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Washington Nationals

2012 – Finished 1st in the NL East

Record: 98-64

The Nationals finally made it to the post-season after several sub-par years following their move from Montreal. Backed by a stellar pitching staff and the emergence of Bryce Harper, the Nats were the dominant team in their division and will be looking for a repeat performance this time round.

Last year, pitcher Stephen Strasburg was shut down so as to avoid injury and exhaustion effecting the franchise’s star draw in subsequent years. The move wasn’t particularly popular amongst players and fans alike, but if they win a World Series any time soon, I’m sure all will be forgiven.

This off-season, the key arrival is Denard Span, from Minnesota, who provides defence and speed at the top of the line-up. Rafael Soriano arrives too, from the Yankees, and his ability and experience could prove crucial in the bullpen.

INCOMINGS

2B Jeff Kobernus – Rule 5 Returnee (BOS)
OF Denard Span – Trade (MIN)
RHP A.J. Cole – Trade (OAK)
RHP Dan Haren – Free Agent (LAA)
RHP Brad Meyers – Rule 5 Return (NYY)
RHP Rafael Soriano – Free Agent (NYY)
RHP Blake Treinen – Trade (OAK)
LHP Ian Krol – Trade (OAK)

OUTGOINGS

1B/OF Michael Morse – Trade (SEA)
2B Jeff Kobernus – Rule 5 (BOS)
IF/OF Mark DeRosa – Free Agent (TOR)
RHP Edwin Jackson – Free Agent (CHC)
RHP Alex Meyer – Trade (MIN)
LHP Sean Burnett – Free Agent (LAA)
LHP Mike Gonzalez – Free Agent (MIL)
LHP Tom Gorzelanny – Free Agent (MIL)
LHP John Lannan – Free Agent (PHI)
LHP Daniel Rosenbaum – Rule 5 (COL)

Outfielders

Their projected line-up sees outfielders Denard Span, Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper bat at the 1-2-3 positions. Span arrives from the Twins, having been a solid lead-off hitter for several years. The 29-year-old lefty had been a Nats target for a while and they finally got their man. He hit .283 with 17 stolen bases in 128 games in 2012 and provides a highlight reel defence in centre field.

Werth has been something of a disappointment since his big money arrival, having hit just 25 homers in a year and a half. He missed 81 games last year through injury. Harper, however, is one of a slew of young stars in Washington. The rookie phenom hit 22 homers in 139 games in his rookie season, batting .270. At just 20-years-old the smart money is on those figures rising sharply over the next few years.

Bench options include Roger Bernadina, while Tyler Moore and Steve Lombardozzi can both play the infield too. Brian Goodwin is the no.2 prospect in the system, but is unlikely to see much, if any, game time this year.

Infielders

Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche will provide the power and play the corner infield spots. The duo combined for 58 homers and 195 RBIs last year. Zimmerman is just 10 games shy of becoming the first player to make 1000 appearances for the Nationals.

Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa will play the middle infield and are the main base stealing threats, along with Span. Desmond hit .292 with 25 homers and 21 stolen bases last year. 25-year-old Espinosa struck out 189 times last year and will need to improve upon that figure.

Veteran Chad Tracy will provide back-up, with Chris Marrero and Anthony Rendon being top prospects that may be called upon.

Catchers

The Nats have a pair of catchers that could easily start at many MLB clubs. Kurt Suzuki, formerly with the A’s, is a career .255 hitter and a solid defensive option. Wilson Ramos, 25, was arrived from Minnesota but has not yet been able to produce his best talent, thanks to injuries. Beyond that Jhonathan Solano and Sandy Leon are decent options.

Starters

The four returning starters all recorded a sub 3.50 ERA last year. With Gio Gonzalez being the eldest of those four, at just 27, the future seems bright.

Stephen Strasburg, Ross Detwiler, Jordan Zimmerman and Gonzalez combined for a 3.08 ERA in 718.2 innings in 2012, proving to be a formidable quartet. If they were to repeat those numbers, there is little doubt that the Nats would make it back-to-back play-off appearances. Strasburg is the star, but it was Gonzalez who led the team in ERA, wins and innings pitched.

Veteran Dan Haren will be the fifth member of the rotation. The 32-year-old has a career 3.66 ERA in close to 300 starts for Arizona, Anaheim, St. Louis and Oakland. Yunesky Maya and Ryan Perry are likely to be the first players called up should the rotation, which remained injury free last season, take some knocks.

Relievers

Rafael Soriano will take up the closer role after a two year spell in the Bronx. He stepped up last season after the injury to Mariano Rivera and notched 42 saves, having been a set-up man the year before. He takes over from Tyler Clippard, although that is certainly not a negative reflection of the 28-year-old’s 2012 campaign. He recorded 32 saves with a 3.72 ERA. Drew Storen has been touted as the future closer for the Nats, despite almost trading him away to Minnesota in 2011. The 25-year-old had a 0.99 WHIP last year and will combine with Clippard and Soriano for a dominant late inning partnership.

Elsewhere in the ‘pen will be Ryan Matheus, Craig Stammen, former Pirates starter Zach Duke and youngster Henry Rodriguez. He struggled in limited time last year (5.83 ERA in 29.1 IP) but he did grab nine saves. There is little to no big league experience elsewhere in the system, so the Nats will be hoping for an injury free year from their bullpen.