2007: (73-89), 4th place

Manager: Manny Acta (2nd season)

Key Acquisitions -
OF Elijah Dukes
OF Lastings Milledge
C Paul Lo Duca
C Johnny Estrada
OF Rob Mackowiak
OF Willie Harris

Key Losses -
C Brian Schneider (to NYM)
OF Ryan Church (to NYM)
OF Nook Logan (released)
C/OF Robert Fick (released)

Projected Starting Lineup -
C - Paul Lo Duca
1B - Nick Johnson, Dmitri Young
2B - Ronnie Belliard
SS - Christian Guzman, Felipe Lopez
3B - Ryan Zimmerman
LF - Wily Mo Pena, Elijah Dukes
CF - Lastings Milledge
RF - Austin Kearns

Projected Rotation -
1 - John Patterson
2 - Shawn Hill
3 - Jason Bergmann
4 - John Lannan
5 - Matt Chico

CL - Chad Cordero
SU - Jon Rauch

Outlook:
The Nationals are still a year or two away from competing in the NL East, but like the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East, that time appears to be coming soon with every top prospect that has a great outing. Their starting pitching will get another year to mature (as will possible future All-Star hitters Milledge and Zimmerman), but this season the staff will actually have a lineup that may score a couple runs for them.

The offense is improved and there are open battles in spring training for the catcher position (Lo Duca & Estrada), first base (Johnson & Da Meat Hook), shortstop (Guzman & Lopez - but Lopez can also play second base if needed), and in the outfield where the talented but troubled Dukes appears to currently be on the outside looking in.

The most interesting of those position battles is at first base where Johnson is returning from a broken leg that cost him all of last season. In his absence, Dmitri “Da Meat Hook” Young had an All-Star season hitting .320 with 14 home runs. How will both be able to get playing time? A trade could be a logical possibility.

With more offense, how well the Nationals do this season will likely rely on the pitching arms of the starting rotation that has been injured often in the past — i.e.: John Patteson. Patterson will try to return to pre-nerve injury, 2005 form when he posted a 3.13 ERA and appeared destined to be a legit ace.

Fantasy Impact:
If healthy, starters Patterson and Hill are fantasy sleepers. Chad Cordero is an established closer, but if he has struggles like he did at times last year (9 blown saves), Jon Rauch could be waiting in the wings with his imposing 6-foot-11, 283 pound frame and demeanor on the mound.

Playing full time, Milledge and Wily Mo Pena could both have strong seasons, but wait until they get on a hot streak because they likely will still be free agents. Kearns is coming off a career high hit total and is coming into the fantasy ripe age of 28.

Lo Duca and Estrada, despite being household names, aren’t great fantasy options. Zimmerman had a bit of a sophomore slump, but expect him to bounce back this season now that he has some protection in the lineup.

Whomever wins out at first base is worthy of a mid-to-late round selection, but first base is generally a pretty deep fantasy position so don’t overdraft. Lopez stole 44 bases two years ago, hit 23 home runs three seasons ago, but doesn’t seem to be able to put everything together as he hit a porous .245 last year. Maybe consider him for a late round flier…if he is starting full time.

2008 projection: (80-82), 4th place
Team MVP: Nick Johnson

Shotgun Spratling

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