(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Okay, the 2009 season is finally over.

Now what?

Although the Nationals’ 59-103 record was the worst in all of baseball—and for the second year in a row, no less—the surprising number of good things that happened this year will make the off-season a time for building, and not rebuilding.

Let’s take a look at the final statistics for the Nationals’ starting lineup and see who did, and didn’t, help the Nationals in 2009:

1B: Adam Dunn

.267-38-105 (.398 OBP, 175 strikeouts, 116 walks)

Dunn’s offensive numbers were far better than most of us projected them to be. With the exception of the last two weeks of the season, he was consistent and provided the big bat in the middle of the lineup that the Nationals so desperately needed.

Defensively, Dunn’s fielding average at first was .986, six points below the league average. That said, it was only three points below Nick Johnson’s, the man he replaced. He will never be a defensive standout, but he has shown he can be competent at first base.

And with his big bat, that’s all he really needs to be to help the Nationals.

2B: Alberto Gonzalez

.265-1-33 (.299 OBP)

Gonzalez is a placeholder at second base until a trade—or a free agent signing—brushes him aside.

His offensive numbers would certainly be good enough were it not for his abysmal on-base percentage and on-again, off-again defensive ability.

If the Nationals can upgrade second base with a proven major league infielder, Gonzalez should return to the bench, where he can be a valuable and versatile utility player.

If, however, Gonzalez is still in the running for a starting job come next spring, the Nationals are in for another very long season.

SS: Cristian Guzman

.284-6-52 (.306 slugging percentage)

Guzman’s .284 batting average is very solid for a shortstop. Sadly, it’s all downhill from there for the 31-year-old veteran. His .306 on-base percentage is terrible. Guzman’s slugging percentage dropped a full 50 points from last season to .390.

And defensively, Guzman, once a premier defender, committed 20 errors and had a fielding percentage 12 points lower than the league average.

In other words, he has no real value anymore. After watching Ian Desmond over the last few weeks of the season, Guzman’s flaws, once hidden by the apathy of the long and losing season, have become quite obvious.

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