 2007 Washington Nationals Preview
Quote:
The Washington Nationals purchased the contracts of infielder Ronnie Belliard and utility player Robert Fick from the minor leagues, adding them to their 40-man roster.
The Nationals optioned left-hander Billy Traber to Columbus on Thursday, and sent outfielder Michael Restovich and infielder Bernie Castro outright to their Triple-A farm team. The Nationals also reassigned right-hander Josh Hall to minor league camp.
Slugging 1B Nick Johnson starts the season injured. Article Tools
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(AP) - As the Washington Nationals' April 2 opener approaches, here's a glance at the team:
2006:@ 71-91, fifth place.
Manager:@ Manny Acta (first season).
He's Here:@ 1B Dmitri Young, INF Ronnie Belliard, 1B Travis Lee, OF Chris Snelling, LHP Ray King, LHP Matt Chico, RHP Jason Simontacchi, RHP Jerome Williams, RHP Tim Redding.
He's Outta Here:@ Manager Frank Robinson, LF Alfonso Soriano, 2B Jose Vidro, RF Jose Guillen, CF Marlon Byrd, RHP Ramon Ortiz, RHP Tony Armas Jr., RHP Ryan Drese, RHP Brian Lawrence, RHP Felix Rodriguez, LHP Joey Eischen, RHP Travis Hughes, RHP Zach Day.
Projected Lineup:@ 2B Felipe Lopez (.274, 11 HRs, 52 RBIs, 98 runs, 44 SBs, .358 OBP, 126 Ks for Reds and Nationals), SS Cristian Guzman (.219, 4, 31 in 2005; missed 2006 with shoulder injury), 3B Ryan Zimmerman (.287, 20, 110, 47 2Bs), RF Austin Kearns (.264, 24, 86 for Reds and Nationals), LF Ryan Church (.276, 10, 35) or Chris Snelling (.250, 3, 8 in 96 ABs for Mariners), 1B Dmitri Young (.250, 7, 23 for Tigers) or Travis Lee (.224, 11, 31 for Devil Rays), C Brian Schneider (.256, 4, 55), CF Nook Logan (.300, 1, 8 in 90 ABs).
Rotation:@ RH John Patterson (1-2, 4.43 ERA, eight starts), RH Shawn Hill (1-3, 4.66, six starts), RH Jason Simontacchi (0-0, 5.29 ERA, 15 1-3 IP for Cardinals in 2004), LH Matt Chico (9-2, 2.45 at Double-A), RH Jerome Williams (0-2, 7.30 for Cubs) or RH Tim Redding (12-10, 3.40 at Triple-A).
Key Relievers:@ RH Chad Cordero (7-4, 3.19, 29/33 saves), RH Jon Rauch (4-5, 3.35, 85 appearances), RH Ryan Wagner (3-3, 4.70), LH Ray King (1-4, 4.43, 67 appearances for Rockies), RH Jason Bergmann (0-2, 6.6 , LH Micah Bowie (0-1, 1.37).
Hot Spot:@ The rotation. With a little more than a week left before opening day, only three starting spots are set _ although that's an improvement from the beginning of spring training, when just one was known. That's Patterson, coming off arm surgery. The Nationals essentially held an open tryout all spring, with guys such as Simontacchi (out of the majors since 2004) and Redding (21-34 with the Astros, Padres and Yankees from 2001-05) competing. How nervous is Washington about its pitching? It signed RHP Pedro Astacio on March 20 _ he went 5-5 with a 5.98 ERA in '06, left his final start with tightness in his forearm, and was released two days after the season ended....
| 2007 Washington Nationals Preview ThePundit's prediction: 5th in NL East. Besides Patterson, their starting pitching is hideous.  |
03-29-2007, 01:53 PM
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