2008 Preview: NL East Division

The addition of Johan Santana to their rotation makes the New York Mets the favorites to win the NL East, but old friend Charlie Manuel's Philadelphia Phillies may sneak up on them again. Manuel managed the hard-hitting Phils past the slumping Mets in the final week in 2007. If Philadelphia gets better pitching, the Phillies could return to post-season play. The others don't seem to have enough.

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ATLANTA BRAVES
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Manager Bobby Cox's first order of business is playing mix and match in center and left fields; Jeff Francoeur was firmly established in right even before he earned his first Gold Glove. Cox expects Mark Kotsay to be healthy and Matt Diaz improved in left the more he played there last season, but the Braves need effective backups at both spots. That could be the same person, or that spot could be filled by a versatile infielder.
Last spring, the Braves seemed tense after failing to make the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons. Now they've missed the playoffs for the last two seasons, but are anything but tense. The combination of pitching depth, the chance to have 1B Mark Teixeira for an entire season, and the lift injected by the return of LHP Tom Glavine has everybody loose.
ARRIVALS: RHP Jair Jurrjens (trade with Tigers), RHP Chris Resop (waivers from Angels), OF Josh Anderson (trade with Astros), LHP Tom Glavine (free agent from Mets), LHP Will Ohman and INF Omar Infante (trade with Cubs), OF Mark Kotsay (trade with Athletics.)
DEPARTURES: SS Edgar Renteria (traded to Tigers), RHP Oscar Villarreal (traded to Astros), RHP Jose Ascanio (traded to Cubs), CF Andruw Jones (free agent, to Dodgers), OF Willie Harris (free agent, to Nationals), RHP Chad Paronto (released, signed with Astros), LHP Ron Mahay (free agent, to Royals), RHP Joey Devine (traded to Athletics), RHP Lance Cormier, (released, signed with Orioles), RHP Octavio Dotel (free agent, to White Sox), INF Willy Aybar (traded to Rays), INF Pete Orr (free agent, to Nationals), INF Julio Franco and INF Chris Woodward (free agents, unsigned).
LHP Mike Hampton's two-season rehab notwithstanding, Cox says, "We have high hopes for him," as one of the Braves' five starters. ...3B Chipper Jones says the magic number for him is 150, as in the number of games he is counting on playing this season, after two years in which he had to deal with freak injuries. "Pitching, pitching, pitching. That's what it's all about." Jones said when asked about the Braves' hopes.
PROJECTED ROTATION:
1. RHP John Smoltz
2. RHP Tim Hudson
3. LHP Tom Glavine
4. LHP Mike Hampton
5. RHP Jeff Bennett or LHP Chuck James
Only the first three are guaranteed jobs, in some order. The last two spots in the rotation are up for grabs. But Cox, general manager Frank Wren and pitching coach Roger McDowell are confident there are more than enough arms in the system to make a strong rotation.
PROJECTED BULLPEN:
RHP Rafael Soriano (closer)
RHP Peter Moylan
LHP Will Ohman
RHP Tyler Yates
RHP Manny Acosta
RHP Chris Resop
LHP Royce Ring
Remember how giddy the Braves were about the bullpen last season when they started out with a trio of closers: Soriano, LHP Mike Gonzalez and RHP Bob Wickman? Well, that blew up in a hurry; Gonzalez was felled by elbow surgery and Wickman by blown saves. A year later, the Braves are happy to pin their closing hopes on Soriano, who proved his mettle last season. And they look forward to Gonzalez's return from Tommy John surgery some time in June.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1. SS Yunel Escobar
2. CF Mark Kotsay
3. 3B Chipper Jones
4. 1B Mark Teixeira
5. RF Jeff Francoeur
6. C Brian McCann
7. LF Matt Diaz
8. 2B Kelly Johnson
Cox will be moving his outfielders and Johnson up and down in the batting order throughout the spring as he ponders where Kotsay fits best. Jones and Teixeira will stay right where they are.
PROJECTED RESERVES:
OF Brandon Jones
OF Josh Anderson
INF Omar Infante
INF Scott Thorman or INF Martin Prado
C Javy Lopez or C Clint Sammons
Cox and Wren have several ways to go as they construct the club, thanks to the versatility of several players. If C Javy Lopez wins the backup catcher's job, his would be a nice bat to have on the bench.
TOP ROOKIES:
Here, too, the Braves believe they have quality candidates not too far off, and capable of filling in for a week or two when injuries strike. Brent Lillibridge, 24, is ready to play outfield, third, second and shortstop. That versatility could well earn a spot for him on the Opening Day roster, depending on how well INF Scott Thorman and INF Martin Prado perform. In 87 games at Richmond, Lillibridge hit .287 with 10 homers and 41 RBIs with 28 stolen bases in 33 attempts. Jordan Schafer, 21, is the heir apparent in center, and could get some time with the club this season if injuries strike. After posting a .294 batting average with 10 homers and a .354 on-base percentage at Class A Myrtle Beach, he hit .324 and drove in 16 runs in 26 games in the Arizona Fall League.
MEDICAL WATCH: LHP Mike Gonzalez (Tommy John elbow surgery in May 2007) is not expected to pitch until after the All-Star break. … RHP Anthony Lerew (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2007) won't start the season. … INF Omar Infante (broken left hand) may miss the start of the season.

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FLORIDA MARLINS
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The Marlins had a busy offseason, bringing in eight new players. Now they must see if they mesh. The key question is how the lineup will fare without Miguel Cabrera. Jose Castillo hopes to win the third-base job, while the team hopes Cameron Maybin wins the center-field job. If the Marlins hope to succeed with young players, they must improve their defense and cut down on errors. That, in turn, will help the young rotation.
SS Hanley Ramirez will have to prove he can replace Cabrera as the lineup's main engine. Ramirez is coming off a strong 2007 season when he batted .332 with 29 home runs and 81 RBIs. If the regular season started today, Ramirez would hit in his usual leadoff spot, regardless of whether speedy Maybin makes the team.
Another challenge: The rotation must stay healthy and replace the durability of innings-eater Dontrelle Willis. As part of pitching coach Mark Wiley's goal to cut down on walks, Marlins pitchers were under orders in early camp to throw only fastballs and changeups and concentrate on throwing strikes.
The Marlins also must decide if Mike Rabelo and Matt Treanor are capable of manning the catcher position after Miguel Olivo was non-tendered.
ARRIVALS: LHP Andrew Miller, CF Cameron Maybin and C Mike Rabelo (trade with Tigers), INF Jose Castillo (free agent from Pirates), INF Jorge Cantu (free agent from Reds), LHP Mark Hendrickson and OF Luis Gonzalez (free agents from Dodgers), INF Dallas McPherson (free agent from Angels).
DEPARTURES: RHP Mauro Zarate (waivers to Padres), OF Reggie Abercrombie (waivers to Astros), RHP Jose Garcia (waivers to Athletics), 3B Miguel Cabrera and LHP Dontrelle Willis (traded to Tigers), INF Aaron Boone (free agent, to Nationals), C Miguel Olivo (free agent, to Royals), RHP Armando Benitez (free agent, unsigned) RHP Byung-Hyun Kim (free agent, to Pirates).
PROJECTED ROTATION:
1. LHP Scott Olsen
2. RHP Sergio Mitre
3. LHP Andrew Miller
4. LHP Mark Hendrickson
5. RHP Ricky Nolasco
Olsen will have a chance to put his troubles behind him and secure the No. 1 spot. He'll battle Mitre. Olsen must work on his location and cut down on walks. Rookie Miller will win a spot unless he has an awful spring. Nolasco and Mitre both must prove they are healthy. RHP Rick VandenHurk could supplant Nolasco with a strong spring. Above all, everyone must stay healthy and avoid a repeat of last spring, when RHP Josh Johnson and RHP Anibal Sanchez went down with injuries. Prospects RHP Gaby Hernandez and RHP Chris Volstad could join the team by June if they excel in the minors.
PROJECTED BULLPEN:
RHP Kevin Gregg (closer)
RHP Justin Miller
RHP Lee Gardner
LHP Taylor Tankersley
RHP Matt Lindstrom
LHP Renyel Pinto
RHP Logan Kensing
The bullpen was the lone bright spot last year, and the personnel hasn't changed. Gregg emerged as the closer by midseason and should settle comfortably into the role and improve. Lindstrom and Pinto need to prove they are past the health issues that limited them last year. Kensing starts his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1. CF Cameron Maybin
2. RF Jeremy Hermida
3. SS Hanley Ramirez
4. 1B Mike Jacobs
5. LF Josh Willingham
6. 2B Dan Uggla
7. 3B Jose Castillo
8. C Matt Treanor
If Maybin wins the center field job, he'll eventually lead off, dropping Ramirez to third. Ramirez, who led the team with a .332 average hitting mostly from the leadoff spot, will have to prove he can hit just as well from the three spot. After that, the middle of the order will be Mike Jacobs, Josh Willingham and Dan Uggla. All three will be expected to replace Miguel Cabrera's production.
PROJECTED RESERVES:
OF Luis Gonzalez
INF/OF Jason Wood or INF Jorge Cantu
INF/OF Alfredo Amezaga
OF Cody Ross
C Mike Rabelo
Gonzalez will be the first man off the bench and will get playing time spelling Willingham in left. Ross will have to prove his hamstring is healthy or he'll lose out to Cantu. The rest of the bench should return.
TOP ROOKIES:
CF Cameron Maybin excelled in Class A but struggled in a brief major league call-up last year. The former first-round pick has all five tools, but he will start at Class AA or Class AAA if he doesn't win a starting role out of camp. LHP Andrew Miller could lose his rotation spot with an awful spring, which isn't expected. Waiting in the wings are RHP Gaby Hernandez and RHP Chris Volstad. They'll start the season in the minors but could join the big-league team as early as May if the rotation falters. Hernandez, 21, made 28 starts and logged 153 2/3 innings at Class AA Carolina last year. Volstad, who is 6-foot-7, was a first-round pick in the 2005 draft. He pitched in 28 games last year between Class A and Class AA, going 4-2 with a 3.16 ERA in seven starts.
MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Anibal Sanchez (shoulder surgery in June 2007) could be back on the mound during spring training but isn't expected to pitch in the majors until June or July. …RHP Josh Johnson (reconstructive elbow surgery in August 2007) started throwing from a mound early in spring training. He is targeting a July return, but it's possible he might not be ready until September. … RHP Henry Owens (right shoulder surgery in August 2007) won't be back before the All-Star break.

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NEW YORK METS
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General manager Omar Minaya told Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon after the winter meetings that he believed the opportunity to acquire LHP Johan Santana would come back. It did, and an uneventful offseason turned prosperous when the team was able to complete the trade for the two-time Cy Young Award winner, making New York the favorite to win the NL East. They still have some issues, but none so glaring that they won't be contenders.
How far the Mets go will depend on their pitching, and a lot of the attention will go to the curiosity of seeing Santana and RHP Pedro Martinez in the same rotation. Martinez, who missed most of last season with a rotator cuff injury, is a physical question despite finishing the year healthy. The Mets must also have RHP John Maine and LHP Oliver Perez continue their development. Among the position players, the team is looking for bounce-back seasons from 1B Carlos Delgado and LF Moises Alou. Delgado began last season coming off wrist and elbow surgeries, then ended the season with a broken hand and lingering knee and hip injuries. Now, the first baseman is being treated for an impingement to his right hip.
ARRIVALS: RHP Brian Stokes (trade with Rays), OF Ryan Church and C Brian Schneider (trade with Nationals), RHP Matt Wise (free agent from Brewers), OF Angel Pagan (trade with Cubs), RHP Ruddy Lugo (waivers from Athletics), LHP Johan Santana (trade with Twins), RHP Tony Armas (free agent from Pirates).
DEPARTURES: LHP Tom Glavine (free agent, to Braves), RHP Guillermo Mota (traded to Brewers), OF Lastings Milledge (traded to Nationals), C Paul Lo Duca (free agent, to Nationals), RHP Phil Humber and OF Carlos Gomez (traded to Twins), OF Shawn Green, RHP Aaron Sele and 1B Jeff Conine (free agents, unsigned), C Mike DiFelice (free agent, to Rays), RHP Brian Lawrence (free agent, to Royals).
PROJECTED ROTATION:
1. LHP Johan Santana
2. RHP Pedro Martinez
3. RHP John Maine
4. LHP Oliver Perez
5. RHP Orlando Hernandez
Santana is the ace, but will manager Willie Randolph bow to Martinez's reputation and make him the Opening Day starter? With Martinez a six-inning pitcher these days and coming back from shoulder surgery, having him go first might be a better way to set up the rotation. Maine and Perez, each 26, both won 15 games last year, and their continued development is essential. What good is it if Santana wins 20 and Maine and Perez hit the skids at 10 victories apiece? Competition for the fifth starter will be between Hernandez and RHP Mike Pelfrey. GM Omar Minaya said Hernandez would not pitch out of the bullpen.
PROJECTED BULLPEN:
LHP Billy Wagner (closer)
RHP Aaron Heilman
LHP Pedro Feliciano
LHP Scott Schoeneweis
RHP Jorge Sosa
RHP Matt Wise
Wagner is set as the closer, with Heilman and Feliciano the righty and lefty setup relievers. It's a balanced 'pen with three lefties and three righties. Schoeneweis, Sosa and Wise all have the ability to work multiple innings. The complexion of the bullpen could change dramatically if RHP Duaner Sanchez is able to rebound from shoulder surgery.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1. SS Jose Reyes
2. 2B Luis Castillo
3. 3B David Wright
4. CF Carlos Beltran
5. 1B Carlos Delgado
6. LF Moises Alou
7. RF Ryan Church
8. C Brian Schneider
The top four in the order are set. Reyes went into a funk in the second half last year, and the early focus will be on how he recovers. The second spot in the order was a black hole until Castillo was acquired from Minnesota. Wright just keeps getting better, and with healthy knees, Beltran can be a 40-40 player. Delgado and Alou could be flipped depending on the pitcher. Nagging injuries sapped the production of each last year. Church should give the Mets the consistency they didn't get from Lastings Milledge. Schneider is primarily a defensive player.
PROJECTED RESERVES:
C Ramon Castro
INF Marlon Anderson
INF Damion Easley
OF Endy Chavez
OF Angel Pagan
Castro has been productive off the bench, but he gets exposed over time. Anderson is a premier pinch hitter. Easley can play both the infield and outfield. He's coming off a severe ankle injury. Chavez missed most of last season with a hamstring injury.
TOP ROOKIES:
RHP Eddie Kunz was the Mets' first selection in last year's draft. He's a hard-throwing closer whose trip to the major leagues could be accelerated if RHP Duaner Sanchez's recovery from shoulder surgery is delayed. OF Fernando Martinez was the object of Minnesota's desire in negotiations for Santana, but GM Omar Minaya held fast. Martinez has speed and some pop but is still a couple of years away.
MEDICAL WATCH: 1B Carlos Delgado (right hip impingement) had an MRI on March 1. He is day-to-day. … RHP Orlando Hernandez (right foot surgery in October 2007) is progressing slowly, but he said he will be ready for the start of the season. … CF Carlos Beltran (arthroscopic surgery on both knees in October 2007) hopes to be cleared to play soon. … OF Endy Chavez (right hamstring and right ankle) is taking batting practice, but isn't ready to play. … 2B Luis Castillo (arthroscopic right knee surgery in October 2007) hopes to be cleared to play this week.

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PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
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After winning the NL East and making the playoffs for the first time since 1993, expectations are high for the Phillies in 2008. With a lineup that scored nearly 900 runs last season, they believe they can slug their way back to the postseason. But they'll need to get better pitching and avoid the rash of injuries that nearly sank them in 2007.
With back-to-back MVPs Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard and perennial MVP candidate Chase Utley in the lineup, the Phillies don't think they'll have trouble scoring. Most of the spring attention will be paid to the pitching staff, where there are at least two bullpen jobs available. There also are questions in the back half of the starting rotation. Can overnight sensation Kyle Kendrick avoid a sophomore jinx? Will 45-year-old Jamie Moyer start acting his age? Can Adam Eaton lower his ERA from 6.29 last season?
LHP Cole Hamels is neither angry nor disappointed that he won't start Opening Day. A 15-game winner in 2007, Hamels will start the second game April 2 against the Washington Nationals. The Phillies tabbed RHP Brett Myers as their Opening Day starter, a move made to reaffirm that he'll stay in the rotation even after new closer Brad Lidge had knee surgery Feb. 25. "I actually don't mind (Myers) being first," Hamels said. "There's a lot of hype that goes in with Opening Day. For myself, it's not a real big deal. Being 24 years old, I have plenty of years to chase after (45-year-old lefty and four-time Opening Day starter) Jamie Moyer. After about three, four starts, it doesn't matter anymore anyway." Hamels went 15-5 with a 3.39 ERA, finished seventh in the league with 177 strikeouts and pitched in the All-Star Game.
ARRIVALS: RHP Brad Lidge and INF Eric Bruntlett (trade with Astros), 3B Pedro Feliz (free agent from Giants), OF Geoff Jenkins (free agent from Brewers), OF So Taguchi (free agent from Cardinals), RHP Chad Durbin (free agent from Tigers), OF Chris Snelling (trade with Rays), LHP Travis Blackley (Rule 5 draft pick from Giants), RHP Lincoln Holdzkom (Rule 5 draft pick from Red Sox), LHP Shane Youman and INF Ray Olmedo (waivers from Pirates), RHP Kris Benson (free agent from Orioles).
DEPARTURES: CF Aaron Rowand (free agent, to Giants), 2B Tadahito Iguchi (free agent, to Padres), RHP Geoff Geary and OF Michael Bourn (traded to Astros), RHP Jon Lieber (free agent, to Cubs), C Rod Barajas (free agent, to Blue Jays), INF Abraham Nunez (free agent, to Brewers), OF Chris Roberson (traded to Orioles), RHPs Kyle Lohse, Antonio Alfonseca, Freddy Garcia and Jose Mesa (all free agent, unsigned).
PROJECTED ROTATION:
1. RHP Brett Myers
2. LHP Cole Hamels
3. RHP Kyle Kendrick
4. LHP Jamie Moyer
5. RHPs Adam Eaton, Chad Durbin or Kris Benson or LHP Travis Blackley
Unimpressed by the available talent in a paper-thin free agent market, the Phillies opted to trade for a closer (Brad Lidge) and move Myers back to the rotation, where he pitched for 4 1/2 seasons until shifting to the bullpen last April. Myers liked closing, and the Phillies preferred him in that role. But he's a three-pitch, 200-inning workhorse who should add stability to a rotation that needs it. Hold that thought, though, because the Phillies were holding their breath after Lidge injured his surgically repaired knee Feb. 23. Hamels emerged as a legitimate ace last season, winning 15 games and posting a 3.39 ERA. But he missed nearly a month with a strained elbow, and after an injury-plagued minor league career, he's still trying to prove he can stay healthy for a full season.
PROJECTED BULLPEN:
RHP Brad Lidge (closer)
RHP Tom Gordon
LHP J.C. Romero
RHP Ryan Madson
RHP Chad Durbin
RHPs Scott Mathieson, Francisco Rosario, Clay Condrey or J.D. Durbin
LHPs Fabio Castro, LHP Mike Zagurski or Travis Blackley
Health may be the bullpen's biggest concern. Gordon, the 40-year-old setup man, is pitching with a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder. Madson is returning from a strained shoulder that ended his season last July. Lidge underwent knee surgery to repair a cartilage problem in October, and then he hurt the same knee while throwing a pitch on Feb. 23. At least two jobs are available in the bullpen. The Phillies hope hard-throwing Mathieson is ready to resume pitching after Tommy John elbow surgery sidelined him last season. Rosario had a strong season in the Dominican Winter League, while Condrey and Durbin had their good moments last season.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1. SS Jimmy Rollins
2. CF Shane Victorino
3. 2B Chase Utley
4. 1B Ryan Howard
5. LF Pat Burrell
6. RF Geoff Jenkins
7. 3B Pedro Feliz
8. C Carlos Ruiz
The Phillies led the NL with 892 runs last season, and with Rollins, Utley and Howard returning, they see no reason they can't duplicate that feat. Burrell's performance bears watching. He'll be protecting Howard in the middle of the lineup, and with free agency looming after the season, he'll be playing for a new contract. It won't be easy to replace departed free agent CF Aaron Rowand, but the Phillies believe Jenkins and Feliz will give them power near the bottom of the lineup.
PROJECTED RESERVES:
C Chris Coste
INF Eric Bruntlett
OF Jayson Werth
OF So Taguchi
INF/OF Greg Dobbs or 3B Wes Helms
Werth, who batted .329 over the season's final two months, will get his share of starts in right field when the Phillies face left-handed pitching. Taguchi is expected to be a late-game defensive replacement for Burrell in left field, but he also led the NL in pinch-hitting last season. By signing Feliz in January, the Phillies relegated Dobbs to a bench role. They'll also be shopping Helms during spring training, dangling him a trade bait to help land more pitching. Interest in Helms has been lukewarm, although the Marlins inquired about him during the winter meetings in December.
TOP ROOKIES:
RHP Scott Mathieson could have the greatest impact, assuming his elbow is healthy after a setback from Tommy John surgery last season. But Mathieson missed all of 2007 and may need to open the season in the minors. RHP Joe Bisenius and LHP J.A. Happ suffered injury setbacks last season in the minors. But they're expected to be healthy for spring training, and a good showing could increase their chances to make the team or receive a call-up during the season. The only position player likely to make an impact is C Jason Jaramillo (.271, six homers, 56 RBIs at Class AAA Ottawa last season), although it would take an injury to Carlos Ruiz or Chris Coste to open a roster spot.
MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Brad Lidge (arthroscopic right knee surgery on Feb. 25) is expected to miss three to six weeks. … RHP Scott Mathieson (Tommy John surgery in September 2006) felt a pull in his elbow during a side session before spring training. He saw Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles, and it was determined that he doesn't need surgery. Mathieson likely won't start the season on time. … RHP Kris Benson (right rotator cuff surgery in March 2007) said he expects to make an impact before the All-Star break.

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WASHINGTON NATIONALS
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Following a surprisingly successful season for a team that was supposed to lose at least 100 games, the Nationals made a flurry of roster moves, hoping to continue their upward trend in their new ballpark. A couple of talented young outfielders (Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes) join several key veteran acquisitions (Paul Lo Duca, Aaron Boone, Rob Mackowiak, Johnny Estrada) to give Washington a new-look team in 2008.
Pitching will once again be a key area of focus, with several starters coming back from injury. There are also a couple of potentially big position battles: at first base, where a healthy Nick Johnson will challenge Dmitri Young, and in the middle infield, where Felipe Lopez will try to beat out either Cristian Guzman or Ronnie Belliard for a starting job.
ARRIVALS: OF Lastings Milledge (trade with Mets), OF Elijah Dukes (trade with Rays), RHP Tyler Clippard (trade with Yankees), INF Aaron Boone (free agent from Marlins), C Paul Lo Duca and C Johnny Estrada (free agents from Mets), OF/INF Rob Mackowiak (free agent from Padres), OF/INF Willie Harris and INF Pete Orr (free agents from Braves), LHP Ray King (free agent from Brewers), LHP Odalis Perez (free agent from Royals), 2B Bret Boone (minor league free agent, out of baseball last year).
DEPARTURES: C Brian Schneider and OF Ryan Church (traded to Mets), RHP Jonathan Albaladejo (traded to Yankees), 1B/C Robert Fick (free agent to Padres), INF D'Angelo Jimenez (free agent to Cardinals), RHP Enrique Gonzalez (waivers to Padres).
PROJECTED ROTATION:
1. RHP Shawn Hill
2. RHP John Patterson
3. RHP Jason Bergmann
4. LHP Matt Chico
5. LHP John Lannan
The top three guys are assured of spots, provided they are healthy, a concern in each case. Hill is coming off surgery on both his right elbow and left shoulder. Patterson has battled nerve problems in his throwing arm the last two seasons. Bergmann missed time in 2007 with elbow and hamstring injuries. All, though, say they are fully healthy heading into spring training. The final two spots in the rotation will be up for grabs this spring, though Chico and Lannan may have the leg up at the outset following strong rookie performances in 2007. Other candidates include veterans Tim Redding and Odalis Perez and prospects Collin Balester, Garrett Mock, Tyler Clippard, Ross Detwiler and Joel Hanrahan.
PROJECTED BULLPEN:
RHP Chad Cordero (closer)
RHP Jon Rauch
RHP Luis Ayala
RHP Saul Rivera
LHP Ray King
RHP Jesus Colome
RHP Chris Schroder
The club's biggest strength for three years now, Washington's relief corps is deep and talented. Cordero has established himself as one of the best young closers in the game, though he'll be looking to bounce back from a mediocre 2007. Workhorse right-handers Rauch and Rivera return as setup men, joined by Ayala (who is fully recovered from his 2006 elbow surgery). Veteran lefty King returns on a minor league contract but is all-but-assured of a roster spot come Opening Day. The Nationals don't have any true long relievers in the mix, but both Colome and Schroder are capable of going multiple innings. Veteran LHP Mike Bacsik also could fill that role if he makes the team.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1. SS Cristian Guzman
2. CF Lastings Milledge
3. 3B Ryan Zimmerman
4. 1B Dmitri Young
5. RF Austin Kearns
6. LF Wily Mo Pena
7. C Paul Lo Duca
8. 2B Ronnie Belliard
This appears to be a significantly upgraded group from 2007, there are still major questions at the top of the order. Guzman was outstanding hitting leadoff for a brief period last season before injuring his thumb, but his track record does not include a high on-base percentage. Felipe Lopez, who could beat out either Guzman for the starting shortstop job or Belliard for the starting second base job, is another possible leadoff hitter. The other big spring training battle could come at first base, with Nick Johnson attempting to finally return from the broken leg that forced him to miss the entire 2007 season. If Johnson is healthy, the Nationals will have a tough decision to make with him and Dmitri Young, the club's lone All-Star last year.
PROJECTED RESERVES:
C Johnny Estrada
INF Felipe Lopez
INF Aaron Boone
INF/OF Rob Mackowiak
OF/INF Willie Harris
OF Elijah Dukes or OF Ryan Langerhans
The Nationals made a concerted effort to improve their bench by signing veterans Estrada, Boone, Mackowiak and Harris. It's still not certain how a couple other reserve roles will be filled. Lopez can play both second base and shortstop, but he may beat out Guzman or Belliard for either starting job. The talented-but-troubled Dukes could win a reserve outfield spot, but the club may decide he's better off at Class AAA Columbus to open the season, in which case Langerhans could make the club. Washington selected two players in the Rule 5 draft (1B/3B Matt Whitney from the Indians and OF Garrett Guzman), but each faces a difficult challenge trying to crack the roster.
TOP ROOKIES:
RHP Collin Balester has been the organization's top pitching prospect for two seasons, and though his 2007 numbers at Class AA Harrisburg and Class AAA Columbus (4-10, 3.89 ERA) weren't overwhelming, he will have a shot at making the Opening Day rotation. Also in that mix is RHP Garrett Mock, the other piece acquired from the Diamondbacks (along with LHP Matt Chico) in the 2006 trade of RHP Livan Hernandez. Mock went 1-5 with a 5.79 ERA at Harrisburg.
MEDICAL WATCH: INF/OF Rob Mackowiak (double sports hernia surgery) is taking it slow. ... C Paul Lo Duca (arthroscopic left knee surgery in January 2008) will begin workouts in mid-March. ... RHP Shawn Hill (forearm tightness after undergoing right forearm surgery in September 2007, left shoulder surgery in October 2007) was told by the team to rest, but he wanted to get a second opinion. ... RHP Ryan Wagner (right shoulder surgery in June 2007) is throwing but not expected to be ready to start the season. ... C Johnny Estrada (arthroscopic right elbow surgery in October 2007) was shut down from throwing indefinitely early in camp due to tendinitis in the elbow.