Washington Nationals: Early Winners and Losers from Offseason Shakeups

Things are starting to happen for the Washington Nationals this offseason. 

Washington finally named their new manager. Plus, they altered their pitching staff by parting ways with a starter and a reliever. Finally, two key contributors from last year's team have become the subject of intriguing rumors. 

But who comes out on top so far? And who drew the short straw? 

Here are the early winners and losers from the Washington Nationals' offseason shakeups. 

Note: All statistics courtesy of MLB.com unless noted otherwise. 

WINNER: Taylor Jordan, SP

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Dan Haren, the Nationals' fourth starter during the 2013 season, has been signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to The Los Angeles Times.

With Haren out of the picture, the fourth spot in the Nationals' starting rotation is Taylor Jordan's to lose. 

Jordan made nine starts for the Nats last season, compiling a 1-3 record and a 3.66 ERA in 51.2 innings. Jordan totaled 11 walks and 29 strikeouts with a .291 batting average against and a 1.35 WHIP. 

The 24-year-old rookie performed pretty well in the minor leagues, too. Jordan was named the Nationals' Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Jordan went 9-1 with a 1.00 ERA in 14 starts and 15 total appearances over 90.1 innings, including two complete games and two shutouts. He walked 15 and struck out 72 with a .208 batting average against and a 0.92 WHIP. 

In 2014, Jordan will have a chance to make an even bigger impact with the big club. But he's got to secure a spot in the rotation first. 

WINNER: Ian Krol, RP

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The Nationals recently traded one left-handed reliever when they shipped Fernando Abad to the Oakland Athletics for a minor league outfielder, according to ESPN.com. That means another left-handed reliever will benefit from the increased responsibility. 

Ian Krol will now be relied on more heavily by incoming manager Matt Williams and pitching coach Steve McCatty. 

In 2013, Krol appeared in 32 games for the Nats, finishing with a 2-1 record and a 3.95 ERA in 27.1 innings pitched. The 22-year-old Illinois native walked eight and struck out 22 with a .264 batting average against and a 1.32 WHIP. 

No matter what happens in 2014, Krol will not feel left out. He will be in the thick of the action for the Nationals bullpen. 

LOSER: Denard Span, CF

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Denard Span almost won the NL Gold Glove for center field in his first season in Washington, according to Dan Kolko of MASNSports.com. Span had a legitimate shot at winning the first Gold Glove of his career, as he was the only qualified NL center fielder to complete the season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. 

And yet, he finds himself the subject of trade rumors. 

On Nov. 9, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com wrote that "only a year after acquiring him, the Nationals appear willing to listen to trade inquiries on center fielder Denard Span, officials on other teams say." 

Span responded to the rumors in an interview with Bill Ladson of MLB.com published three days later: 

"

My first reaction was, "Here we go again." I dealt with trade rumors the last two years. It surprised me because I've been in Washington for one year. The guys in Washington have been trying to get me for a while, and to hear rumors this quick after one year is surprising. 

"

Very surprising indeed. Disappointing, even. 

LOSER: Anthony Rendon, 2B

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Just like Denard Span, Anthony Rendon finds himself at the center of an offseason rumor. And even if Rendon's rumor does not necessarily involve him being traded, it still involves a significant acquisition that would severely limit his playing time and perhaps even stunt his growth as a major league ballplayer. 

Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post wrote on Nov. 26 how the Nationals' hypothetical acquisition of New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano would affect Rendon: 

"

Cano is the best player available and would provide an immediate upgrade over Rendon for the next handful of seasons...The Nationals do not want to trade Rendon, and Mike Rizzo even went so far as to tell MLB.com that he will be a National in 2014. Still, the Nationals could flip Rendon for a young, controllable talent at other positions – like part of a package to acquire a starting pitcher. They could also ask Rendon to be a reserve for one season, then move him to third and shift Zimmerman across the diamond to first once LaRoche’s contract runs out. 

"

Rendon may find himself playing second fiddle at second base in his second season with the Nationals. 

BOTH: Randy Knorr

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Randy Knorr badly wanted to earn his first MLB managerial position with the Washington Nationals. He has been associated with franchise in some capacity since 2001, according to The Washington Post. 

Knorr did not get his wish, losing out to Matt Williams, according to the team's website. 

However, Knorr retains his post as the Nationals bench coach. That development is a definite win for Knorr, as he told Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post: 

"

If I don't have a managing job in the big leagues, there's not a job in baseball better than the bench coach for the Nationals. Matt's a good dude and everything. I have no problem working for him. 

"

First-time manager Williams will not feel lost as long as Knorr is on his bench.