Five More Questions for the Washington Nationals 2009 Season

Clap if you think that Nationals are going to compete for a playoff spot near year...

OK, then. 

The Nationals need to start thinking about their future. Nationals fans don't wants their team to feign effort. The way to get the DC fan-base enthusiasm going is to show them that we WILL compete, eventually.

Everyone was excited about the Rays last season. I was excited about the Rays last season, but lest we forget this team had 10 losing seasons before last year's miracle. The Nats need to start show casing what little young talent they have, and finding any players the Baseball America's of the world missed.

With that in mind, here are my five burning questions going into the season...

1.  Will they play the kids?

When I said feign effort here's what I meant.  The following players got more than 50 AB's and are either over 30 or don't fit into a rebuilding effort: Christian Guzman, Willie Harris, Ronnie Belliard, Aaron Boone, Dimitri Young and Paul Lo Duca. 

The following pitchers got at least 50IP: Odalis Perez, Jesus Colome, Tim Redding. 

Why?  It's a simple question.  Most of these players were terrible, with a couple of exceptions.  Young cheap farm-system players can suck just like older veteran players can suck. 

I've never been one to believe in "clubhouse guys" making a big difference, especially on terrible teams.  Let the kids play, it literally could not be worse.

2.  Will they trade everything not nailed down or named Jordan Zimmerman?

This team signed silly deals with Dimitri Young and stubbornly refused to trade players like Chad Cordero when they had the chance, how'd that work out?  Look if it were me, anyone would be available, including Ryan Zimmerman. 

Zim's been the best player on this team, but really that's not saying much. After his stellar rookie year his OPS+ (a stat that is park adjusted, one that I use to help compare players) is roughly league average.  He does play outstanding defense, but still his value on the market is probably much higher than that of the team. 

Baseball America has this farm system ranked about 22nd and I've seen it as low as 29th.  This team needs a flood of talent that will be Major league ready at roughly the same time. 

Veteran players on this team have little long-term value to this team.  If the Nats can trade them for prospects it can rebuild it's farm system much more quickly.

3.  Will this team draft Steven Strasburg?

I know this isn't a regular season question per se, but this is paramount none-the-less.  Scott "the devil" Boras is going to ask for a huge Mark Prior like Major League deal.  He's going to get it from someone, will it be the Nats?

This kid has HUGE potential.  If you haven't heard he's been clock in triple digits (101) and has great breaking stuff.  He's getting a lot of Mark Prior comparisons (the good kind) and he's really exciting to watch. Click Here to view highlights of his 23-strikeout game. 

This is the type of player that can energize a fan base immediately.

4.  Will Jim Bowden still be the GM of this team?

There is a growing sentiment that Jim Bowden is public enemy No. 1.

This guy really thinks so.  With obvious bad contracts, inability to sign first round picks, poor drafting, shady activities with international scouts, and overall bad management; this stewardship has been a disaster. 

Down the parkway in Baltimore, Andy McPhail has done a great job of building his farm system, acquiring assets and overall improving the outlook on the Orioles. Fans in DC and looking for the same, soon they may be out-right demanding it.

5.  Will the young players improve?

Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, Jesus Flores and others began to show some real promise last year.  Elijah Dukes especially had an OPS+ of 154 (roughly 54% better than league average) in the second half of last season.

Milledge had a .299/.355/.448 split in the second half last year which is very respectable for a center fielder.

In this first half of last year Flores had a .759 OPS and played great defense.  In the league today that makes for a rock-solid catcher.

While the farm system might be bleak, there's lots of young talent standing in Nationals Park right now.  If this talent continues to improve it should help give hope to fans until the reinforcements arrive.