View The MLB Cappers Leaderboard For 2009 \u00a0– Picks Packages for 2010 On Sale Now! \u2014\u2013><\/strong><\/p>\n Maybe, just maybe, there\u2019s a light at the end of the tunnel for one of baseball\u2019s sorriest franchises.<\/p>\n In Stephen Strasburg, the Washington Nationals arguably drafted the most hyped prospect of the last decade. Armed with a blazing arsenal of pitches that would make Nolan Ryan proud, he\u2019s expected to take the majors by storm as soon as he gets the callup.<\/p>\n But there\u2019s still a problem or two for Washington to sort out. First off, Strasburg is just 21 years old. The Nats don\u2019t have to rush him. Second, even if he makes the team out of spring training, even if he flourishes immediately, he only pitches every five days and he won\u2019t score runs on his own. In other words, Washington still has to rely on the rest of its roster \u2013 and it isn\u2019t very good.<\/p>\n Washington\u2019s ERA was a National League-worst 5.00 in 2009 and, even with Strasburg possibly in tow, that problem won\u2019t be remedied overnight. New arrival Jason Marquis is, if nothing else, a rabbit\u2019s foot; amazingly, he\u2019s pitched in the playoffs for 10 straight seasons. But, as his 4.48 career ERA suggests, his \u201csuccess\u201d was more the product of playing on juggernauts than anything else. Expect his streak to end this season. The rest of Washington\u2019s rotation is more of the same \u2013 innings eaters like John Lannan who won\u2019t blow too many games for the team but won\u2019t overpower opponents either. Washington\u2019s pen is high on experience but seems like a motley crew of formerly effective arms that have fallen on hard times. Eddie Guardado, Matt Capps, Brian Bruney, and so on \u2013 all have handled closing duties in the past but their best days are behind them.<\/p>\n Washington\u2019s offense is full of holes but at least has a few legitimately reliable contributors. \u201cWill he or won\u2019t he?\u201d Scouts asked that question about Ryan Zimmerman\u2019s potential to break out over the last few years, and he more than answered with a big \u201cyes\u201d last year. He exploded for 33 homers, 106 RBI and 110 runs last year and has proven he can be the offensive centerpiece of a major-league club. Also there to chip in his underrated offense is Adam Dunn, who ended a streak of five straight 40-homer seasons with 38 dingers last year. Pretty impressive considering the company he had to keep in Washington last season.<\/p>\n Unless you count late bloomer Nyjer Morgan atop the order, the Nats don\u2019t have many more reliable run-producers. Ian Desmond probably isn\u2019t ready yet and Elijah Dukes, while he has outstanding natural ability, can\u2019t conquer the space between his ears. Vets like Cristian Guzman, Josh Willingham and Adam Kennedy will at least ensure Washington\u2019s lineup doesn\u2019t embarrass itself on a nightly basis.<\/p>\n Chins up, Nationals fans \u2013 if you\u2019re out there. Washington is in fact turning over a new leaf; if and when Strasburg takes the mound, we\u2019ll all have reason to watch. However, even if the kid becomes Doc Gooden in his rookie season, no one \u2013 bettors included \u2013 should confuse the 2010 Washington Nationals with a competitive baseball team. These guys ended 2009 with seven straight wins \u2013 and still lost 103 games.<\/p>\nMLB Team Preview \u2013 Washington Nationals<\/h3>\n
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