New Park, New Results?

Washington Nationals 2007 Record: 73-89 (4th in NL East)
2008 Prediction: 4th in NL East


In

• Paul LoDuca (NYM) - signed to a 1 year, $5 million contract - 12/11/07
  
• Lastings Milledge (NYM) - acquired for Brian Schneider and Ryan Chruch - 11/30/07
  
• Willie Harris (ATL) - signed to a 1 year, $800,000 contract - 12/13/07
  
• Elijah Dukes (TAM) - acquired for Glenn Gibson - 12/3/07
  
• Tyler Clippard (NYY) - acquired for Jonathan Albaladejo - 12/5/07
  
• Aaron Boone (FLA) - signed to a 1 year, $1 million contract - 12/6/07
  
• Rob Mackowiak (SD) - signed to a 1 year, $1.5 million contract - 12/13/07
  
• Chad Moeller (LAD) - signed to a minor league contract - 11/27/07
  
• Pete Orr (ATL) - signed to a minor league contract - 12/15/07
  
• Ray King (MIL) - signed to a minor league contract - 11/30/07
  
• Johnny Estrada (NYM) - signed to a 1 year, $1.25 million contract - 1/31/08
  

Out

• Brian Schneider, Ryan Church (NYM) - traded for Lastings Milledge - 11/30/07
  
• D'Angelo Jimenez (STL) - signed to a minor league contract - 12/18/07
  
• Micah Bowie (COL) - signed to a minor league contract - 12/21/07
  
• Billy Traber (NYY) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/15/08
  

Remaining Free Agents

• Nook Logan
  
• Tony Batista
  
• Jason Simontacchi

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - Paul LoDuca/Johnny Estrada
1B - Nick Johnson
2B - Ronnie Belliard
3B - Ryan Zimmerman
SS - Felipe Lopez
LF - Wily Mo Pena
CF - Lastings Milledge
RF - Austin Kearns

Projected Opening Day Rotation
John Patterson
Shawn Hill
Matt Chico
Tim Redding
Jason Bergmann/Mike Bacsik

Projected Opening Day Closer
Chad Cordero

Improvements: LoDuca will give the Nats some more firepower in the lineup, without taking away too much defense from the departed Brian Schneider. And while he is recooperating from knee surgery, switch-hitting Estrada will also provide some offense for the Nationals. LoDuca is expected to miss up to 6 weeks, and right now, it's anyone's guess who will be the regular catcher once he returns. Milledge has all the potential in the world to be a top-class center fielder, and will receive much more playing time than he would in the Mets' crowded outfield.
Lack of improvements: The main problem the Nats are going to face is their rotation. In '07, Matt Chico received the most starts of anyone in the rotation, and managed a 7-9 record with a less-than-respectable 4.63 ERA. Shawn Hill and John Patterson are both capable of performing well for the team - but both have been on the DL more times than not over their careers. The Nationals might have been better off trying to focus on the rotation, rather than the offense.
Keys to sucess: LoDuca will have to be able to handle a very young and inexperienced pitching rotation, and try to keep his temper down (and his knee from giving out). He (and Milledge) are familiar with Nats' manager Manny Acta, as he was a coach with the Mets in 2006, so that will help. Also, Johnson, Hill and Patterson have to be healthy for the Nats to have any chance of contention in a tough NL East division.