Not looking so great for '08

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Part of the Nationals’ “Plan” was to pare the payroll in 2007, and ratchet the dollars upward in the seasons to come. Their $63 million payroll of 2006 was cut to $37 million this season, and the results have been pretty much the same, if not a couple of wins better after 130 games.

It stands to reason that the payroll will increase next year if only by the raises due the players who will return. The Nats also intimated they would be players in the free agent market this fall and winter. That still may be the case, but don’t look for anything in the way of impact players heading this way.

The list of prospective free agents in baseball this next offseason is somewhat less than inspiring, and it would be no surprise if Washington ends up on the sidelines. Looking at it by position, it’s almost depressing. There’s not a single first baseman that comes even remotely close to Dmitri Young in terms of offense. The available second basemen and shortstops are all either too old or backup quality. You’re not looking to replace Ryan Zimmerman at third, and I suspect that if Alex Rodriguez is thinking of opting out of his deal, he’s brushing up on his ABC’s: Anaheim, Boston and Chicago. The Nats’ catching situation is pretty well settled with Brian Schneider and Jesus Flores, so Pudge Rodriguez and Jorge Posada are off the board.

The most intriguing outfielders coming onto the market are Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand, though Rowand is rumored to be closing in on a new deal with the Phillies. Hunter is 32 — perhaps a bit older than Washington prefers — but is still in his prime, and is a legitimate five-tool guy. Again, I doubt he’d give the Nats much consideration, but players of his caliber sell tickets, which may be less of a consideration for a team moving into a new ballpark. Adam Dunn, who was nearly acquired by GM Jim Bowden at the trading deadline, may also be available (he’s got a club option for 2008 — but at $13 million), and I’m admittedly a fan of ex-Nat Brad Wilkerson, who’s got some versatility and doesn’t seem to be in Texas’ plans for the future. His power numbers are up this year, but he’s in a hitter’s ballpark.

I really don’t see any compelling names among the free agent starting pitchers. Freddy Garcia? Kyle Lohse? Jason Jennings? Carlos Silva? If you’re looking for upgrades over what’s already here, I doubt you’ll find them. (Curt Schilling is in his 40’s and will want eight figures — I don’t think so.) Relievers? Francisco Cordero is currently a top-tier closer. I suspect Todd Jones stays with Detroit, ditto Joe Nathan with Minnesota. If he doesn’t want an arm and a leg, I might take a chance on a project like Kerry Wood.

The 2008 Nats will look an awful lot like the 2007 edition, but it won’t be for lack of desire. They want to spend money to upgrade the roster, but they’re not going to throw money down the drain for some second division-quality players.

That’s not part of the “Plan”.

Hear Phil Wood Saturdays at 10 a.m. on SportsTalk 980 AM and weekly on Comcast SportsNet’s WPL through the World Series.

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