They may not have the best stadium, uniforms, or team on paper, but they are certainly capable of drawing up some serious headlines.
In the last two years they have drafted two phenoms: Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper.
Lesser known early round picks like Drew Storen out of Stanford, stepped right in and made quite an impression for a last placed squad; 4-4, 3.58 ERA, 54 games, five saves, and 52 strikeouts in 55 innings.
Recently the “Nats” shelled out millions for Jayson Werth, specifically seven years, and $126 million. They did lose the services of Adam Dunn, so why not replace him with a guy who has undoubtedly hit his stride.
Full speed ahead.
At the hot corner is perennial All-Star, Ryan Zimmerman. I do not know him personally, but all signs point to a “good guy”. The most press this guy gets is getting his picture taken with number 1 draft picks!
Besides picture time, Zimmerman is good for 30/100 and a defense that has been recognized with a Gold Glove in ’09.
Their middle infield is made up of Danny Espinosa and Ian Desmond.
Espinosa is attempting to make the most of his opportunity and by all means, he has made great strides since being drafted in the third round of the 2008 draft.
Desmond is the epitome of hard work. After toiling in the minors for five seasons, he lived up to expectations in 2010, putting up respectable numbers, numbers that are eerily similar to another shortstop that is now making $15 million a year.
Obviously, there are many holes in this franchise.
For example, the starting rotation is a bit shoddy, led by Livan Herandez and Jason Marquis. On the flipside, the Nats’ bullpen is full of young kids that can simply get guys out: Sean Burnett with a 2.14 ERA in 73 games and Doug Slaten holding opponents to a .225 batting average.
Wishful thinking and the Nationals place third in 2011, but as we all know, they are not ready and fourth place is more than likely what it will come down to….But not for long as far as I’m concerned.
Few people pay much attention to the cellar dweller Nationals and Florida Marlins. Thankfully, over the next two to three years, the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and Atlanta Braves will be doing everything possible to ruin each other’s playoff chances.
In the meantime, the Nationals are lying in the weeds, waiting for their time to strike.
Within two years, Stephen Strasburg will be fully recovered and Bryce Harper, in all estimation, will be roaming the outfield full time. Added to that, A.J. Cole, a highly touted draft pick that fell to later rounds because of a previous commitment to the University of Miami, should be able to shore up the rotation.
Things are afoot, the wheels are in motion, the time is right.
Whatever cliché you want to use, the National League East will be one entertaining division come April.
Devon is the founder of The GM’s Perspective
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