MLB Free Agency: Predicting Washington Nationals Lineup If Prince Fielder Signs

Baseball fans across the country caught a glimpse of the excitement that is to come within the next few weeks. The Yankees and Mariners completed a blockbuster deal that swapped hitting prospect Jesus Montero for young pitcher Michael Pineda. A domino effect is sure to follow as there are only a few more weeks until pitchers and catchers report to camp. 

The biggest free agent that is still on the market is first baseman Prince Fielder. Whenever a player is represented by Scott Boras, you know negotiations are going to be dragged out until he hears exactly what he wants to hear. MLB.com reporter Bill Ladson reported that the Washington Nationals are still very much in the running for Fielder, even though they aren't willing to give him the monster contract that he and Boras may be looking for.

Buster Olney reported the type of contract that the Nationals could offer Fielder that would work out nicely for both sides. Prince will sign before spring training starts and if Washington is smart, they won't wait too long to try and lock him up.

The signing of Prince Fielder would improve a Washington lineup that already has a lot of young talent in it. Obviously Fielder would bring his power to the Nationals, a team that finished 17th in home runs last season. It would also create a lot of possibilities of where Fielder would hit and what the Nationals lineup would look like. Here's what I think the Nationals lineup will look like if they sign Prince Fielder.

1. Bryce Harper, RF

2011 Stats (Single-A & Double-A): .297/.392/.501, 17 HR, 58 RBI, 63 R

It shouldn't be too tough for the young outfielder to win a spot on the Opening Day roster. He continues to impress as he moves up the minor league ladder, finishing his 2011 campaign in Double-A. Even though Harper has yet to play a single game at the Triple-A level, spring training will be a great time for him to face big league arms. 

Harper is a five-tool player who could very well turn into a superstar within the next few seasons. Some question whether Washington should give him the call so early in his career, but it seems as if the Nationals are going for the division in 2012 and will do whatever they need to do in order to win. Harper's ability to get on base often, along with his speed, puts him atop the Washington lineup.

2. Danny Espinosa, 2B

2011 Stats: .236/.323/.414, 21 HR, 66 RBI, 72 R

Danny Espinosa played nearly every game last season (158) and proved to be one of the best defensive second basemen in baseball, ranking third in range factor per game at second base. Even though he primarily hit at the bottom of the lineup in 2011, his power puts him in the two-hole in 2012. His 21 home runs ranked tied for fourth among all second basemen last season.

Hitting behind Harper will give him the opportunity for a lot of hit-and-runs as well as sacrifice bunts. The Nationals had 82 sacrifice hits last season, fourth most in the majors. At just 24, Espinosa is just one of many young stars in the making for Washington.

3. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B

2011 Stats: .289/.355/.443, 12 HR, 49 RBI, 52 R

Ryan Zimmerman is the leader of this Washington ballclub even though injuries only allowed him to play in just over 100 games last season. In every full season that Zimmerman has played in he has averaged 25 home runs and 98 RBIs. With Prince Fielder hitting behind him, less pitchers will be able to pitch around Zimmerman like they have in the past. 

He has already won a Gold Glove at third base, as well as two Silver Slugger awards, and as long as Zimmerman can stay healthy, he should have an impressive 2012 season. Zimmerman has hit in the third hole for his entire career and will continue to do so even with the addition of Fielder.

4. Prince Fielder, 1B

2011 Stats (w/ MIL): .299/.415/.566, 38 HR, 120 RBI, 95 R

The signing of Prince Fielder would instantly make the Nationals legitimate contenders in the NL East. They have already bolstered their pitching staff and look to improve their young lineup. Fielder is coming off of a career year where he ranked second in home runs among all first basemen and led them in RBIs. Fielder is a tough player and was the only first baseman to play in every game last season.

Fielder has struggled in his career at Nationals Park, hitting .222/.328/.315 in 14 games. His numbers could improve since Miller Park (Milwaukee) has the 11th-most home runs hit in it while Nationals Park has the ninth most. He will no longer have Ryan Braun hitting in front of him but another Ryan [Zimmerman] could be just as good. 

5. Michael Morse, LF

2011 Stats: .303/.360/.550, 31 HR, 95 RBI, 73 R

Michael Morse erupted onto the scene in 2011, hitting over .300 and smashing more than 30 home runs in his first full season. He split his time between first base and the outfield, but the signing of Fielder would push him to left field full time.

He ranked in the top 10 in several hitting NL categories last season including batting average, slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging percentage, doubles, home runs, runs batted in and much more. His versatility enables him to be a solid No. 5 hitter in the Washington lineup. He will have plenty of opportunities to drive in Zimmerman and Fielder with them hitting in front of him.

6. Jayson Werth, CF

2011 Stats: .232/.330/.389, 20 HR, 58 RBI, 69 R

Werth was Washington's huge signing during the 2010 offseason, giving the outfielder a seven-year, $126 million deal. He was a huge disappointment for the Nationals last season, hitting .232 and just 20 home runs after hitting close to .300 and 27 home runs the year earlier with the Phillies.

If Werth isn't traded before the season starts, he will definitely be making a positional change from right field to center field, due to Harper making the team. He has played center field the least of the three outfield positions in his nine-year career but he should be able to pick it up easily. Werth hit third and fifth the most last season, but due to his power struggles, I'm moving him into the six spot where he can see more fastballs, hitting them at .291 last season.

7. Ian Desmond, SS

2011 Stats: .253/.298/.358, 8 HR, 49 RBI, 65 R

In Desmond's second full season in Washington he struggled a little compared to his rookie campaign in 2010. He is perfect for a middle of the lineup role with a combination of speed and the ability to hit. Despite committing 23 errors at shortstop, Desmond still turned the seventh-most double plays and had the ninth-best range factor.

Desmond could be a part of a spring training positional battle where if he struggles and Mark DeRosa does well, DeRosa could win the second base spot and Espinosa would move over the short. Desmond is still young, 26, and if he can improve defensively, could be a big piece of the future Washington Nationals.

8. Wilson Ramos, C

2011 Stats: .267/.334/.445, 15 HR, 52 RBI, 48 R

Ramos was a big surprise for Washington last year, finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting in the NL. Catching-wise he only allowed three passed balls, threw out 23 of 48 potential base stealers and had a 3.73 catchers earned run average (sixth-best in MLB).

At just 24 years old, Ramos could turn into one of the best catchers in the game and easily could move into the middle of the lineup within the next few years, or even 2012. Hitting 15 home runs as a rookie in the Washington lineup is pretty impressive, at least in my eyes, and could turn into a 20-plus HR guy. Managing the pitching staff will be a big part of the potential success of the 2012 Washington Nationals but Ramos should be able to handle it.

9. Pitcher

2011 Totals: .143/.172/.174, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 17 R

Pitchers aren't in the lineup to hit, everyone knows that. As long as they can lay down the bunt successfully and draw the occasional walk, they will be fine. Who knows, maybe somebody will hit one out of the park if they get lucky.

Bench

Mark DeRosa, UTL

In his second season with the San Francisco Giants, DeRosa hit .279/.351/.302 but went homer-less in 47 games. If he can impress the coaching staff in spring training, it wouldn't be shocking for him to win the second base job, pushing Espinosa to shortstop. Otherwise, he will be the first guy off the bench for pinch-hitting opportunities against left-handed pitching.

Jesus Flores, C

Primarily as the backup catcher last season in Washington, Flores appeared in 30 games and hit .209/.253/.314. He could be used as trade bait for the Nationals as Ramos could be the future catcher of the organization.

Roger Bernadina, OF

Used as the starting center fielder last season, Bernadina played in 91 games and hit .243/.301/.362 with seven home runs and 17 stolen bases. I expect him to lose the spring training battle to Bryce Harper for the Opening Day outfield spot. He should be kept on the roster as the fourth outfielder or he could be traded for bullpen help.

Adam LaRoche, 1B

LaRoche was the starting first baseman for some of 2011, but the signing of Fielder moves him to the bench. In 43 games last season, he hit .172/.288/.258 with only three home runs and 15 RBIs. He will be the first guy off the bench for pinch-hitting opportunities against right-handed pitching.