2008 Record: 59-102
Projected Lineup:
1. Cristian Guzman SS
2. Lastings Milledge CF
3. Ryan Zimmerman 3B
4. Adam Dunn 1B
5. Elijah Dukes RF
6. Josh Willingham LF
7. Jesus Flores C
8. Anderson Hernandez 2B
The Nationals are just a collection of misfits, yet I kind of like it. Elijah Dukes really started to play well at the end of last year, and the addition of Dunn should at least make the Nationals somewhat respectable. Zimmerman is the face of the franchise, but he has kind of been a let down after exploding in 2006. If this team is going to do anything players like Zimmerman, and Milledge are going to have to step up big time.
Projected Rotation:
1. John Lannan
2. Scott Olsen
3. Shawn Hill
4. Daniel Cabrera
5. Collin Balester
CL Joel Hanrahan
Lannan is young, and had a very good rookie season. If he can keep progressing the Nationals might actually have their ace of the future. Cabrera is just a tease. He has all the talent in the world, but just can't throw strikes consistently. In the end none of these guys will win more then 12 games. Lannan was their best pitcher last year and he only had 9 wins.
Minors Watch:
Jordan Zimmerman (P)- Is eventually going to be an ace. Throws a hard sinker...think Derek Lowe.
Christopher Marrero (1B) - has all the power in the world, but broke his leg last year, and needs to prove himself. He has time, since he is only 20 years old.
Overall:
The Nationals will not be a good team (obviously!), but I think they are going in the right direction. I think Elijah Dukes and Lastings Milledge are going to have breakout years, and with Dunn in the middle on the lineup they should be putting up some runs. Still, they have no pitching, so it will be another long year.
Record: 70-92
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