Looking ahead to 2009: Washington Nationals

October 2, 10:07 PMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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The Washington Nationals had high hopes for the 2008 season, moving into a new ballpark and adding some young players eager to prove themselves.  They would not meet expectations however, struggling through a dismal season, losing over 100 games and ending up with the worst record in the major leagues.

Veteran catchers Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada, brought in to lock down the position, failed miserably offensively and defensively.  The only positive is that this gave playing time to Jesus Flores, who took over the job and never looked back.  He will be counted on to continue his offensive development in 2009.

Shortstop Cristian Guzman hit well and was rewarded with a contract extension.  He will be joined on the infield by second baseman Emilio Bonifacio, acquired in a July deal for reliever Jon Rauch, and Ryan Zimmerman who slumped badly throughout 2008.  First baseman Nick Johnson had wrist surgery in June, and it may finally be time for the Nationals to cut ties with the oft-injured but talented hitter.

Young outfielders Elijah Dukes and Lastings Milledge showed flashes of promise, and will be counted on to improve a young outfield.  Austin Kearns, a favorite of General Manager Jim Bowden, will need to show that he has put his awful 2008 season behind him in order to keep his starting job.

The starting pitching will be led by John Lannan and Tim Redding, the only solid returning starters.  Youngsters Collin Balester and Garrett Mock will be in the mix, as will oft-injured Shawn Hill and ineffective Jason Bergmann.  Nationals management has stated that they would like to bring back veteran Odalis Perez to help stabilize the starting pitching.

GM Jim Bowden has said that closer Chad Cordero will not be tendered a contract for 2009, leaving the Nationals with a huge bullpen void.  Cordero was injured for most of 2008, but Saul Rivera, Joel Hanrahan, and Jesus Colome don’t inspire much confidence pitching at the end of games.  Rookie Steven Shell may be a candidate, or even former starting pitching prospect Mike Hinckley. 

After years of bad management in Montreal, the Nationals are finally beginning to look like they may have the foundation of a major league team.  Dukes, Balester, Milledge, Shell, and Mock all look to be big future contributors.  Prospects Chris Marrero, Justin Maxwell, and Ross Detwiler are not far off either.  The Nationals will most likely stick to the rebuilding plan for 2009 and wait until the young players develop a bit more before spending seriously in free agency.