Nationals set to open season at New Ballpark

Originally Posted on 2/18/08

Series of Team Overviews for 2008; Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals (formerly the Montreal Expos) have played all their home games at the old RFK in our nations capitol since moving to D.C. a few years ago and now, in 2008, the Nationals will finally have a home of their own. Nationals Park (until Corporate naming rights are sold) will be home of the first baseball game not being played in Japan. The Nationals will open up their new state of the art ballpark on Sunday Night, March 30th on ESPN with our current President, George W. Bush on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Let's hope we don't hear too many boos before a real first pitch is thrown...

Getting the nod for the Nats first opponent are the Atlanta Braves so we're likely to see future Hall of Famer John Smoltz pitching against.... ? Who knows who will be the Opening Day starter for the Nationals and it is for that reason along with some other offensive holes that should keep the Nationals from having a successful season.

On the other hand, the ballpark does look great from the photos found online. Some of the upper level seats will actually have sight lines of our U.S. Capitol Building. Although the team might struggle on the field, at least fans will have a great venue to watch a game and in time the Nationals should have enough revenue coming in to improve the squad. In the meantime, if you'd like more info on the Nationals new stadium, click here.

With the Nats on the field, they'll have young star Ryan Zimmerman at third leading the way but after that we're left with lots of question marks scattered around camp. Offensively, we should see better numbers with the new ballpark, on the flip side, it might also hurt the already dismal pitching staff. In taking a closer look at the team, we have position battles all over. At first base we have the Nats 2006 starter Nick Johnson battling 2007 starter and All-Star, Dimitri Young. Johnson has said to be completely healed from his broken leg injury and already swinging a hot stick but the edge has to go to Young, right? With the middle infield, we have three mediocre players vying for two spots including Ronnie Belliard, Christian Guzman and Felipe Lopez. My guess here is Belliard at 2b and Lopez at SS with Guzman getting called upon for late defensive help. In the outfield, the likely starters are Wily Mo Pena in left, newly acquired Lastings Milledge (via trade from Mets for Ryan Church) in center and Austin Kearns in right. However, Elijah Dukes (acquired via trade with Tampa Bay), Alex Escobar, Ryan Langerhans and Willie Harris are all in camp too trying to pull a starting spot in the outfield. We even have options behind the plate, with Johnny Estrada, Paul LoDuca, Chad Moeller and others. LoDuca should start once he returns from an injury but until then look to see Estrada behind the plate more often than not. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the Nats also have two Boone's in camp. Both Aaron and Bret were signed to minor league deals and invited to camp. Funny thing here is they're probably battling each other for a spot on the roster, we'll see what happens there in time.

With the pitching staff, we find many names on the roster and in camp but most of them are names no one recognizes including Nats manager, Manny Acta. But, Acta will have to figure it all out by March 30th and then figure out who gets the historical starting nod. Probably the most notable name is John Patterson, who in the past had great stuff and numbers but injuries have limited Patterson for the last two seasons and might again this year. After Patterson, we're left with Shawn Hill who pitched effectively last year but was injury prone as well. The remainder of the staff has no set decisions but topping the list of options are Jason Bergmann, Matt Chico, Tyler Clippard and Joel Hanrahan. Either way, these arms don't have much of a chance at winning much games... fans will just have to hope the bullpen can provide ample relief. Rounding out the staff in the pen are closer Chad Cordero and arms Jon Rauch, Luis Ayala, Saul Rivera, Ray King and others. Cordero and Rauch have made a great one two combination dating back to the Expos days, we'll see if they're still both together at seasons end.

So Nationals fans, enjoy the new park cause you probably won't enjoy too many wins in 2008.

Projected Lineup:
1. Felipe Lopez, SS
2. Ronnie Belliard, 2b
3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3b
4. Dimitri Young / Nick Johnson, 1b
5. Austin Kearns, RF
6. Wily Mo Pena, LF
7. Lastings Milledge, CF
8. Paul LoDuca / Johnny Estrada, C

Final Five:

1. Fantasy Value: How about avoid starting pitching, buy Cordero and Rauch with care and other than Ryan Zimmerman don't depend on anyone in the lineup to produce. Okay, so maybe that's a little too harsh, but not really. One item of note though is the new ballpark should help produce better offensive numbers but the problem remains this team has too many question marks. Pretty much buy with care on anyone!!!

2. Most likely to be traded: This team will not be fighting for a playoff spot and would be a last place team in most divisions but are fortunate enough to have the Marlins sharing the NL East with them. With that said, many are candidates to be traded including either Nick Johnson or Dimitri Young, one of the three middle infielders (Lopez, Guzman or Belliard) and of course we could hear mentions of either Cordero or Rauch moving with whoever remains closing out games.

3. Break out player for 2008: Zimmerman is already considered an All-Star, Kearns and Pena have shown success at times but the most intriguing player on the roster is Milledge. Milledge was once considered a top prospect in the NY Mets system until recent years and maybe a change of scenery and more job security in Washington will be just what Lastings needs to have a break out year.

4. Farm Top Five: The Nationals minor league system isn't in great shape either and their top prospect is a marginal arm in Tyler Clippard (fighting for a rotation spot). After Clippard, the Nats have another arm in Ross Detwiler and three outfield prospects, Justin Maxwell, Michael Burgess and Chris Marrero.

5. 2008 Record Prediction: 68-94, 4th in NL East