Nats, please keep this six pack

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - When the Nationals came out of spring training I looked at their roster and figured if they stayed healthy they’d win 75-76 games.

Well, that didn’t happen.

Saturday’s injury to outfielder Elijah Dukes was the final shove down the stairs of the National League. The injuries to key personnel have prevented any semblance of lineup continuity, and you can’t blame Manny Acta for losing duel after duel shooting blanks.

So, with the 2008 campaign a lost cause — in terms of wins and losses — and the non-waiver trading deadline a shade more than 3 weeks away, it’s perfectly apparent that Washington will be a seller in the market.

The Nat’s the untouchable list (a.k.a the ‘six pack’) is a short one — and keep in mind we’re only dealing with players who are currently with the big league club or on the disabled list, not any minor league prospects. My list follows, in no particular order.

1. Ryan Zimmerman » No need to explain this one.

2. Elijah Dukes » After a slow start, Dukes, pre-injury, was showing why the Nats were willing to take a flyer on him. Five skills — some still a little raw to be sure — but remarkably fast hands and extremely fun to watch run the bases.

3. John Lannan » A future All-Star. Can throw all of his pitches for strikes. Keeps cool under pressure.

4. Collin Balester » Top-of-the-rotation stuff. I expect some combination of he and Lannan will be 1-2 in the 2009 five-man.

5. Lastings Milledge » It appeared the light bulb had come on a couple of weeks before his injury. Still a little raw, but the potential is clear.

6. Jesus Flores » A young (23) catch-and-throw guy with power that makes contact with 2 strikes. How good can this guy be?

That’s it. That leaves at least 19 guys who would be available in some kind of deal. I know there are some readers who may be surprised I didn’t list a closer, either Jon Rauch or Chad Cordero. The Chief’s injury and upcoming rehab from surgery leave a lot of unanswered questions and Rauch may never be more valuable as trade fodder than he is now.

I also purposely left out the Nats’ All-Star representative, shortstop Cristian Guzman. Rumors persist that he’ll shortly sign a contract extension, but until he does, I consider him a free agent. If he doesn’t get a deal done by month’s end, I’d certainly listen to any and all offers for a two-month rental and hope he’d return to the Nats in the offseason. He doesn’t walk as much as we’d prefer, but there are few reasonable alternatives.

Let the deals begin — we need something new to talk about.

Hear Phil Wood Saturdays at 10 a.m. on SportsTalk 980 AM and is a contributor to Nats Xtra on MASN. Contact him at philwood@dcexaminer.com.

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