Nats begin house cleaning

This off-season, in my opinion, is critical for the Washington Nationals ownership.  Nationals fans had to endure some pretty horrible baseball in Washington, DC this season, and it has certainly crippled the franchise in trying to expand a small baseball fan base.  The Redskins, Wizards, and Capitals have proven that Washingtonians, Marylanders, and Virginians will come out and support DC franchises, but you have to put a credible product in front of them.  The Nationals have yet to do that. 

This off-season will be vital for the Lerner's as owners to prove to a struggling fan base that they are committed to building a quality franchise.  Enduring another horrible season could inflict serious harm on any of the Lerner's good will they may have as relatively new franchise owners.  

Free agency will be fun to watch as the Lerner's have expressed the desire to spend on some pitching.  The Nationals need at least two solid veteran starters to join John Lannan and possibly 2009 first round pick Stephen Strasburg.  They also need to to rebuild the bullpen.  One thing the Nationals had this season was offense;  one thing they did not have was ptiching.  Let's wait and see.  Let's see if the Lerner's are different than the Redskins Dan Snyder.  Nationals need ptiching, will the Lerner's deliver?  Redskins need offensive line, Snyder DOES NOT deliver. 

The Nationals have begun the process of attempting to rejuvenate and change the franchise.  The Nationals terminated Jose Cardenal as special assistnt to the GM.  He was a hold over of the Jim Bowden era.  GM Mike Rizzo has begun the process of building the franchise his way.   Earlier in September, Rizzo hired Bobby Williams to lead the Nationals farm system, his first stamp on the franchise since being named permanenet GM.

Nats free agents . . .  Here is a list of current Washington Nationals who will become free agents this off-season.   

1B Dmitri Young:  This one is a given.  There is no way Young is resigned.  I dont even know if Young will sign with anyone. 

OF Austin Kearns:  The Nationals will be free of Kearns big salary and lack of production.  Kearns became known as the guy with a ton of potential, at least according to former GM Jim Bowden.  Every year.  But the potential never materialized.  Nats will be glad to move on.  

P Livan Hernandez:  The Nats signed Hernandez late in the season to eat up some valuable innings because of young arms hitting innings limits.  Livan would love to return to Washington.  Washington may be interested.  However, much will depend on what Washington can do in the overall free agency market.

We'll keep an eye out here at DCPSR on the Nationals off-season and the coming Arizona fall League 

Arizona Fall League . . .We will keep an eye on the Arizona Fall League that kicks off next week.  In the AFLfor the Nationals are first round picks Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen,   Jeff Mandel, Josh Wilkie, Derek Norris, Danny Espinosa, and Chris Marrero all playing for Phoenix. 

Norris will likely miss the AFL though because of surgery.

"Meanwhile, top catching prospect Derek Norris also will have surgery Thursday in Baltimore to remove a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. The injury occurred this week while Norris was working out at the Florida instructional league, and it will sideline him until at least December (preventing him from participating in the Arizona Fall League"

http://dcprosportsreport.com/2009/10/nats-begin-house-cleaning.html