Decisions, Decisions

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2008 Nationals Season Preview

The Washington Post's Barry Svrluga outlines the major storylines and position battles in spring training for the Washington Nationals.

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Besides, Dukes has to prove he's a reformed character -- not for days or weeks but for at least a whole season. "Once we are completely sure that Elijah is here for good, then you can make decisions. He's clear on that," Acta said. "Being up here [not the minors] is the best environment for him to get turned around. He's surrounded by real blue collar, down-to-earth people. Everything's got to be earned. He knows. Alex Escobar and Ryan Langerhans are in the picture, too. [Elijah's] not out there by himself."

Acta's basic principle is to sit back and watch, not prejudge. "They decide for us. Guys tell us what to do with them," Acta said. For example, Johnson arrived in camp in the best shape of his career, looking like he got transplanted into the body of a guy who suddenly hated In-N-Out Burger. On Monday, he stretched a single into a double, slid into second base and got high-fives from the whole dugout. From Sept. 23, 2006, when he broke his leg, until March 2, 2007, he never slid. Now, he's hit the dirt two days in a row. Meanwhile, Young has returned with much the same physique as '06, is injured and will never approach Johnson defensively. Everybody loves Dmitri, but he may be a $5 million switch-hitting pinch hitter.

In such seasons of competition, organizations have their preferences about who, in their dreams, they'd prefer to see emerge. All other factors, like contract situation, being equal, the younger player with more tools is always preferred. Such a player can fill a key role for many years -- one less major problem to solve. So, the Nats want the speedy L¿pez, 27, to bounce back from his .245 season, even though they respect Belliard, the pudgy 32-year-old professional hitter. This one will be a tough call because Belliard actually has better career offensive numbers and, while not fast, is slick and smart at second base.

"It's a real issue. Being young and talented is great, but you still have to perform," Acta said. "I don't have a problem with a guy like Belliard" starting.

As for the musical chairs pitching rotation, Acta does not mince words. "After what they did last year, [Tim] Redding and [Matt] Chico are in the rotation. Chico would have to pitch himself out of it," Acta said. Lefty Odalis P¿rez, because of his decent if unspectacular career -- 66-70 with a 4.47 ERA -- is assumed to be in the rotation, too. But things can get tangled.

Bergmann was almost unhittable before a midseason injury, but never returned to that form. "Which one is he? I'd be happy with a guy in between," Acta said. "I know he's not the last guy we saw." Lefty John Lannan, 23, who roared through four leagues in a year, went 14-5 combined and had six solid big league starts (4.15) is a factor, too.

"Lannan has moxie and command. He can hit the glove. He's another guy with a lot of fans here," Acta said. "We're not afraid to have him in our rotation if he forces his way into it. What wrong with him? But if [Shawn] Hill and [John] Patterson are both healthy, then maybe you can let Lannan develop some more in the minors.

Big league teams come in three varieties. The worst must search desperately for front-line players, as the Nats did last year. Those in the middle, aspiring to .500, have intense competition at many positions as they evolve. Champions yawn through the spring because on Opening Day their lineup will be Ellsbury, Pedroia, Ortiz, Ram¿rez, Lowell, Drew, Youkilis, Varitek and Lugo.

This March will be thrills and chills for many Nats. That's progress. But someday they'd like a boring spring. In baseball, the only thing better than finding answers to your questions is to have no questions at all.