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As the Washington Nationals head into their eighth season, they finally have something to get excited about.
What started last off-season by signing Jason Werth, the ownership has continued that they want this team wants to contend now.
The franchise’s best divisional finish was in 2011, as they placed third place in the NL East with an 80-81 record just a game short of .500. The Nats did go 81-81 in 2005, but that was only good enough for last place that season.
Even though the Nationals have brought little success, the organization seems to be headed in the right direction but is it enough for the team to compete in 2012? Or is it another season of continual rebuilding?
THE POSITIVES:
Being the worst is finally paying-off…. Since becoming the Nationals in 2005, the team has been the literal bottom feeders of the NL East, until finishing in third last season. From 2008-2010 the team only won a combined 187 games, which did give the Nationals a lot first round draft picks and now the results are starting to emerge.
The Nationals starting rotation has much improved by trading for Gio Gonzalez and signing Edwin Jackson in addition to Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman.
Gonzalez is coming off a great 2011 with the Oakland Athletics, as he went 16-12, with a 3.12 ERA and those numbers should get better coming from the AL. As for Jackson, who inked a one-year deal with the Nationals, is presumably hoping to hit the free agent market again following 2012, so expect him to want to perform as best he can. Last season he went 12-9 splitting time between the White Sox and the Cardinals, and pitched just shy of 200 innings.
The Nationals bullpen was already good with duo Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen but they went out and solidified it by signing now ex-Phillies closer Brad Lidge. This should pose for few problems at the end of the games, and having a solid group of relievers is so vital for a team down the stretch; and especially since it takes pressure off the starters a bit, which the Nats can benefit from.
THE NEGATIVES: Continue reading ‘2012 MLB Team Preview: Washington Nationals’ »










