Out of 30 big league clubs, the Washington Nationals ranked 28th overall in player salaries with a figure of $37.3 million. Only the two Florida teams, the Marlins and Rays, finished behind them in that department. On the other side of the ledger, the Nats finished tied with Houston for 21st overall in winning percentage. The Astros, however, spent an additional $50 million for their 73 wins.
If not for the Mets’ historic collapse in September, the NL East would have finished in order of their payrolls: New York $115.2M, Philadelphia $89.4M, Atlanta $87.2M, Washington, and Florida $30.5M.
We all accept that there’s a correlation between size of payroll and number of victories. It’s not so simple as spend the most and win the most; there are a lot of other factors that enter the equation, and luck is high on the list. But take this to heart: every major league scout I spoke to this year, regardless of team or league, told me they see a winner in Washington much sooner than later.
Nats’ GM Jim Bowden still takes his share of knocks from folks in the game who have dealt with him for years, but his performance this season rates a high mark. Those who questioned his wisdom in signing Dmitri Young now admit it was a solid move; one scout said it never dawned on him that Young’s previous issues could have been related to a medical condition like diabetes. Given Dmitri’s performance at the plate and much-needed clubhouse leadership — without so much as a hint of the mood swings that plagued him in Detroit — bringing him back for 2008 makes a lot of sense, whether Nick Johnson can play or not.
Bowden and his staff put together a pitching staff out of thin air. The rotation that started the year and the one that finished up on Sunday bore little resemblance to each other beyond Matt Chico and Jason Bergmann. The wins and losses were so spread around that no one on the staff finished with double figures in either category. Maybe that’s happened before in the big leagues, but I sure can’t find it.
The 2007 Nationals allowed 110 runs more than they scored. To improve in 2008 at the new ballpark, they have to maintain some consistency in the starting rotation, but more importantly, add another bat to the everyday lineup. This is not a bountiful off-season for free agents. The premier names — Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones and Aaron Rowand — are far more likely to be targeted by the known contenders, but would the Nats consider bringing back Brad Wilkerson? Wilky hit 20 home runs as a part-timer with Texas this year, and was popular with the fans in 2005, prior to being traded for Alfonso Soriano. The Nats very nearly traded for Cincinnati’s Adam Dunn in July, and may re-visit that situation again this fall. Dunn and Austin Kearns are close friends, and Dunn’s been heard to speak favorably about playing in Washington. The Pirates have a new GM and CEO and may consider dealing Jason Bay after a sub-par 2007.
It’s safe to predict that the Nationals will not stand pat, despite overachieving in 2007. It’s also a cinch Bowden will figure out a way to stay in the headlines this fall and winter.
Hear Phil Wood Saturdays at 10 a.m. on SportsTalk 980 AM and weekly on Comcast SportsNet’s WPL through the World Series.
