent with the bat, and the 3/4 of Zimmerman/Dunn is as strong as 85% of the teams out there, at least. I'm going to give this line-up a double X-factor. Josh Willingham and Elijah Dukes. Both these players have the potential to be a big run producer for the Natinoals. One of them is going to have to step up and be the 5 hitter that they need. If both step up, this could be a turning point in Nationals history as they wait for their kids to grow up. The pitching staff is more about July through October than it is about April through June. Right now it looks like this: Jason Marquis, John Lannan, Scott Olsen, Craig Stammen, J.D. Martin. BUT Chien-Ming Wang is supposed to be ready to pitch again some time in May and should hopefully be really pitching again by the all-star break. We'll have to see what he brings to the table. Of course (how could I not have mentioned yet) Steven Strasburg is what everyone is waiting for. If he throws well in the minors, he is a seasoned college player, and could be ready to contribute in the second half of the season. The Nationals also have Jordan Zimmerman and Jason Bergman competing for pitching spots. By the end of the season a staff of Chien-Ming Wang, Jason Marquis, John Lannan, Scott Olsen, Steven Strasburg is something to watch. The bullpen has definitely made some strides as well this off-season. Matt Capps comes in to close. Ron Villone, Brian Bruney and Tyler Walker have all been effective relievers, Walker and Bruney stirring some fresh blood in that pen. Tyler Clippard and Ross Detweiler provide another lefty-right combo. Look out for Every Day Eddie Guardado and Miguel Batista in spring training. They are both aging, but have been relied on for big outs in the past, and in a specialist role could be the difference in the pen. Young Garret Mock will be seasoning in the minors as well. Overall the pen should be much improved.

Prediction: This is tough, because there are so many positive vibes floating around this preview. The Nationals will certainly be competitive in and out of the NL East. The East should be by far the best division in the NL this season and a lot of that will have to do with having a pretty good team in the basement of the division. Don't get me wrong, the Nats have ADDED 10+ wins to their roster. HOWEVER, I do expect to see them in 5th (but with 72 or so wins).

APT