While the Nationals didn’t do as badly as their disastrous 2009 season, where they went 59-103, they still found themselves in the basement of the division in 2010 with just 69 wins. While Washington wasn’t able to bring back power hitting first baseman Adam Dunn, they were able to bring in Adam LaRoche and Jason Werth.
With pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg not able to go until at least September, the Nationals simply don’t have the pitching or hitting to contend. Here is a quick look at the starting lineup and starting rotation for the Nationals, plus our MLB predictions on how we see them finishing the this season in the NL East.
Starting Lineup
The Nationals are counting heavily on the production of Werth and LaRoche, as their only other power hitter is third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who finished with 25 home runs with 85 RBIs. LaRoche hit 25 home runs with 100 RBIs while playing for the Diamondbacks. Werth hit 27 home runs to go along with 85 RBIs as a member of the Phillies. Other than these three, the rest of the lineup could be in trouble.
Long-time veteran Ivan Rodriguez is projected to open the season behind the plate but doesn’t figure to be more than a leader in the clubhouse. Nyjer Morgan didn’t quite have the season the Nationals were hoping for, hitting just .253 compared to the .307 he hit in 2009.
Washington also took an interesting gamble on outfielder Rick Ankiel, who has had a tough time staying healthy, but he could end up being one of the big surprises of the this season. Finally for the Nationals to take that next step, they need their young prospects to be even more of a factor. Ian Desmond had a solid rookie season, hitting 10 home runs with 65 RBIS, but still has a lot of work to do, the same could be said for Danny Espinosa, who hit just .214 with a .277 OBP in 28 games last year.
Starting Rotation
Even if Washington’s offense overachieves, it’s unlikely they compete in the division with the starting five they are predicted to start the year with. With Strasburg out for most of the year, Livan Hernandez is the ace of this rotation, and while he finished 2010 10-12 with a 3.66 ERA, he is better suited as a No. 3 starter.
What the Nationals need this season will be the continued improvement of youngsters John Lannan and Jordan Zimmermann. Lannan went 8-8 with a 4.65 ERA, but has pitched better in previous years, and could be ready to a breakout season. Zimmerman has started just seven games over the last two seasons because of Tommy John surgery, but Washington still believes he has what it takes to be a good pitcher in this league.
The the final two sports in the the rotation are a huge concern with Tom Gorzelanny and Jason Marquis. Neither figures to be dominant and we wouldn’t be shocked if the Nationals didn’t end the season with these two and try and get some younger arms some experience.
2011 Projections: 5th Place NL East
The Nationals lost their best power-hitter in Dunn and top pitcher in Strasburg, it’s hard to imagine Washington improving a whole lot this season. The NL East has too much talent, and we don’t think there is anyway they make it out of the basement in this division.The Nationals current MLB odds to win the NL East this season are +6000
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