2012 MLB Free Agents: Washington Nationals Primed To Make Offseason Splash

The Washington Nationals may not have been major players during the regular season, but they are about to play with the big boys during the offseason. 

Various rumors circling the mill have the Nationals eyeing some major talent from all corners of the nation. If you finish the season with 80 wins, you can either rest on your laurels or go for broke. 

It seems the Nationals are primed to get better or go broke trying. ESPN reports the Washington Nationals join the Philadelphia Phillies in the hunt to sign Jose Reyes. 

The Mets are still keen on keeping him, and the Phillies can't stand to miss a season without an injury-plagued shortstop. If they ditch Jimmy Rollins, Reyes is their man. 

The addition of Reyes to the Nationals cannot be dismissed, as they will offer as much as any other contender for his services. 

A CBS Sports report alleges the Nationals may be interested in adding pitching as well as big-time hitting. Evan Brunell writes: 

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A similar process [to the signing of Jayson Werth] could unfold this year, and the Nats could be in the thick of things again, having been linked to Wilson and possibly even going after Pujols or Fielder. 

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As you can see, the Nationals could be contenders in the matter of a couple moves. It is a bit lofty to think they will go after every single one of these names. But if they sign C.J. Wilson and another big bat, the rest of their team is that much better off. 

The rotation did a fine job this season, notching a 3.58 ERA, which was good for seventh in the league. And adding a bat like Fielder would make Jayson Werth that much more potent from a protection standpoint.

The Nationals can contend; they just need to dole out a big chunk of money. There is hope for Nats fans, as this club has proved they will spend money if they need to.