Filled with questions, Nats begin 2009 hoping to find the right answers
When a baseball team loses 102 games in a season there is guaranteed to be plenty of questions entering spring training the following year. That’s exactly what the Nationals face as pitchers and catchers begin their official workouts Monday at the team’s spring headquarters in Viera, Fla. The Examiner breaks down the competition at each position group.
CATCHERS
Last year, the plan was to leave Jesus Flores in the minors while veterans Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada covered for a year. That lasted all of a month. By May, Flores was on the big-league roster for good — at least until a home plate collision ended his season in early September. Flores is healthy now and the obvious starter in 2009. But with several quality catching prospects behind him in the minor-league system, Flores need to prove the job is his long term. Wil Nieves leads a pack of contenders for the back-up spot.
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INFIELDERS
Well, at least the left side is taken care of. Ryan Zimmerman (.283, 14 HR) returns healthy at third base after shoulder issues cost him two months last season. Shortstop Cristian Guzman (.316, 35 2B, 9 HR) is coming off his best offensive season. But the right side is anybody’s guess. Anderson Hernandez leads the way at second base. But Ronnie Belliard, Alberto Gonzalez and even Willie Harris (career-best 13 HR), with 189 games played at second, are in the mix.
That leaves first base. In the Nats’ dreams, Nick Johnson is healthy and resembles the player they had in 2006. But health is always an issue with Johnson, who missed most of 2008 with a wrist injury. Other options include Dmitri Young — if he is in shape and has his diabetes under control — or one of the overflow outfielders — new signees Adam Dunn or Josh Willingham.
OUTFIELDERS
After finally signing this week, Dunn (40 HR, 100 RBI, 122 BB) appears to be a lock for left field if he doesn’t have to move to first. Will Lastings Milledge improve this year in center field? Manager Manny Acta has given him a vote of confidence going into camp. That puts Elijah Dukes immediate future in a corner — outfield spot that is. Dukes (13 HR, 44 RBI, 50 walks) showed promise last year in a season shortened due injury (81 games) and the front office would prefer he be an every-day player. The leaves veterans Austin Kearns and Willingham likely to battle over the final starting spot — though health and injuries will play a major part for all — as everyone, except Dunn, missed at least 20 games last season. Willingham has good power, but also battles back issues. Kearns (.217, 32 RBI) had a miserable, injury-plagued 2008. Can he rebound? Slugger Wily Mo Pena is healthy after shoulder surgery, but is a long shot to make the club. He should start the season at AAA Syracuse.
STARTING ROTATION
A question mark every year. Left-handers John Lannan (3.91 ERA) and Scott Olsen (4.20 ERA), acquired via trade from Florida, will make the rotation. Odalis Perez (4.34 ERA), another lefty, was better than expected last year, but is signed to a non-guaranteed minor-league deal. Oft-injured Shawn Hill has flashed talent. But will he ever recover from the nerve issues that have plagued his arm? Collin Balester (5.51 ERA) was a mid-season call-up in 2008 and at least held his own. Neither Daniel Cabrera nor Jason Bergmann have ever found consistency at the big-league level. Both need strong springs to make the club. Look out for righty Jordan Zimmermann, the club’s top prospect, according to Baseball America, and one of the AA Eastern League’s best pitchers last season.
BULLPEN
No major additions to this group. Joel Hanrahan (3.95 ERA, 9 saves) appears to be the closer from the start after inheriting the job last year when Chad Cordero got hurt and Jon Rauch was traded. A long shot to make the rotation, Garrett Mock is again a spot-starter and long reliever. Steven Shell (2.16 ERA) had a nice season after a summer call-up and Saul Rivera (3.96 ERA) is a veteran now after appearing in 215 games the last three years. Lefty Mike Hinckley has a chance to be the specialist after his strong performance in September with no earned runs allowed in 14 games. Terrell Young, the top selection in the Rule 5 Draft, is a hard-throwing righty.
