Nationals Preview » Season at a crossroad
By: Brian McNally
Examiner Staff Writer
April 3, 2009
The 2009 season marks a pivotal turning point for the Nationals. Are they a team that will develop several young stars at once, select a pitching prodigy No. 1 overall in June’s draft and put together a decent season? Or will this group implode under the weight of a young pitching staff, fire its manager and botch its once-in-a-generation draft pick? Take one direction and the Nats become a franchise on the rise with the financial power to both develop and keep star players. Go in the other and they will play in a half-empty stadium, joining the bottom feeders of the sport. No pressure, though.
Starting Pitching
Not that they had much choice, but the Nats went with youth in the starting rotation. Gone are veterans Odalis Perez and Tim Redding. Now, 24-year-old John Lannan (3.91 ERA) is the “ace” and the oldest pitcher is Daniel Cabrera, 27. Scott Olsen, 25, was acquired in a trade with Florida. The club has been impressed with 22-year-olds Jordan Zimmermann and Shairon Martis in spring training. But are they ready for a full big-league season?
Relief Pitching
Nats’ most volatile group. Joel Hanrahan converted nine of 13 save chances last year when given the closer’s job. Lefty Joe Beimel, a late free-agent signing, plugs a gaping hole at set-up man and Saul Rivera is a good option in the seventh. But the battle for four other roster spots is ongoing among Jason Bergmann, Steven Shell, Jesus Colome, Julian Tavarez and Garrett Mock. Left-handers Mike Hinckley and Wil Ledezma vie for the specialist role.
Outfield
The final present from former GM Jim Bowden was a roster crammed with corner OFs. That actually might help if Nick Johnson gets hurt and the Nats need someone at 1B. To start, free-agent slugger Adam Dunn is in LF and Lastings Milledge is in CF. A strong spring by Austin Kearns means he could jump over Elijah Dukes in RF — at least to start. Willie Harris is the quintessential utility man.
First Base
Oft-injured Nick Johnson was an unknown entering spring training. It quickly became apparent he is at least ready to start the season. That gives Nats a player who in 2006 was a doubles machine (46) and can produce an on-base percentage near .400 — if healthy. But they have options if Johnson goes down again, starting with outfielders Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham. Dmitri Young, who missed much of last year with diabetes, will start on the DL.
Second Base
Poor Anderson Hernandez. Had all but wrapped up the starting spot here when he pulled his hamstring in a spring training game last week. He’ll begin the season on the DL instead, but should be in the mix again when he gets healthy. A big upgrade defensively over last year’s group. In the meantime, Ronnie Belliard — who hit 11 home runs with 46 RBI in just 296 at-bats last season — steps into the lineup.
Third Base
The Nats hope to pencil Ryan Zimmerman into this spot for another decade. He looks in excellent shape this spring. The shoulder injury that cost him two months in 2008 appears healed. Team hopes he can reach the 25-home run, 100-RBI level. If Zimmerman can keep his throwing errors down he will challenge fellow Virginian David Wright for a Gold Glove. Kory Casto is the best bet as a backup if he makes the final roster.
Shortstop
Will the roller-coaster ride continue for Cristian Guzman? A miserable 2005 gave way to injury-plagued seasons in 2006 and 2007. Then, in the final year of his contract, Guzman was an All-Star (.316, 183 hits) and earned a two-year extension in 2008. Not much depth at this spot, so Nats are in trouble if Guzman gets hurt. Alberto Gonzalez, acquired in a trade last summer from the New York Yankees, should be the primary backup.
Catcher
The Nationals have Jesus Flores (.256 BA, 8 HR, 59 RBI) entrenched as the starter. He battled elbow soreness in the spring, but is healthy now. He missed the final month of 2008 after a home-plate collision. Wil Nieves (.261 BA, 1 HR, 20 RBI) is trying to hold off spring pickup Josh Bard (.202 BA, 1 HR, 16 RBI) for the backup spot. Both could make it if the Nats drop an extra utility infielder.
Coaching Staff
The Nats cleaned house after 2008. Manager Manny Acta will have to field questions all seasons about being in the last year of his contract. The lone holdover is pitching coach Randy St. Claire, who always gets more from less. New hitting coach Rick Eckstein is drawing rave reviews from Nats batters. Pat Listach will coach 3B and Marquis Grissom will coach 1B and work with the OFs. Washingtonian Jim Riggleman is the bench coach.
Prediction
This is still not a contending team and may not be for a while yet. But there is hope. The offense — led by Dunn — should move from 28th in MLB to top 15. But that’s provided Johnson stays healthy and Zimmerman rebounds. Dukes and Milledge need to take the next step, too. In the end, a young pitching staff sinks the Nats, who start strong and fade to 76-86 record.
