Nats to go as Far or Not as Far as Pitching Takes Them

There's been a lot said about the Washington Nationals for 2007. Will they break their 91 losses of 2006? Will they eclipse 100 losses? Some even point to the Nats having a shot at the 1962 Mets record of 120 losses. Either way, one thing is pretty clear -- actually very clear -- DC Sports Blog ain't going no where and we will give you Nats coverage.

So the consensus out there is, the biggest problem the Nats have is in the arms race.

Starting pitching appears to be the greatest of D.C.’s follies. Spring training has been a free-for-all for the spots behind No. 1 John Patterson, whose big-league resume boasts only 17 victories. And Patterson made just eight starts last year because of a forearm injury. Beyond that, well, the lack of starting talent may make it difficult for Nats fans to “pledge your allegiance,”
as the club’s website asks cyber-visitors to do.

Washington Post columnist Tom Boswell was especially blunt recently assessing the Nationals’ dismal place in the arms’ race: “… the first baseball axiom of spring training is, 'The pitchers are always ahead of the hitters.’ What happens when the hitters catch up? Right now, the Nats’ hurlers are barely ahead of the hearse.”

Livingston from USA Today points tot he pitching woes in DC as well

At first blush, the Washington Nationals' biggest problem is a pitching rotation that won a grand total of two games in the majors last season ... So a pitcher who hasn't won in the major leagues since 2003 will join three right-handers who've been detoured by elbow problems and a rookie who hasn't pitched above Class AA for a team trying to create buzz with a payroll below $40 million.

Sounds encouraging. Well, at least we have Chad Cordero in the bullpen. Then again, what is the point of having a great closer if we can't get tot he closer.

BUT, i swear I mean it, I am going into 2007 with a little optimism. Why? Ummmmm, I'll give it a shot ....

1. Hey, it baseball season!n It's DC! Ain't that enough? Ok, if not ...

2. Let's take a look at what we will learn out of the 2007 season. We have 25 year old Shawn Hill slated at number 2 in the rotation and 23 year old Matt Chico right behind him in the third slot. Jason Bergmann will toss innings as well. These guys are young. Kasten has stated he has a plan, he had a plan before when building Atlanta, that gets a high trust rating for me. So before the plan is fully implemented, and some money is spent, 2007 will answer three questions...do either of these three young ptichers have staying power in DC! Ok, ok, Ok ... if that is convincing you or making you a little optmistic, I'll keep trying.

3. Ryan Zimmerman. He will be fun to watch. This guy is going to blosson fully into star power in 2007. Part of me wishes the Nats would rewarded Zimmerman with a nice long, healthy contract, but I have a feeling they will. Zimmerman is the face of the franchise right now, in fact, the only face recognizable by many fantasy players, besides Cordero. I think the Nats have made it clear that building a franchise in DC starts around Zimmerman. Kid had a terffic Spring hitting .406 with 8 doubles, 3 HRs and 15 RBIs. Pretty healthy numbers. Zimmerman will be THE reason to watch this year!

4. Christian Guzman. You know what, Guzman has received alot of slack whereever he has been. he has not been real healthy since joining the Nats nor productive. Look for a change in 2007. Look for Guzman to stand up and be counted. Guzmna looks healthy and hass a great attitude. Guzman has hit .419 in 43 at bats and knocked in 9 runs. Along with C Brian Schneider and OF Austin Kearns, Guzman''s veteran leadership is desparately needed and ciounted on to help guide this young team through many rough patches it will hit.

5. Austin Kearns. I thought the deal the Nats made to obtain Kearns was phenomenal. Kearns is a solid player The Nats are relying on bigger type numbers from Kearns this year.

"He hasn't done what everyone in baseball, including myself, expects out of him, but in his defense he has been hurt quite a bit," Acta said. "He's just entering his prime right now. So I think we're going to have the best years of Austin in Washington. He's capable of over 25 home runs and over 100 RBI."

He will be the top power hitter along with Zimmerman and boy do we need it. But Kearns appears ready to play the role

"I feel like I'm getting better and getting where I need to be," Kearns said. "I had some injuries that broke up some time, but I've stayed healthy the last couple years. I think it's kind of a process, and I'm looking for it to all come together. I would say the team could surprise a lot of people," Kearns said. "I'm not saying by surprise to go out and win the division or something like that, but I think we can play good baseball and be very respectable. I look forward to doing that. We've got a lot of guys that enjoy playing the game and have fun, and I think that's going to carry over on the field."

6. Finally, Manny Acta. If anyone can lead and inexperienced, young team, Acta is that guy. He brings such excitement to the game and instills that in the players he is leading. His first huge test is not Spring Training. His first huge test is not Opening Day. His first huge test will be that first significant losing streak aand how he responds and rallies this young team. That will be the defining moment of Manny Acta and the future he has here. I don't think even the most optimistic of all us, are expecting a winning season or even a .500 season. So when these long losing streaks start, Acta has to shine and bring the kids through it.

There you go...