2012 MLB Free Agency: 5 Players the Nationals Should Target

In 2011, the Nationals proved they are not pushovers. With a solid young pitching staff and a knack for walk-off wins, Washington put themselves back on the map.

However, they finished the season just below .500, and there are some improvements General Manager Mike Rizzo needs to make in order to contend for the playoffs in 2012.

Only the dismal lineups of the Padres and Giants had worse on-base percentages and team batting averages. The Nats also struck out more than any team in the NL.

They need to sign an outfielder who can support Michael Morse, Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman in the lineup, and they need to dramatically improve their middle infield. 

Although the pitching staff is in decent shape, they could still use a top tier starter.

Here are five free agents the Nationals should target this winter.

St. Louis Cardinals SS Rafael Furcal

The Nationals need to upgrade at shortstop.

Ian Desmond just doesn't provide enough hitting to compensate for his poor fielding. In his two full seasons in Washington, Desmond has had a .303 on-base percentage and committed 57 errors.

Rafael Furcal is far superior at the plate and in the field. He would give the Nats a switch-hitter to help balance their lineup, and he also provides great speed and defense.

Since Washington doesn't have the kind of cash or attractiveness to lure Jimmy Rollins or Jose Reyes, Furcal is their best bet.

Texas Rangers P C.J. Wilson

Next to the world class arm of Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals have a bunch of decent pitchers.

They're good, but not great. They could use another All-Star hurler to follow Strasburg in the rotation.

No one in the free-agent market is as desirable as lefty C.J. Wilson. Wilson went 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA and 206 strikeouts in 2011. Most importantly, he knows how to pitch for a contender.

Wilson has the talent and the experience to help lead the Nationals' staff. They should go after the 30-year-old southpaw to bolster their roster.

San Francisco Giants OF Cody Ross

Washington's outfield needs to produce more at the plate, and Cody Ross is the kind of outfielder they should pursue.

Ross had a mediocre season in 2011, but it's hard to be a world-beater when there is no one to support you in the lineup. With Morse, Zimmerman and Werth next to him in the lineup, Ross could really flourish in Washington.

In 2008 and 2009, he had back-to-back 20-home run seasons, and the 2010 playoffs proved he's a clutch hitter. At 30 years old, Ross has plenty of pop left in his career.

St. Louis Cardinals P Edwin Jackson

If Washington whiffs at their attempt to land C.J. Wilson, they should set their sights on Edwin Jackson.

The 28-year-old right-hander has bounced around the big leagues lately, pitching for five teams in the last four years. He's posted double-digit wins each of those seasons, despite being on lousy clubs most of the time.

Although he gives up an average of 9.6 hits per nine innings for his career, he is good at damage control. He rarely gives up home runs and issues very few outs. 

He would fit in quite suitably as a third or fourth starter in Washington's rotation.

Pittsburgh Pirates OF Ryan Ludwick

Ryan Ludwick isn't a top-shelf commodity, but the Nats need to strengthen the depth of their outfield.

It wasn't long ago that he drove in 113 runs in 2008 and 97 in 2009 for the Cardinals. Recently he played for San Diego and Pittsburgh, and his numbers were down the past two seasons.

He would surely rather hit in a lineup like Washington's. 

Ludwick is due to bounce back into All-Star form in 2012, and the Nationals could acquire him for a very reasonable price.