Three things I learned at Rangers camp:
Don’t underestimate the pride of a warrior
At 35, Vlad Guerrero is looking to prove detractors wrong.
Vlad Guerrero says he is healthy. He looks leaner in his upper body. He is actually running, not limping. In other words, watch out for Vlad Guerrero.
"Our doctor who did his physical said, based on what he saw as a fan last year, thought it was going to be worse. He said the physical was pretty clean," said Rangers GM Jon Daniels, adding that means clean for a 35-year-old who has undergone surgery on both knees.
Guerrero was limited to 100 games last season because of a torn pectoral muscle and a torn hamstring behind his left knee. That followed off-season cleanup surgeries on both knees.
"With the injuries that he had, your bat would slow down, too," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He’s healthy right now and I don’t see anything wrong with his bat speed. He says he feels good and that’s good enough for me."
And Guerrero definitely has something to prove, to the Angels and all the other teams that did not offer him more than a one-year, $5.5 million deal that he settled for with the Rangers.
Don’t discount the loss of late-night dining
If Matt Harrison doesn’t make the Rangers’ rotation, it won’t be because he’s out of shape. After checking in at about 265 pounds before last season, he has lost 30 pounds and says he feels "100 times better." No more shin splints, no more back pain. "I have more endurance. I can run 15-20 sprints and I’m still good to go," he said. "No more huffing and puffing."
And get this, would-be dieters: Harrison dropped the pounds without changing what he eats. The secret: He eliminated post-game dinners.
"Oh man, it was hard," he said. "I went to bed starving. It took about a month to get used to it. Then I lost a little weight and I was able to run more, and that helped me lose some more."
Don’t think the Rangers don’t know Harden’s history
Talking to numerous Rangers, they all said newcomer Rich Harden is one of the game’s best starters "if he’s healthy." Ten days after pitchers and catchers reported, Harden is healthy. The Rangers will take steps to keep him that way. Harden already has been tabbed to start the opener, and not only because he’s projected to be the team’s ace. The way the three off-days in April are set up, Harden will be able to make his first three starts on five days rest.
Unlike some teams, the Rangers will stay on a five-man rotation partly to allow Harden an extra day but also because the difference in their No. 2 and whoever ends up their No. 5 is not as great as it is for a team like the Mariners, who have Cliff Lee as their No. 2.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Three things I learned at Rangers camp:
Don’t underestimate the pride of a warrior
At 35, Vlad Guerrero is looking to prove detractors wrong.
Vlad Guerrero says he is healthy. He looks leaner in his upper body. He is actually running, not limping. In other words, watch out for Vlad Guerrero.
"Our doctor who did his physical said, based on what he saw as a fan last year, thought it was going to be worse. He said the physical was pretty clean," said Rangers GM Jon Daniels, adding that means clean for a 35-year-old who has undergone surgery on both knees.
Guerrero was limited to 100 games last season because of a torn pectoral muscle and a torn hamstring behind his left knee. That followed off-season cleanup surgeries on both knees.
"With the injuries that he had, your bat would slow down, too," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "He’s healthy right now and I don’t see anything wrong with his bat speed. He says he feels good and that’s good enough for me."
And Guerrero definitely has something to prove, to the Angels and all the other teams that did not offer him more than a one-year, $5.5 million deal that he settled for with the Rangers.
Don’t discount the loss of late-night dining
If Matt Harrison doesn’t make the Rangers’ rotation, it won’t be because he’s out of shape. After checking in at about 265 pounds before last season, he has lost 30 pounds and says he feels "100 times better." No more shin splints, no more back pain. "I have more endurance. I can run 15-20 sprints and I’m still good to go," he said. "No more huffing and puffing."
And get this, would-be dieters: Harrison dropped the pounds without changing what he eats. The secret: He eliminated post-game dinners.
"Oh man, it was hard," he said. "I went to bed starving. It took about a month to get used to it. Then I lost a little weight and I was able to run more, and that helped me lose some more."
Don’t think the Rangers don’t know Harden’s history
Talking to numerous Rangers, they all said newcomer Rich Harden is one of the game’s best starters "if he’s healthy." Ten days after pitchers and catchers reported, Harden is healthy. The Rangers will take steps to keep him that way. Harden already has been tabbed to start the opener, and not only because he’s projected to be the team’s ace. The way the three off-days in April are set up, Harden will be able to make his first three starts on five days rest.
Unlike some teams, the Rangers will stay on a five-man rotation partly to allow Harden an extra day but also because the difference in their No. 2 and whoever ends up their No. 5 is not as great as it is for a team like the Mariners, who have Cliff Lee as their No. 2.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Sporting News staff reports
The White Sox were interested in trading for Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez this winter, and they asked Gonzalez’s former teammate Jake Peavy for a recommendation, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Peavy gave it wholeheartedly. The Sox, however, backed off after determining they likely would have to give up second baseman Gordon Beckham, according to the Sun-Times report.
The Sun-Times also reports Peavy first mentioned the Gonzalez link to the newspaper in January. He repeated it to CBSSports.com on Saturday, and confirmed it to a Chicago reporter Sunday.
"(Sox general manager) Kenny (Williams) asked me at one point (this winter), ‘What kind of guy is this guy?’" Peavy told Chicagobreakingsports.com reporter Mark Gonzales. "I went into recruiting mode."
Peavy also told Mark Gonzales that Adrian Gonzalez is prepared to leave his hometown club if it means being on a contender elsewhere.
"Adrian wants to win – I can tell you that," Peavy said. "If it means leaving San Diego, he won’t think twice about doing that. I can promise you that."
Sporting News staff reports
The White Sox were interested in trading for Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez this winter, and they asked Gonzalez’s former teammate Jake Peavy for a recommendation, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Peavy gave it wholeheartedly. The Sox, however, backed off after determining they likely would have to give up second baseman Gordon Beckham, according to the Sun-Times report.
The Sun-Times also reports Peavy first mentioned the Gonzalez link to the newspaper in January. He repeated it to CBSSports.com on Saturday, and confirmed it to a Chicago reporter Sunday.
"(Sox general manager) Kenny (Williams) asked me at one point (this winter), ‘What kind of guy is this guy?’" Peavy told Chicagobreakingsports.com reporter Mark Gonzales. "I went into recruiting mode."
Peavy also told Mark Gonzales that Adrian Gonzalez is prepared to leave his hometown club if it means being on a contender elsewhere.
"Adrian wants to win – I can tell you that," Peavy said. "If it means leaving San Diego, he won’t think twice about doing that. I can promise you that."
Sporting News staff reports
Francisco Cervelli. Austin Romine. Jesus Montero. Gary Sanchez. J.R. Murphy. All are young Yankees catchers who are keeping a close watch this spring on 38-year-old starter Jorge Posada. But despite all the young talent that surrounds him, Posada says he won’t go away any time soon.
"I am going to make it tough, that’s the way I was brought up," the veteran switch hitter told the New York Post. "We got a lot of talent, but I am going to make it tough for them. I don’t want to go away.
"I am having fun and enjoy playing. To tell you the truth, they are going to really have to rip (the uniform) off me."
Sporting News staff reports
Francisco Cervelli. Austin Romine. Jesus Montero. Gary Sanchez. J.R. Murphy. All are young Yankees catchers who are keeping a close watch this spring on 38-year-old starter Jorge Posada. But despite all the young talent that surrounds him, Posada says he won’t go away any time soon.
"I am going to make it tough, that’s the way I was brought up," the veteran switch hitter told the New York Post. "We got a lot of talent, but I am going to make it tough for them. I don’t want to go away.
"I am having fun and enjoy playing. To tell you the truth, they are going to really have to rip (the uniform) off me."
Sporting News staff reports
The St. Petersburg Times reports Rays prospects Sean Rodriguez, Reid Brignac and Matt Joyce are battling for two roster spots and one position—the position Ben Zobrist does not play.
In an oddity, Zobrist’s position won’t be determined by his play this spring. It will depend on what Rodriguez and Brignac show at second base or what Joyce does in right field. Zobrist can play either position, and play both equally well. So he’ll bide his time to see which of the three youngsters might emerge as a starter.
"For the most part, Joyce, Rodriguez and Brignac are competing for meaningful at-bats," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman told the newspaper. "Then the other two are probably competing for a spot on the team, and then the one will probably be in (triple-A) Durham."
Rays manager Joe Maddon says the final decision will be hard. "Maybe the toughest we’ve ever had to make," he said, "because we feel like they are all big league players right now."
Sporting News staff reports
The St. Petersburg Times reports Rays prospects Sean Rodriguez, Reid Brignac and Matt Joyce are battling for two roster spots and one position—the position Ben Zobrist does not play.
In an oddity, Zobrist’s position won’t be determined by his play this spring. It will depend on what Rodriguez and Brignac show at second base or what Joyce does in right field. Zobrist can play either position, and play both equally well. So he’ll bide his time to see which of the three youngsters might emerge as a starter.
"For the most part, Joyce, Rodriguez and Brignac are competing for meaningful at-bats," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman told the newspaper. "Then the other two are probably competing for a spot on the team, and then the one will probably be in (triple-A) Durham."
Rays manager Joe Maddon says the final decision will be hard. "Maybe the toughest we’ve ever had to make," he said, "because we feel like they are all big league players right now."
Sporting News staff reports
Cincinnati hitters got their second close-up-and-personal look at Cuban lefthander Aroldis Chapman and came away impressed—just like after the first time the youngster threw to live hitters in his first major league training camp.
"When you see a guy like that your first couple of days, it gets a little easier from there," infielder Drew Sutton told MLB.com. "The ball just comes out of his hand different. It gets about halfway and just jumps at you. His changeup had really good spin. You couldn’t pick it up that well. Even his slider, it took a little time to pick up the spin."
Sutton was one of four hitters to face the talented 22-year-old, who threw 30 pitches in his session. Nobody made solid contact. Juan Francisco flailed at two fastballs before going down swinging at a nasty slider. Todd Frazier took a weak swing at a good changeup.
"His fastball is heavy. It’s got a lot of velocity," Frazier told MLB.com. "It makes the changeup that much better. He looked really good out there for sure. He can throw, definitely.
"I wanted to get a chance to face him. It was actually fun just to see what he’s all about. He has the stuff. He’s proven it to me right now."
The Reds have said all along they won’t rush Chapman, but the temptation might be there if he continues his early showing.
Sporting News staff reports
Cincinnati hitters got their second close-up-and-personal look at Cuban lefthander Aroldis Chapman and came away impressed—just like after the first time the youngster threw to live hitters in his first major league training camp.
"When you see a guy like that your first couple of days, it gets a little easier from there," infielder Drew Sutton told MLB.com. "The ball just comes out of his hand different. It gets about halfway and just jumps at you. His changeup had really good spin. You couldn’t pick it up that well. Even his slider, it took a little time to pick up the spin."
Sutton was one of four hitters to face the talented 22-year-old, who threw 30 pitches in his session. Nobody made solid contact. Juan Francisco flailed at two fastballs before going down swinging at a nasty slider. Todd Frazier took a weak swing at a good changeup.
"His fastball is heavy. It’s got a lot of velocity," Frazier told MLB.com. "It makes the changeup that much better. He looked really good out there for sure. He can throw, definitely.
"I wanted to get a chance to face him. It was actually fun just to see what he’s all about. He has the stuff. He’s proven it to me right now."
The Reds have said all along they won’t rush Chapman, but the temptation might be there if he continues his early showing.
Sporting News staff reports
White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy is lobbying general manager Ken Williams to acquire Peavy’s former teammate Adrian Gonzalez, CBS Sports reports.
"I want Adrian to be my teammate over here," Peavy is quoted as saying.
According to the CBS report, Williams doesn’t need much convincing.
"That’s really what we need, a big left-handed hitter," according to one unnamed club source. "They’re saying Kenny would give anything to get him, maybe even (second baseman Gordon) Beckham."
The Padres have made Gonzalez available for some time. The likelihoood of a trade seemed to increase last week when Gonzalez said he wouldn’t take a hometown discount to stay in San Diego. He has one year, at $4.5 million, plus a $5.5 million club option for 2011 remaining on his contract.
Sporting News staff reports
White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy is lobbying general manager Ken Williams to acquire Peavy’s former teammate Adrian Gonzalez, CBS Sports reports.
"I want Adrian to be my teammate over here," Peavy is quoted as saying.
According to the CBS report, Williams doesn’t need much convincing.
"That’s really what we need, a big left-handed hitter," according to one unnamed club source. "They’re saying Kenny would give anything to get him, maybe even (second baseman Gordon) Beckham."
The Padres have made Gonzalez available for some time. The likelihoood of a trade seemed to increase last week when Gonzalez said he wouldn’t take a hometown discount to stay in San Diego. He has one year, at $4.5 million, plus a $5.5 million club option for 2011 remaining on his contract.
Sporting News staff reports
The Prince Fielder contract talks will include the highest level of Brewers management. Owner Mark Attanasio tells the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he will be involved in trying to sign the slugging first baseman to a long-term contract.
Attanasio adds that there will be no deadlines to get a Fielder deal done. "We have to take it one step at a time," he tells the Journal-Sentinel.
The Journal-Sentinel also reports Attanasio met with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin on Saturday to discuss the "process" of talks.
Fielder, 25, can become a free agent after the 2011 season. He will make $11 million this season.
Sporting News staff reports
The Prince Fielder contract talks will include the highest level of Brewers management. Owner Mark Attanasio tells the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he will be involved in trying to sign the slugging first baseman to a long-term contract.
Attanasio adds that there will be no deadlines to get a Fielder deal done. "We have to take it one step at a time," he tells the Journal-Sentinel.
The Journal-Sentinel also reports Attanasio met with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin on Saturday to discuss the "process" of talks.
Fielder, 25, can become a free agent after the 2011 season. He will make $11 million this season.
The Plain Dealer of Cleveland reported Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore will drop from the leadoff spot to second in the batting order this season.
Taking his place atop the order will be shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who compiled a .340 on-base percentage in the leadoff spot while filling in for an injured Sizemore last year.
Sizemore has a career .369 OBP batting leadoff, but turned in a .340 mark in the role in 2009.
The newspaper also noted that Matt LaPorta again is a player without a set position. That is because recently signed Russell Branyan is expected to start at first base. As a rookie in 2009, LaPorta played first base, left field, right field and DH.
The Plain Dealer of Cleveland reported Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore will drop from the leadoff spot to second in the batting order this season.
Taking his place atop the order will be shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who compiled a .340 on-base percentage in the leadoff spot while filling in for an injured Sizemore last year.
Sizemore has a career .369 OBP batting leadoff, but turned in a .340 mark in the role in 2009.
The newspaper also noted that Matt LaPorta again is a player without a set position. That is because recently signed Russell Branyan is expected to start at first base. As a rookie in 2009, LaPorta played first base, left field, right field and DH.
Sporting News staff reports
Free-agent outfielder Jermaine Dye told the Chicago Sun-Times that he is shocked that he still is looking for work in late February.
Dye, the 2005 World Series MVP, said he has received some offers, but none to his liking.
"Teams want me as a backup player, and that’s something I’m not ready to do," Dye told the newspaper. "I feel undervalued, basically. I don’t think I have to go out there and prove anything to anyone. My numbers the last five or six years show I can help someone."
Teams could be concerned about Dye’s second-half slump last season; he hit .179 with seven homers and 26 RBIs after hitting .302 with 20 homers and 55 RBIs before the break.
The 36-year-old also shot down recent rumors that he was considering retirement.
The newspaper noted Dye has more homers than any American League outfielder in the past five years and ranks second in RBIs over that span.
Sporting News staff reports
Free-agent outfielder Jermaine Dye told the Chicago Sun-Times that he is shocked that he still is looking for work in late February.
Dye, the 2005 World Series MVP, said he has received some offers, but none to his liking.
"Teams want me as a backup player, and that’s something I’m not ready to do," Dye told the newspaper. "I feel undervalued, basically. I don’t think I have to go out there and prove anything to anyone. My numbers the last five or six years show I can help someone."
Teams could be concerned about Dye’s second-half slump last season; he hit .179 with seven homers and 26 RBIs after hitting .302 with 20 homers and 55 RBIs before the break.
The 36-year-old also shot down recent rumors that he was considering retirement.
The newspaper noted Dye has more homers than any American League outfielder in the past five years and ranks second in RBIs over that span.
The No. 1 question regarding the Nationals in recent seasons has been whether they will lose 100 games. The past two seasons, the answer has been yes.
This season should be different. By July, the Nationals could feature a rotation that includes the Next Big Thing, Stephen Strasburg, and two-time 19-game winner Chien-Ming Wang. Their offense already is formidable with Adam Dunn, Ryan Zimmerman and Nyjer Morgan. If they can improve their defense, the Nationals’ focus could turn to finishing .500, instead of trying to avoid a triple-digit loss total.
Three questions
All eyes will be on stud prospect Stephen Strasburg throughout the Nats’ season.
1. Will the defense be better?
It can’t get much worse. The Nationals’ 143 errors last season were the most in the majors since 2004 and resulted in a major league-worst 83 unearned runs allowed. Getting Dunn out of left field should help; the more he settled in at first base last season, the better he played according to manager Jim Riggleman. The manager believes the addition of catcher Pudge Rodriguez will slow down opponents’ running games and help his young pitchers.
Second base and shortstop, however, could be trouble. Cristian Guzman and newcomer Adam Kennedy lack range, and young Ian Desmond is considered an offensive shortstop. One positive: The Nationals scrapped plans to move Guzman to second after they signed Kennedy.
2. When will Strasburg arrive?
Best guess: June 21, home vs. the Royals. If his stuff plays as well as advertised, Strasburg could pitch in the majors today. However, the righthander with the 100-mph fastball and the record contract never has pitched to a major league batter. Strasburg is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut March 9, but regardless of how he performs this spring, the Nationals figure to start him in the minors.
Riggleman faced a similar situation when he managed the Cubs in 1998 and sent down a young Kerry Wood despite a strong spring. "It was tempting to keep him from Day 1," Riggleman said. "Now I don’t know if that would have been a bad decision, but he started the minors and joined us pretty quickly. I hope the same thing happens with Stephen."
3. What will Pudge provide?
Rodriguez is 38 and coming off his worst offensive season, but Washington gave him a two-year contract. One reason: Uncertainty around Jesus Flores. The 25-year-old catcher had a promising 2009 season derailed by shoulder problems, and the Nationals aren’t sure when he will be 100 percent.
The Nationals believe Pudge has plenty of spring left in his step. "He’s still a very athletic guy who can put his bat on the ball," said Riggleman, who added that Pudge could catch as many as 120 games. "Part of that will depend on Flores’ availability." Riggleman will be surprised if Pudge doesn’t improve upon his .249 batting average from 2009. "The last couple of years when my teams have played against Pudge, he was hitting line drives," Riggleman said. "He hit the ball much better than his average indicated. By the law of averages, some of those line drives will find holes instead of being hit right at people."
Projected lineup
1. CF Nyjer Morgan: Reached base 82 times in 49 games with Nats.
2. 2B Adam Kennedy: .289-11-63 with A’s in ’09.
3. 3B Ryan Zimmerman: Career highs in ’09: .292/.364/.525.
4. 1B Adam Dunn: 40 HRs from ’05-08; "only" 38 in ’09.
5. LF Josh Willingham: 24 HRs, .367 OBP last season.
6. RF Elijah Dukes: Nats want more than 8 HRs.
7. C Pudge Rodriguez: Struck out once every 4.6 at-bats.
8. SS Cristian Guzman: Only 16 BBs in 555 PA.
Projected rotation
1. LHP John Lannan: 33 starts, 206 IP, 3.88 ERA last season.
2. RHP Jason Marquis: Career-high 216 IP with Rockies in ’09.
3. LHP Scott Olsen: 6.03 ERA in 11 starts before injury.
4. RHP Livan Hernandez: 34 losses, 5.45 ERA since ’07.
4. RHP J.D. Martin: 5-4, 4.44 ERA in rookie season.
Projected closer
RHP Matt Capps: Experience gives him the edge over Brian Bruney.
Grades
Offense: B. Washington finished ninth in the N.L. in runs scored but clicked from the time it acquired Morgan (and put him in the leadoff spot) until his season ended in August because of a broken hand. The lineup should be deeper this season with the additions of Kennedy and Rodriguez.
Pitching: D. Until Wang (shoulder) is healthy, the rotation will be at least two starters thin. But the real issue is the bullpen, which finished with an MLB-worst 5.04 ERA. That ERA, however, still was better than the 5.80 mark Capps posted for Pittsburgh last season.
Bench: D. They lack power off the bench and depth in the infield, where Alberto Gonzalez will serve as the primary utilityman. Fourth outfielder Willie Harris had a .364 on-base percentage in 137 games last season. Wil Nieves will be the backup catcher until Flores is healthy.
Manager: B. Riggleman has had two winning seasons in 10 seasons (or partial seasons) as a manager, but that is a reflection of on-field talent more than his managerial skills. The Nationals went 33-42 under Riggleman after starting 26-61 under Manny Acta last season, prompting the club to remove the interim label and give Riggleman a two-year contract.
Sporting News prediction: They will be improved, but they still have a long way to go. Count on a third consecutive last-place finish and the end of an impressive streak: New starter Jason Marquis is likely to miss the playoffs for the first time in his 11-season career.
Coming Monday: Twins preview.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
The No. 1 question regarding the Nationals in recent seasons has been whether they will lose 100 games. The past two seasons, the answer has been yes.
This season should be different. By July, the Nationals could feature a rotation that includes the Next Big Thing, Stephen Strasburg, and two-time 19-game winner Chien-Ming Wang. Their offense already is formidable with Adam Dunn, Ryan Zimmerman and Nyjer Morgan. If they can improve their defense, the Nationals’ focus could turn to finishing .500, instead of trying to avoid a triple-digit loss total.
Three questions
All eyes will be on stud prospect Stephen Strasburg throughout the Nats’ season.
1. Will the defense be better?
It can’t get much worse. The Nationals’ 143 errors last season were the most in the majors since 2004 and resulted in a major league-worst 83 unearned runs allowed. Getting Dunn out of left field should help; the more he settled in at first base last season, the better he played according to manager Jim Riggleman. The manager believes the addition of catcher Pudge Rodriguez will slow down opponents’ running games and help his young pitchers.
Second base and shortstop, however, could be trouble. Cristian Guzman and newcomer Adam Kennedy lack range, and young Ian Desmond is considered an offensive shortstop. One positive: The Nationals scrapped plans to move Guzman to second after they signed Kennedy.
2. When will Strasburg arrive?
Best guess: June 21, home vs. the Royals. If his stuff plays as well as advertised, Strasburg could pitch in the majors today. However, the righthander with the 100-mph fastball and the record contract never has pitched to a major league batter. Strasburg is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut March 9, but regardless of how he performs this spring, the Nationals figure to start him in the minors.
Riggleman faced a similar situation when he managed the Cubs in 1998 and sent down a young Kerry Wood despite a strong spring. "It was tempting to keep him from Day 1," Riggleman said. "Now I don’t know if that would have been a bad decision, but he started the minors and joined us pretty quickly. I hope the same thing happens with Stephen."
3. What will Pudge provide?
Rodriguez is 38 and coming off his worst offensive season, but Washington gave him a two-year contract. One reason: Uncertainty around Jesus Flores. The 25-year-old catcher had a promising 2009 season derailed by shoulder problems, and the Nationals aren’t sure when he will be 100 percent.
The Nationals believe Pudge has plenty of spring left in his step. "He’s still a very athletic guy who can put his bat on the ball," said Riggleman, who added that Pudge could catch as many as 120 games. "Part of that will depend on Flores’ availability." Riggleman will be surprised if Pudge doesn’t improve upon his .249 batting average from 2009. "The last couple of years when my teams have played against Pudge, he was hitting line drives," Riggleman said. "He hit the ball much better than his average indicated. By the law of averages, some of those line drives will find holes instead of being hit right at people."
Projected lineup
1. CF Nyjer Morgan: Reached base 82 times in 49 games with Nats.
2. 2B Adam Kennedy: .289-11-63 with A’s in ’09.
3. 3B Ryan Zimmerman: Career highs in ’09: .292/.364/.525.
4. 1B Adam Dunn: 40 HRs from ’05-08; "only" 38 in ’09.
5. LF Josh Willingham: 24 HRs, .367 OBP last season.
6. RF Elijah Dukes: Nats want more than 8 HRs.
7. C Pudge Rodriguez: Struck out once every 4.6 at-bats.
8. SS Cristian Guzman: Only 16 BBs in 555 PA.
Projected rotation
1. LHP John Lannan: 33 starts, 206 IP, 3.88 ERA last season.
2. RHP Jason Marquis: Career-high 216 IP with Rockies in ’09.
3. LHP Scott Olsen: 6.03 ERA in 11 starts before injury.
4. RHP Livan Hernandez: 34 losses, 5.45 ERA since ’07.
4. RHP J.D. Martin: 5-4, 4.44 ERA in rookie season.
Projected closer
RHP Matt Capps: Experience gives him the edge over Brian Bruney.
Grades
Offense: B. Washington finished ninth in the N.L. in runs scored but clicked from the time it acquired Morgan (and put him in the leadoff spot) until his season ended in August because of a broken hand. The lineup should be deeper this season with the additions of Kennedy and Rodriguez.
Pitching: D. Until Wang (shoulder) is healthy, the rotation will be at least two starters thin. But the real issue is the bullpen, which finished with an MLB-worst 5.04 ERA. That ERA, however, still was better than the 5.80 mark Capps posted for Pittsburgh last season.
Bench: D. They lack power off the bench and depth in the infield, where Alberto Gonzalez will serve as the primary utilityman. Fourth outfielder Willie Harris had a .364 on-base percentage in 137 games last season. Wil Nieves will be the backup catcher until Flores is healthy.
Manager: B. Riggleman has had two winning seasons in 10 seasons (or partial seasons) as a manager, but that is a reflection of on-field talent more than his managerial skills. The Nationals went 33-42 under Riggleman after starting 26-61 under Manny Acta last season, prompting the club to remove the interim label and give Riggleman a two-year contract.
Sporting News prediction: They will be improved, but they still have a long way to go. Count on a third consecutive last-place finish and the end of an impressive streak: New starter Jason Marquis is likely to miss the playoffs for the first time in his 11-season career.
Coming Monday: Twins preview.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
