Word of Justice

Baseball is back in the nation's capital for good. I know that because the Nationals are moving from rundown RFK over to a beautiful new ballpark a few miles away. That ballpark should produce enough revenues to spend some money, and if the Nationals are run right, they're going to be another cornerstone franchise.

As for this season, there's going to be an interesting mix. GM Jim Bowden isn't afraid to take a chance on guys who have had some, uh, issues elsewhere, such as outfielders Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes. Both are capable of being special players, but they also could embarrass the franchise. Catcher Paul Lo Duca, fresh off an appearance in the Mitchell Report, is now a Nat, too.

Right-hander John Patterson is being counted on for a breakthrough season, and the Nationals have a dozen other pitchers competing for the other four spots in the rotation.

-- Richard Justice

Numbers Game

123 - Home runs hit by the Nationals last season. They were dead last in the National League in the category. Two factors led to that: Washington didn't have a very good team last year and RFK Stadium was notorious for suppressing the long ball. That should change this season as the Nats move into a new ballpark on the banks of the Anacostia River.

13 - Pitchers who started a game for the Nationals last season. A dozen of them started at least five games for the club. Their rotation will likely be in just as much flux this year as it was last year. Washington has some excellent pitching prospects on the horizon, but for now, it's going to be a hodgepodge of oft-injured or just plain below-average hurlers starting games.

305 1/3 - Innings pitched by Chad Cordero over the last four seasons. Cordero probably falls outside the top tier of closers in the majors, but he's not far off because he's been so durable.

-- Andrew Johnson

Fantasy Spin

Wouldn't it be fun if every team was full of fantasy studs? Actually, no it wouldn't be. If that was the case, every owner would have a stacked lineup. Thankfully, there are teams like the Nationals to balance things out. Aside from Ryan Zimmerman, who is a top-10 third baseman worth grabbing early, their entire roster is full of uncertainty. I like drafting sleepers from teams like the Nats. Why? Because you can grab them extremely late in the draft, and if they pan out, you've made a coup. Here are Washington's basement bargains this year:

Lastings Milledge - The jettisoned Mets prospect has looked sharp early in spring training, and the Natty-Bos are giving him every shot at locking down the center field gig. Don't be surprised if he breaks through for 15-20 homers and 10 steals.

Nick Johnson - Yeah, remember this guy? Johnson missed his entire 2007 season with a broken leg. He hasn't played in a real game in 17 months, long enough for most people to forget he exists. But when healthy, Johnson is a very solid option at first base who will give you 20-25 homers and a high average.

Shawn Hill - There's a possibility that John Patterson scrapes his way back to be the opening day hurler, but this is the only Nats starter you want right now. Hill posted impressive numbers over 16 starts last year -- 3.42 ERA, 1.14 WHIP. His ability to induce grounders is what drives his consistency.

Wily Mo Peña - Every year, someone predicts that Big Ol' Wily Mo will hit 40 home runs. Last year? He came close for the Nats ... in the strikeout department (36). Still, if they give him over 400 at-bats this season, expect him to reach 30 homers easily, with an unsightly average.

Chad Cordero - Even bad teams rack up save opportunities. Cordero has averaged 37.6 saves over his last three seasons. He definitely won't cost as much as other big-name closers.

-- Tom Herrera

FanHouse Video

-- Jon Bois

Preview Poetry

Tripleus Doubleus
Ryan M. Zimmerman
Reaches with leather to
Stop the ball's flight

Owner Ted Lerner says,
Characteristic'ly,
"Signing him long-term now
Just won't be right."

-- Mullet/Chris Needham, FanHouse