Glaken- I am going to go out and say well over 51. I dont think they are that bad with the likes of Vidro, nick the stick, guillen, wilkenson, guzman and the rotation is pretty decent with livan, alvarez, armas, ohka and day. Bullpen is the major weak link there but those guys have the ability to eat some innings. I think they could come close to the 67 they had last year. The major problem is the division they are in is improved, but 60 should be a lock.
Haven't seen the logo but as far as wins go you have to remember that this is not an expansion team. They are the old Expos who won 67 games last year. Depeneding on how much money they want to spend on middle of the pack or 2nd tier type free agents between now and opening day I could see them winning 60 games easily. Having a fan base won't hurt either. Frank Robinson is a veteran manager who should have the team competitive.
PROJECTED LINEUP
No. Player Position
1. Christian Guzman SS
2. Jose Vidro 2B
3. Brad Wilkerson CF
4. Jose Guillen RF
5. Vinnie Castilla 3B
6. Nick Johnson 1B
7. Terrmel Sledge LF
8. Brian Schneider C
PROJECTED ROTATION
--RHP Livan Hernandez is the unquestioned ace of the staff, if for no reason other than his remarkable durability. The veteran has pitched at least 199 2/3 innings in each of the last seven seasons and in 2004 led the majors in innings pitched (255) and complete games (nine).
--RHP Esteban Loaiza is hoping to resurrect his career after a disastrous 2004 season, split between the White Sox and Yankees. The Nationals took a chance on him, though, hoping he can regain his form from 2003, when he won 21 games and was AL Cy Young runner-up.
--RHP Tony Armas Jr. needs to prove his throwing shoulder is fully healed nearly two years after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum. If healthy, the 27-year-old has the stuff to be a 15- to 18-game winner.
--RHP Tomo Ohka has a solid career ERA of 3.92 but was the victim of a freak injury in 2004. A line drive broke his right arm, and he missed the season's final 85 games.
--RHP Zach Day is the least-heralded member of the pitching staff but has proved to be a solid starter in three major league seasons. The sinkerball specialist posted a 3.93 ERA last year but went just 5-10 because of the majors' worst run support.
DEPARTURES
RF Juan Rivera and SS Maicer Izturis (traded to Anaheim), RHP Rocky Biddle (released), OF Valentino Pascucci (sold to Chibba Lotte of the Japan League), C Einar Diaz (free agent to St. Louis), 3B Tony Batista (free agent to Japan).
ARRIVALS
RHP Esteban Loaiza (free agent from Yankees), OF Jose Guillen (trade with Anaheim), SS Cristian Guzman (free agent from Minnesota), 3B Vinny Castilla (free agent from Colorado), RHP Antonio Osuna (free agent from San Diego), 1B/OF Wil Cordero (free agent from Florida), C Gary Bennett (free agent from Milwaukee), OF J.J. Davis (trade with Pittsburgh), OF Tyrell Godwin (Rule 5 draft from Toronto), INF Tony Blanco (Rule 5 draft from Cincinnati), OF Jeffrey Hammonds (minor league free agent from San Francisco), 3B George Arias (minor league free agent from Japan), OF Alex Escobar (trade with White Sox).
wil.
PROJECTED LINEUP
No. Player Position
1. Christian Guzman SS
2. Jose Vidro 2B
3. Brad Wilkerson CF
4. Jose Guillen RF
5. Vinnie Castilla 3B
6. Nick Johnson 1B
7. Terrmel Sledge LF
8. Brian Schneider C
PROJECTED ROTATION
--RHP Livan Hernandez is the unquestioned ace of the staff, if for no reason other than his remarkable durability. The veteran has pitched at least 199 2/3 innings in each of the last seven seasons and in 2004 led the majors in innings pitched (255) and complete games (nine).
--RHP Esteban Loaiza is hoping to resurrect his career after a disastrous 2004 season, split between the White Sox and Yankees. The Nationals took a chance on him, though, hoping he can regain his form from 2003, when he won 21 games and was AL Cy Young runner-up.
--RHP Tony Armas Jr. needs to prove his throwing shoulder is fully healed nearly two years after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum. If healthy, the 27-year-old has the stuff to be a 15- to 18-game winner.
--RHP Tomo Ohka has a solid career ERA of 3.92 but was the victim of a freak injury in 2004. A line drive broke his right arm, and he missed the season's final 85 games.
--RHP Zach Day is the least-heralded member of the pitching staff but has proved to be a solid starter in three major league seasons. The sinkerball specialist posted a 3.93 ERA last year but went just 5-10 because of the majors' worst run support.
DEPARTURES
RF Juan Rivera and SS Maicer Izturis (traded to Anaheim), RHP Rocky Biddle (released), OF Valentino Pascucci (sold to Chibba Lotte of the Japan League), C Einar Diaz (free agent to St. Louis), 3B Tony Batista (free agent to Japan).
ARRIVALS
RHP Esteban Loaiza (free agent from Yankees), OF Jose Guillen (trade with Anaheim), SS Cristian Guzman (free agent from Minnesota), 3B Vinny Castilla (free agent from Colorado), RHP Antonio Osuna (free agent from San Diego), 1B/OF Wil Cordero (free agent from Florida), C Gary Bennett (free agent from Milwaukee), OF J.J. Davis (trade with Pittsburgh), OF Tyrell Godwin (Rule 5 draft from Toronto), INF Tony Blanco (Rule 5 draft from Cincinnati), OF Jeffrey Hammonds (minor league free agent from San Francisco), 3B George Arias (minor league free agent from Japan), OF Alex Escobar (trade with White Sox).
wil.
Last edited:
