With pitchers and catchers reporting to Viera, Fla., for spring training Sunday, the Washington Nationals have unusually high expectations. After an 80-81 season, the team seems poised to produce its first winning year since coming to the District in 2005. The team has developed a promising young rotation led by Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann and hopes outfielder Jayson Werth can bounce back and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman can stay healthy.
State of the team
Rotation
They won’t have Stephen Strasburg for the entire season and it appears the 2012 Nats will just have to deal with that. He will pitch about 160 innings in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. But given his performance last September — the 10-strikeout effort in the season finale at Florida left a lasting impression — the Nats can dream big even in a limited season. General manager Mike Rizzo attempted to fill the obvious innings deficit with a trade for Gio Gonzalez, a left-handed pitcher formerly with Oakland, and free agent signing Edwin Jackson. Both are proven 200-innings plus pitchers. Jordan Zimmermann, on his own innings limit last year, will be set loose for the first time. He had a 3.18 ERA in 26 starts in 2011 and provides a nice complement to Strasburg. Chien-Ming Wang, John Lannan and Ross Detwiler provide needed depth, though the latter two are obvious trade chips.
Lineup
Washington scored the 24th most runs in the majors last year and the lineup will have to rely on internal improvement to make a leap. Adam LaRoche is the biggest addition after shoulder surgery ended his season in May. The Nats believe he’s healthy and capable of returning to a 20-plus home run level, with excellent defense being an added plus. They also hope for a full season from Ryan Zimmerman, who missed nine weeks in 2011 with an abdominal tear, and a rebound year from Jayson Werth will solidify the middle of the order. If Michael Morse provides anywhere near his 2011 production they might have something. But there is no true leadoff batter. Ian Desmond doesn’t get on base enough to profile there, but the job might be his. Danny Espinosa is better suited lower in the order. None of the center fielders on the roster — Rick Ankiel, Mike Cameron, Roger Bernadina — can handle it, either.
Bench
Some options here with plenty of new names. Veteran outfielder Mike Cameron signed a minor league contract, but given the lack of options in a reserve role and that Bryce Harper is a 50/50 bet to make the team anyway, he seems a likely fit. Roger Bernadina or Rick Ankiel could earn a starting job. But one of the two will find himself on the bench. Mark DeRosa is the veteran bat Davey Johnson wants. He can play multiple infield positions or a corner outfield spot. But is he healthy after a wrist injury cost him most of the last two years? Both prospect Steve Lombardozzi and Andres Blanco are in the mix for a reserve middle infield position — though Lombardozzi might be better served starting the year in Triple-A. Carlos Rivero isn’t a defensive specialist, but the corner infielder — picked up on waivers from Philadelphia — could hit his way onto the team.
Position battles
Center fielder
Barring a spring training trade, this vexing spot is up for grabs again entering 2012. If phenom Bryce Harper makes the team, it’s almost certain that Jayson Werth will move to center. At 32, can his body hold up there? If Werth stays at a corner position then look for a platoon in center. Rick Ankiel was brought back as a non-roster invitee and seems a good bet to platoon here. Mike Cameron is in the same boat at age 39 with holdover Roger Bernadina in the mix, too.
No. 5 starter
Chien-Ming Wang spent two years rehabbing on the team’s dime, showed some promise when he finally returned last July and is the favorite to earn the final spot. But there are no guarantees he can stay healthy for an entire season. John Lannan has three seasons with a sub-3.91 ERA in four years and former first-round pick Ross Detwiler had a 3.21 ERA in 10 starts. The team could also use their pitching depth to trade for a roster piece somewhere else.
Shortstop
Yes, this is Ian Desmond’s spot to start the year and probably for most of it. But no one will face more scrutiny. His defense was better at shortstop in 2011, but Desmond must take another step forward in the field. Also, there’s a decent chance Desmond will bat leadoff, but his .298 on-base percentage last year doesn’t bode well. Still just 26, he needs a breakthrough season. If not, there are options. Danny Espinosa can slide over from second base, which is an easier position to fill.
Five to Watch
Bryce Harper
Will he make the team at age 19? Davey Johnson has lobbied for Harper, the No. 1 draft pick in 2010. He more than held his own in low Single-A and had his moments in Double-A last season. But there are still adjustments needed to refine his game. He won’t make the roster on talent alone.
Ryan Zimmerman
If he’s healthy, there’s no question what you’re going to get. But Zimmerman has missed significant time two of the last four seasons with unrelated injuries. Contract extension talks are the real reason to watch, though. With two years left on his deal, both sides would like to get an extension done.
Brad Lidge
He’s a nice veteran addition to a bullpen coming off a strong year. Lidge can help mentor younger pitchers Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard and Henry Rodriguez, but also fill multiple roles himself from the seventh inning on. Also, he’s the perfect choice to close games when Storen needs rest.
Adam LaRoche
A terrible start to 2011 had a pretty good reason: LaRoche needed surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Entering last season, he had topped 20 homers every year since 2005. Will that power return right away? He’s also a likely trade candidate in July if Bryce Harper starts in the minors and is ready by midseason.
Wilson Ramos
At 23, the catcher showed signs of being an All-Star caliber player. He controls the running game behind the plate, pitchers enjoy working with him and he hit a club-record for a catcher with 15 home runs. But is he mentally OK after November’s terrifying kidnapping incident in his native Venezuela?
