I'll be joining host Greg DePalma at 5:00 pm today for opening day of "Nats Weekly", our Internet radio show for all things Nats.

We'll be discussing spring training, the upcoming season, Nats prospects, Stephen Strasburg...you name it.

Join us by calling in to 1-877-266-1909.  Call into listen, or ask a question and join in the dialog.

Here's a link to PrimeSportsNetwork.com for the direct link to the live radio feed.

The Nationals today sent J.D. Martin down to Triple-A, reducing the number of pitchers competing for the final spot in the rotation to two: Scott Olsen and Garrett Mock.

The spring training roster is down to 36.  Final cuts have to be made by Sunday evening.

Mock walked five yesterday in his latest appearance and was knocked around quite a bit, giving up seven hits and the five walks for six runs (five earned) over four and two-thirds innings. He struck out three.

Olsen is scheduled to start on Friday against Boston in his last chance to secure the roster spot. He was mildly effective in his last start, but still has not topped 86-87 MPH with his fastball. He may be "healthy", but also might not have enough arm strength built up to be a contributing member of a MLB rotation.

Today is the deadline the Nats have to release him or be on the hook for his entire 2010 salary of $1 million. So if the axe doesn't fall on Olsen today, he'll remain with the organization in some capacity.

A five-run fifth inning against two pitchers did the Washington Nationals in today as they lost another spring training game to the Florida Marlins, 9-5, at Roger Dean Stadium in Juptier, FL before 3,751.

Garrett Mock and Jason Bergmann allowed eight straight batters to reach in the decisive inning.  Bergmann allowed the first five batters he faced in the appearance to reach until he finally registered the last out of the inning.

Mock likely pitched his way of a rotation spot today.  All but assured of the No. 3 spot in the rotation as recently as last week, a poor outing against some Houston minor leaguers last week and today's bad performance might be enough to open the door for 86-MPH throwing Scott Olsen to sneak back in.

Bergmann didnt do himself any favors, either, giving up five hits while getting just one out.  His spring ERA is 6.23.

The Daily Guz:  Cristian Guzman had the opportunity twice today to prove to the organization that his surgically repaired right shoulder was sound, and he failed on both occasions.

He had a throw to the plate that was described as "weak" by the Florida announcing crew, and had another throw from the hole that didn't have enough gas to get Chris Coghlan out at first base.  Guzman also fumbled a grounder for his second scored error of the spring.

He also went 1-for-4, a run-scoring triple.  And he made his first appearance at second base, sliding over in the eighth inning when Eric Bruntlett came into the game.  He did not handle a chance at second.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

Winner:  Jesse English.  For a kid that's never pitched above Double-A, he might just make this team.  Another scoreless inning, striking out the side.  That's something the Nats just don't have a whole lot of, especailly in the pen.

Loser:  Bergmann.  He's looked terrible threeof his last four outings.  He's out of options, so he might be pitching for his job the next couple times out.

Winner:  Tyler Clippard.  Perfect inning.

Loser:  Garrett Mock.  4.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 3 K.  The walks, which he had avoided so weel so far this spring, really hurt him today.

Winner:  Mike Morse.  3-for-4 with two runs.

Loser:  Nyjer Morgan.  0-for-4, spring average at .235.

Winner:  Ryan Zimmerman.  1-for-3 with a double.

Loser:  Willy Taveras.  0-for-3 with a strikeout.

The decisions to waive Elijah Dukes, cut Jason Maxwell, and to start Ian Desmond at short and put Cristian Guzman on the bench has impacted the roster in a lot of different ways.  But one of the most intriguing to me is that it leaves the bench with absolutely no power to speak of.

Let's take a quick look at the construction of your 2010 Washington Nationals opening day roster.

The infield is set, with Adam Dunn, Adam Kennedy, Ian Desmond and Ryan Zimmerman.  The outfield will consist of Josh Willingham, Nyjer Morgan and Willie Harris, at least on opening day.  Ivan Rodriguez will be the catcher.

They will probably carry five players on the bench, giving them 13 hitters and 12 pitchers.

As it looks now, the bench will feature Wil Nieves, Cristian Guzman, Mike Morse, Roger Bernadina or Willy Taveras, and Alberto Gonzalez or Eric Bruntlett.

Yikes!  Where's the pinch-hitter with pop?

I guess that's going to come down to Morse, a 28-year old right-handed bat, with six career major league home runs in 352 at bats.  If we look back at his minor league track record, we see 66 homers in 2979 plate appearances, or one every 45 appearances.  That's not exactly tearing the cover off the ball.

Morse hit 16 in the minors last season split between Tacoma (SEA) and Syracuse.  That's the first time he's hit double digits since 2004 in Double-A.

And he's it.  Seriously.

Guzman has 66 career homers in 5017 at bats.  That's a homer every 76 at bats.

None of the rest have hit enough homers in their professional careers to bother even calculating the rates.

A very quick look around just the rest of the NL East shows us that just within the Nats' division the other teams have a source of power coming off the bench.

The Phillies have Ross Gload, Greg Dobbs or Ben Francisco (15 homers with CLE in 2009) in reserve.  The Marlins feature Wes Helms and Mike Lamb as pinch-hitters with a little pop.

The Braves can send up Matt Diaz (13 homers in 2009) or veteran Eric Hinske (113 career dingers).  Even the Mets have Mike Jacobs (19 homers in 2009) and Fernando Tatis they could turn to.

The Nats have Mike Morse and his six career home runs.  That's it.

So I was gone over the weekend.  Did I miss anything?

Of course I did.  Over the weekend, the Nats declared Ian Desmond the winner (sort of) of the starting shortstop job over incumbent Cristian Guzman, Justin Maxwell was sent to Triple-A, and the Nats re-opened a spot on the pitching staff we thought was previously closed.

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Let's start with the last idea above first.  Manager Jim Riggleman told reporters that John Lannan, Jason Marquis and Craig Stammen would start the first three games of the season.  With Livan Hernandez all but assured a spot, that leaves Garrett Mock, Scott Olsen and J.D. Martin in the running for the last spot.

Actually, they are probably fighting for the No. 4 spot, since Livo is on a minor league deal, he doesn't need to be activated until necessary, leaving a spot on both the active roster and the 40-man to another position player to start the season.

Anyway, a couple weeks ago Mock was penciled in at the No. 3, but all of the sudden, because Mock had some trouble in a minor league start and Olsen was semi-competent against a group of Florida Marlins, the spot is now up for grabs again.

Olsen has pitched 14.2 innings this spring.  He's surrendered 11 earned runs on 30 hits and a walk, striking out just six.

Olsen's given up more than two hits per inning.  His velocity hasn't been better than mid-80s.  He's due $1 million if he's in the organization on Wednesday.  These are all factors that should lead to his release, not inclusion in the pitching rotation.

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Justin Maxwell was demoted.  After the spring he's had (5-for 49), it's not shocking.  Of Maxwell, Riggleman said:

"I think that he's going to hit 25 home runs some day.  He's very aggressive on the bases. He's a guy who could hit 25 and steal 35. But he's just going to have to make more contact for that to really show itself. He knows he's going to do it. He's confident it's going to happen."

Nats fans need to take that with a grain of salt.  Maxwell had one minor league season (in 2007, split between low-A Hagerstown and high-A Potomac) where he put it all together to hit 27 homers and steal 35 on the nose.  But again, that was split between to A-level leagues, and he's always been advanced age-wise in the minors.

He's a career .257/.351/.442 in the minors.  He's 26.  The job was open.  He failed.

It leaves the right field situation in a great big mess.  Willie Harris is slated to play there opening day.  It's a position he's played exactly twice in a big league game.  Roger Bernadina, Willy Taveras and Mike Morse will probably all get looks there too.

Maxwell was the player the Nats hoped would win the job.  Now it's left up to three slap hitters and a corner infielder to man the spot.

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Finally, we get to the Great Shortstop Debate.

I wrote several times over the winter that the Nats should give the job to Desmond and let him sink or swim with it.  For a team like the Nats the decision should have been a no-brainer.  Desmond is 24, a six-year minor league veteran.  He blossomed last season after a couple of years toiling in the system. 

He showed in a September call-up that he wasn't going to be completely overmatched against big league pitching.  He has continued that into spring training, pacing the club in RBIs and getting on base consistently.

He posesses great athletic ability, speed, and acumen on defense.  He still has some issues on defense, though, and that gives the casual fan cause for concern.  It shouldn't.  Desmond has terrific range and a solid throwing arm, and he can work out his problems on the better fields of the major leagues.

Remember, the man that will stand 45 feet to Desmond's right on opening day had all sorts of throwing problems, clear up until the middle of the season last year.

Guzman is an old 32.  He has foot problems.  His on base percentage is terrible (zero walks this spring).  He has never had any power.  He's lost what speed he had at the beginning of his career.  His defensive range can be compared to a postage stamp.

To top it all off, off-season shoulder surgery has compromised his ability to make all the throws from his position.

All Guzman brings is an uncanny ability to get his bat on the ball; an empty batting average.

If Guzman wasn't due $8 million this year in the last of his reward contract given by former GM Jim Bowden, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.

 

But now, the team has decided to make Guzman, who has played no other position in a regular season game, a super-utility, getting at bats at short, second and possibly even first base.  Riggleman even hedged his bets on Desmond, stating: 

"Desmond isn't going to be a 600 at-bat shortstop for us, because Guzman is going to play a lot of shortstop.  Guzman will get some games at second. Basically, there will be some days where I decide I want the right-handed bat of Guzman in there against certain left-handers. [Adam]Kennedy will get a day off on those days."

How about having some confidence in the kid?  His manager is already planning for his failure. 

"[Desmond] may not be playing good in May, so Guzman may be our shortstop. To open the season, we're going to give Dessie a shot there to hold that position down. We hope that works."

The Nats made the right decision, even if Desmond fails.  The point is to play him and find out if he's going to be a piece of the future.  They KNOW Guzman isn't.  But in order for this experiment to work, the Nats HAVE TO have a long leash with Desmond.

If Riggleman manages this team with the idea of winning ballgames this season, and benches a slumping Desmond for any period of time, then it's a waste of time and energy. 

Fans want to see wins this season, I understand that.  But good fans have to understand that to break this string of failure, desperate measures must be taken.  Desmond must be given every opportunity to succeed.  Not just into May, or even the all-star break.  They have to let the kid play.

With spring training winding down, and a couple of position battles still playing out, several players are still trying to impress and get their names added to the list of players that will go north with the team.

Today, the Nats showed errorless defense, a come-from behind offense, and scoreless bullpen work to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-4, before 4,370 at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL.

The Nats are still undecided who will get the bulk of playing time in right field, but a couple of the candidates were in action--to mixed results.

And Cristian Guzman, being pushed by Ian Desmond at short, played in the first of back-to-back games.  If he plays Saturday, it will be the first time he's played in consecutive games this spring.

John Lannan was roughed up a little bit in the effort, allowing four runs on eight hits and three walks in five and two-thirds innings.

The team continued a trend of being victimized by the strikeout again today.  Cardinal pitchers whiffed nine hitters and the Nats drew only one walk.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

Winner:  Roger Bernadina.  He went 2-for-4 with a run, RBI and two stolen bases, giving him four SBs this spring.

Loser:  Willy Taveras.  0-for-4 with a strikeout.

Winner:  Willie Harris.  Although it's hard to understand why he played third base today when it seems like he's going to get the bulk of his playing time in right field (a position he's played exactly twice in his career for a total of 10 innings), he went 3-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Winners:  The bullpen.  Jason Bergmann, Tyler Clippard and Brian Bruney all pitched a scoreless inning.  Bergmann rebounded from a couple of rough outings to strike out two without giving up a hit or a walk.

The Washington Nationals brought Mike MacDougal, he of the 20 saves but 1.666 WHIP, back into the fold today, just a day after the Florida Marlins decided they couldn't live with all his walks.

What does that mean to the tenuous constitution of the bullpen?

Here's the guess:  they didn't bring him back to be the commissioner of their fantasy football league.  MacDougal, despite all his flaws, had success last season--he's the devil they know.

They brought in Tyler Walker on a major league contract, and he's been the worst reliever in camp.  Miguel Batista really isn't a short guy, and Matt Capps and Brian Bruney each have had their struggles this spring as well.

So, even though Big Mac is as wild as a spring breaker in Cancun, he's back in a Washington uniform.

The more things change...

The Washington Nationals rode three home runs from two of their veterans, got some decent pitching, and finished off the New York Mets 7-5 before a less than capacity crowd at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL.

Jason Marquis started for the Nats.  While not spectacular, he had his most solid apperance of the spring, allowing three earned on seven hits and a walk in four and two-third innings. He still has a ways to go before looking like the all-star he was lasat season.

Craig Stammen also pitched well in relief.  He went four innings and gave up two unearned runs on two hits and no walks, striking out four in the process.

Stammen was the victim of shoddy defense, as errors by Willie Taveras and Ian Desmond both led to runs.

WINNERS AND LOSERS:

Winner:  Craig Stammen.  Manager Jim Riggleman said before the game that four pitchers (Stammen, Scott Olsen, J.D. Martin and Livan Hernandez) were competing for the final two spots in the rotation, and Stammen did nothing to hurt his chances today.  The four Ks in four innings are a big plus.

Loser:  Cristian Guzman.  0-for-4 with three left on.  His spring average is .217. Running out of time to prove he's healthy.  At least he didn't have an error.

Winners:  Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Willingham.  Two pull hitters got the ball up intot he jet stream that was running out to left field today.  Zim went 2-for-3 with two runs, three RBIs and a homer, and Willingham homered twice and went 3-for-3 with two runs and three RBIs.

Loser:  Ian Desmond.  0-for-1 and another eroor on a fairly routine ground ball.  Giving them ammo for sending him down if Guz proves healthy.

Winner:  Adam Kennedy.  1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.

Loser:  Justin Maxwell.  The guy everyone wants to winthe RF job went 0-for-3, lowering his spring average to .103.  Losing ground every day.

The Washington Nationals pared their spring training roster by three this morning, sending RHP Shairon Martis to Triple-A Syracuse, and reassigned INF Pete Orr and OF Chris Duncan to minor league camp.

The Nats now have 36 players in camp.

Martis has not shown the development team officials would have liked to have seen this spring.

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

Orr and Duncan provide organizational depth at this point in their careers.  Duncan, thought to be able to compete for an OF/1B backup job, seems to have lost out to Mike Morse for that slot.

Photo 2008 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

The Nats face the New York Mets today from Viera, FL.  Jason Marquis is scheduled to start for Washington.

In a back-and-forth contest in lovely Jupiter, FL, the Washington Nationals defeated the Florida Marlins 9-7 today from Roger Dean Stadium.

John Lannan threw five effective innings, Adam Kennedy had three RBIs, and Jesse English picked up the save and is quietly forcing himself into the talk to make the bullpen on Opening Day.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

Winner:  John Lannan.  5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 Ks.  He's just going about his business getting ready for opening day.  Numbers would have even been better had SS Ian Desmond come up with an over the shoulder catch of a pop-up that went inexplicably for an E-6.

Loser:  Jason Bergmann.  1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 1 K.  Not.  Good.

Winner: Rest of the bullpen.  Tyler Clippard, Luis Atilano and Jesse English combined for three scoreless innings.

Loser:  Justin Maxwell.  0-for-3 with a K.  He's now hitting .111 this spring.  Not the way you win a wide-open job competition.

Winner:  Ian Desmond.  2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored.

Loser:  Ian Desmond.  Two fielding errors, but the first one was a tough play that even had the Florida radio guys perplexed on the error call.

Winner:  Eric Bruntlett.  2-for-4 with tow runs and two RBIs.  Versitle fielder that had changed his approach at bat this spring.

Loser:  Alberto Gonzalez and Pete Orr.  Someone missed a sign on a rally-killing baserunning play.  This team is only taking one backup middle infielder, and it's looking more like Bruntlett every day.

The Nats host the Mets tomorrow as Opening Day is only two weeks away.  Expect some more cuts sometime tomorrow too, as the battle for playing time--and a roster spot--tightens.

As is tradition, the Washington Nationals just can't beat the Florida Marlins.  Today's spring training game was no exception, as the Fish beat the Nats 5-3 before 4,237 at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL.

Today's biggest news, of course, was the assignment of last year's twin first round draft picks, Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen, to minor league camp. 

Both players aren't expected to be long for the minors, as they just need some seasoning, and of course, reach the point where they will no longer qualify for "Super Two" status, and should join the big league club around Memorial Day.

But there was a game played today, and it was important to several players, including starting pitcher Garrett Mock.  Mock was the first Nat pitcher to go five innings, and he was relatively effective again today. 

He got into some hot water in the second inning, walking catcher John Baker befor egiving up a two-run blast to Marlins 1B Gaby Sanchez.  Mock was "visibly upset" according to radio play-by-play announcer Dave Jaegler, and the Jaegler opined it was more for the walk than the homer.

Mock settled down after that, though, and completed another steady, if unspectacular performance.

The Nats play tomorrow at 1:05 pm against the Marlins in Jupiter.

WINNERS AND LOSERS:

Winner:  Garrett Mock.  5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 4 K.  Solid if unspectacular.  Mock has probably moved past Olsen on the depth chart at this point.

Loser:  Shairon Martis.  2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 0 K.  Martis needed to do something specialto stick around in camp, and he just didn't do it.  He'll probably be inthe next round of cuts.

Winner:  Tyler Walker and Drew Storen.  Both pitched hitless, socreless innings with no walks and a strikeout.

Loser:  Cristian Guzman.  He went 1-for-3 at bat, but had a throwing error, pulling Adam Dunn off the bag, in just the type of play the Nats waned to see him make:  a tough ball in the hole.  He did not make a strong throw, and it could be an indication that his shoulder doesn't have enough strength to start the season.

Oh, and he was caught stealing, too.

Winner:  Ryan Zimmerman.  2-for-3 with another double.  He's hitting .438 this spring.

Loser:  Mike Morse.  1-for-4 and ground into inning-ending double play.

So as the Nats faithful wait patiently for Strasburg and Storen to reach D.C., they can now spend their spring travelling around PA and MD watching the tandem pitch in the minor leagues.  Harrisburg, Altoona, Bowie; here we come!

Stephen Strasburg, the 21-year old phenom, was the winning pitcher for the Washington Nationals Friday night in a 13-5 win over what passed for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Then, Saturday morning, he and fellow 2009 first round pick Drew Storen were sent over to minor league camp to continue their ascent to the major leagues.  Reports are surfacing that both pitchers will be assigned to AA Harrisburg.

Strasburg was finally scored upon in spring training, surrendering two solo home runs in the first inning.  Leadoff hitter Tyler Greene pulled the first pitch he saw over the left field fence, and two batters late, Allen Craig hit an opposite field shot.

But after the big hits, Strasburg got down to work.

He retired the next 11 of 14 batters.  He struck out 8 in four innings of work, also getting four ground ball outs.  In his three appearances, he did not record a single fly ball out.  He threw 53 of his 73 pitches for strikes.

Strasburg and Storen now seem to be in the same boat:  pitching in the minor leagues and biding their time until they no longer qualify for "Super Two" status, and the Nats can retain their services for an extra year before arbitration, then free agency.

But Nats fans can bet, though, that you'll see both players in D.C. around the beginning of June.

In addition to the two rookies, LHP Matt Chico was sent to Syracuse and LHP Doug Slaten and C Jamie Burke were reassigned to minor league camp.  The spring roster now sits at 39.

WINNERS AND LOSERS:

Winner:  Strasburg.  4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K.  Granted it was against a bunch of minor leaguers and has-beens that the Cards sent up, but he dominated after the two solo homers.

Loser:  Sean Burnett.  1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K.  Burnett now has a 15.75 ERA in spring.  He has not looked comfortable yet.  As the only lefty in the Nats pen, Burnett needs to get himself right quickly.

Winner:  Migeul Batista.  3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K.  It was a solid appearance for a guy that can start or relieve this season.

Loser:  Ian Desmond.  The spring's biggest news, but last night he went 0-for-4, stranded six runners, and made an error at short.  He did walk, score and steal a base, though he also was caught stealing too.

Winner:  Brian Bruney.  1 IP, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K.  He was around the plate, which is important for him.

Winner:  The Nats offense.  14 hits and 13 runs was a pretty good showing.  But again, St. Louis hardly brought any big leaguers on the trip, so most of the damage was done against guys scheduled to play in Springfield.

Washington hosts the Florida Marlins Saturday at 1:05 pm.  Hopefully Florida brings a little more representitive squad for today's game.

Dmitri Young officially retired on Thursday, March 18.  Check out some Meathook memories and what he is doing now.....NNN: Off the Field.

Here's a quick little thing to think about before Saint Stephen takes the mound against a bunch of minor leaguers and has-beens in St. Louis Cardinals uniforms tonight.

With Josh Willingham scratched tonight due to a sore neck, what would happen if, say his back started acting up early in the season requiring him to miss some time?  With Dukes kicked off the island, the Nats are already starting one outfielder that didn't necessarily fit into their plans at the start of spring training.

How would you like to watch a combo of Wee Willie Harris, Nyjer Morgan (hamstrings willing) and Justin Maxwell partol the outfield.

That's an awful lot of speed tracking down fly balls, but none have much of a throwing arm and there's absolutely no power to speak of.

Just something else to think about.  From the team that apparently can just throw away talented but enigmatic 25-year old outfielders.

If you've read this blog for any length of time, you already know where this is going.

Anyway, once again Cristian Guzman's name is popping up in trade rumors.  Yesterday, a New York reporter tweeted that the Mets might be interested in Guzman with Jose Reyes battling a thyroid condition.  No sooner did that tweet pop up did denials from the Mets come pouring in.  Sounds like idle speculation to me.

Because here's the thing, which may come as a surprise to some:  Cristian Guzman isn't very good.

You can parse the numbers anyway you like.

He has a lifetime .307 on base percentage.  Not batting average. On Base Percentage.

Last season, his OBP was .306.  He is what he is.  

Guzman walked 16 times in 555 plate appearances.  You know how bad that is?  Ubaldo Jiminez, a pitcher, walked six times in 77 plate appearances.  Extrapolated out to 555 plate appearances, Jiminez would have walked 43 times.

I know that's raw and a small sample size.  I'm just sayin'.

He brings no power, no speed and no patience.

What he brings to the table offensively is an empty batting average.  If, like in his "all-star" year of 2008, he can hit ..316 and accidentally have an OBP of .345, he's not that big of a drain on the offense.

If he's hitting eighth.  At the top of the order, it's embarrassing.

But you know how many times in his ten seasons he's posted a batting average of .316 over a full season?

Once.  In 2008.  When his BABIP (batting average on balls in play) was .337, 30 points higher that league average.  While it's not an outrageous BABIP, suggesting Guzman was more than simply lucky, he did benefit from a few more balls dropping in than average.

Defensively, he was fifth worst last season in the majors among shortstops that qualified with a UZR/150 of -2.6.

On top of all that, he's due another $8 million on his reward contract that Jim Bowden so graciously gave him several years ago.

The only people that think Cristian Guzman has any trade value are people that still think that batting average is a good metric to evaluate a baseball player. 

I wish the Nationals could trade Cristian Guzman. I really do. But if Omar Minaya doesn't want him, guess what? The Nats are stuck with him.

The best that the Nats can hope for is to play him, hope he catches fire for a few weeks (batting around .340 and OBPing .345), and flip him to a contender that has a catastrophic injury at short.

If Guzman starts at short and Ian Desmond is sent to Syracuse to start the season, that's what Mike Rizzo will be hoping for.

I'd be shocked if anything else happens.

On a very busy day in NatsTown, those players assigned for the trip to Kissimmee were beaten by the Houston Astros 11-2.  One day after the "feel good" of sweeping split squad games, the Nats turn right back around and get pasted in every way imaginable.

The pitching was not very good.  The hitting was non-existant save for two solo home runs.  There was another error (by minor leaguer Danny Espinosa, over for the day from minor league camp).

And worst of all, the team gave up on Elijah Dukes, a talented 25-year old under team control for another season after this one.

I'm not going to go into Dukes' stats, cause you can look them up as well as I can.  He has shown tremendous power, a good batting eye, and a strong arm in right field.  On occasion.

It's true he hasn't really put it all together, but it's also true he's never had a full season's worth of at bats to do so.

GM Mike Rizzo and manager Jim Riggleman both went out of their way today to say this was a "baseball decision" and it has nothing to do with Dukes' attitude or any new off-the-field incident.  But Rizzo also said that this move would help clubhouse chemistry.

That's the part I'm stuck on.  If you didn't want the guy in the clubhouse, and it's clear that is Rizzo's motivation here, why bring him to spring training?  Why cut him on the deadline to avoid paying his entire season's salary?

Mike Rizzo, the question to you, were I in Florida to ask it, is why did you ofer him a contract for this season if you feel the clubhouse is a better place without him?

Because if the Nats brass is sticking to the "baseball decision" reasoning, then it's a bad baseball decision.  Especially considering that the in-house replacements are all inferior baseball players to the one you just let walk away for nothing.

WINNERS AND LOSERS:

Winner:  Justin Maxwell, Mike Morse, Willie Harris, Chris Duncan, Roger Bernadina and maybe even Willy Tavares.  Their path to makingth eopening day roster just opened up a bit.  Someone (or someones) will have to play right field this season.

Loser:  Jim Riggleman.  He's put in the inenviable position of now trying to decide on a starter from a pool of a half-dozen two and a half weeks before opening day.

Winner:  Luis Atilano. One inning, no hits, no walks, two strikeouts.  He was the pitching highlight today.

Loser:  Jason Marquis.  In a word:  Terrible.  No, wait:  Embarrassing.  Three and one-third, eight earned on eith hits and four walks.

The Nationals are off Thursday, a chance to regroup and lick their wounds from another spring training loss.  And officially start looking for a new right fielder.

Bon Chance, Elijah Dukes.  Go prove them wrong.

This morning the Washington Nationals granted Elijah Dukes his unconditional release.  The move reduces the spring training roster to 44.

The news spread around NatsTown like wildfire, fueled by speculation of an off-the-field incident.  But according to manager Jim Riggleman, the decision to release Dukes was a "baseball decision" and there was no further incident.

This move opens right field up to a host of candidates, including Willie Harris, Justin Maxwell, Mike Morse and Roger Bernadina.

It's a stunning development for the talented, but enigmatic, Dukes.

It's hard to believe that the Nats would just give up on a player with the talents of Dukes, considering he's just 26 years old and under team control salary-wise.

More details when they become available.  Bu tif the Nats are sticking with the "baseball decision" excuse, Nats fans, you have every right to say "Prove it." 

Demand that Riggleman and Rizzo explicitly state HOW and WHY they are better off without a player of Dukes' ability.

If you didn't want him in the clubhouse, why bring him to spring training?

Puzzling.

0-10.

Stinks, right?

To hear the players talk about it, we should just disregard the spring training record.  They have a list of reasons/excuses to forget about the record.

• We're just getting our work in.
• We aren't playing with our regular players.
• I just want to stay healthy for the season.
• I'm working on some new thing/adjustment.

For the most part, spring training records don't mean squat.  Several writers over the last couple of days have tried to analyze the impact of spring training records. 

While there is some anecdotal evidence that winning/losing spring training records can show potential regular season success, there's just no real hard evidence to prove that spring training records mean anything.

What does mean something, however, it how the team is going about earning their dubious spring training record.

Yesterday's ballgame was typical of the troubles the Nats are having so far.

Nationals pitchers walked eleven batters yesterday.  Granted, it was windy and controlling even the fastball was a bit dicey.  But eleven walks in a game.  And these weren't guys wearing uniform numbers in the 70s. 

Livan Hernandez, in his first spring training appearance, walked three.  Ok, that's not fair, because Hernandez never really cares about walking guys. 

Tyler Clippard, however, walked five in his appearance, and has been fairly terrible so far this spring.  He going to be counted on in the Nats revamped bullpen this season.  What happens if he can't find the same success that he did last season?

Ron Villone walked two and made a throwing error while recording one out.  He could be the second lefty in the pen.  Manager Jim Riggleman certainly thinks enough of him to see that decision being made.

There was also a wild pitch and passed ball to go along with the free passes.

Defensively, there were two more errors in the field, and a couple of defensive miscues that went for base hits.  Two days ago, Nyjer Morgan dropped a fly ball and twice balls fell between him and Elijah Dukes that should have been outs, or cut off before extra bases were collected.

But Adam Dunn says "Who cares?"  Maybe that's the part that bugs me the most about the Nats results so far.

GM Mike Rizzo said flatly that these games don't matter, that he wishes they didn't keep stats or records.  Dunn said yesterday he doesn't care about winning in spring training, and Jim Riggleman said that he didn't want to "use up" all the teams wins in March.

Ryan Zimmerman, the team leader, said these results are happening with "guys that aren't going to be here" when the season starts.

Should the leaders of this team have such a nonchalant attitude about winning in spring training?  Think they would be saying the same things if the team were 10-0 instead?

So if spring training results don't matter, as everyone wants to imply, what's to make of the good performances thus far?

Are we supposed to ignore Ian Desmond, Drew Storen and Stephen Strasburg's successes?  Or do we write them off as "just spring training" too?

While we're on the subject, what to do about the shortstop position?  Ian Desmond has been playing out of his head.  Rizzo yesterday told reporters that Desmond will play shortstop full-time somewhere in 2010, whether it's in D.C. or Syracuse.  Good.

The competition has been pretty one-sided thus far, as Cristian Guzman has missed most of the exhibition games, due first to his recovering right shoulder, then to attend to the birth of his daughter.  But The Guz is a known commodity.  He brings empty batting average and below average defense to the table. 

If Guzman returns to the team and can slap a few base hits around the last two weeks of spring training without making himself look silly in the field, could the Nats find someone to take him off their hands? 

The Mets just lost Jose Reyes for an extended period of time, might Omar Minaya find Guzman a more palatable answer than any in-house option he might have?

Something to think about, anyway, while we continue to watch the losses pile up in games that do not matter.

The guy they all came to see, righthander Stephen Strasburg, once again did not disappoint, as he ran his spring training stats to five scoreless innings.

Unfortunately, after he left the pitchers that followed him forgot how to throw strikes, as the Nats hurlers issued 11 free passes today.  Combine that with two more errors, one hit by pitch, a wild pitch and a passed ball, and you've got the recipe for a 7-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Albert Pujols-less St. Louis Cardinals today in sunny Viera, FL.

WINNERS AND LOSERS:

Winner:  Stephen Strasburg.  He went three innings, throwing first pitch strikes to seven of 11 batters faced.  He gave up two hits and walked one, striking out two.

Loser: Livan Hernandez.  He gave up two runs on three hits and three walks in three innings pitched.  In other words, a typical Livan Hernandez outing.

Winner:  Brian Bruney.  He had a 1-2-3 outing, granted against minor leaguers, in the ninth inning.  No walks, no hits.

Loser:  Tyler Clippard.  Ouch.  One and a third innings, five runs on one hit and five, yes five walks.  Terrible outing.  I posed the question on twitter today that no one wanted to answer.  What happens if Clippard and Sean Burnett return to pre-Nats effectiveness?  How bad will the pen look at that point?

Winner:  Adam Kennedy.  1-for-3 with a triple, RBI and run scored.  He's the offensive hero for the day.

Loser:  Nyjer Morgan.  0-for-3, lowering his average to .143.  When do you get concerned?

There you have it, the anatomy of the tenth consecutive spring training loss.

After the game, several Nats issued proclimations saying that there's no need for concern, that the Nats aren't playing their regular guys, there are players out there in Nats uniforms that aren't going to make the team.

Wonder if they were referring to Strasburg, who has shown by far and wide he's the best pitcher on this team already.

Before the game, GM Mike Rizzo went out of his way to tell reporters that money would play no part in the formation of the 25-man roster that heads north for opening day.  It will be interesting to see if he lives up to those words.

Who cares?  Strasburg pitches again tomorrow.

Sorry.  Sean Burnett allowed a run in the bottom of the ninth inning after the Nats tied the game in the top of the ninth, as the Nats fell to the Houston Astros 8-7 before former president George H. (and Barbara) Bush in Kissimmee, FL.

Winners and Losers:

Winner:  Scott Olsen.  He went three innings and gave up one run on a couple of wind-aided flyballs, gave up four hits total and did not walk anyone.  Reports have his fastball at 87-88, which is still not where it needs to be, but it is faster than his first start.  He needs to keep improving.

Loser:  Matt Chico.  Chico told reporters after the game he had no feel for his off-speed pitches today and had trouble locating his fastball.  All that spells trouble for a guy that doesn't have a blow-away pitch.  The damage?  One inning, seven hits, six runs, five earned, one walk and no strikeouts.

Winner:  Matt Capps.  He finally had an outing where he didn't give up a runs.  Still, a walk and a hit in one inning.  Not great.

Loser:  Sean Burnett.  He actually took the loss, giving up one run on three hits and a walk in an inning and a third.  He did strike out two in the appearance.  He needs to be the player the Nats think he is or the bullpen is going to get ugly fast.

Winner:  Drew Storen.  Chris Duncan played a pop up into a hit for him, and he walked a guy.  But he worked out of the trouble with two strikeouts.  He's going to be good.  Quickly.

Loser:  Nyjer Morgan.  0-for-4, leaving his spring average at .167.  Also, flat-out dropped a fly ball and misplayed two others.

Winner:  Ryan Zimmerman.  3-for-4, homer, two runs.

Loser:  Elijah Dukes.  Scratched due to a sore toe.

Winner:  Ian Desmond.  2-for-4 with an RBI.  Give the man a job.

Loser:  Chris Duncan.  0-for-2, lowering his average to .118.  Misplayed two pop ups into base hits and and dropped a throw at first base.

Tomorrow:  Stephen Strasburg takes the hill tomorrow in Viera against St. Louis.  Highly doubtful Albert Pujols makes the road trip with his balky back.  Should be exciting nonetheless.

First, today's scheduled game against the New York Yankees has been cancelled due to the lousy weather hitting Florida this week.  It will not be rescheduled.

It throws the pitching assignments into a bit of a mess, as John Lannan, who missed yesterday's start, was going to throw a simulated game today that will also get washed out.  Jason Marquis was supposed to pitch today.  I'm sure the guys down on Florida will have news of the reassignments as soon as the team comes up with the plan.

On to the cuts:  C Devan Ivany and 1B Josh Whitesell were sent back to mionor league camp.

Neither move was unexpected.  Ivany, 27, is an organizational player and has never appeared above Double-A.  As the number of pitchers in camp is reduces, so can the number of catcher be reduced.

Whitesell, 27, who made his MLB debut last season with Arizona, will likely start out the season playing first for Syracuse and be an option for the Nats should the injury bug hit in D.C.  He has some decent pop and on base skills, and is average around the bag.

The Nationals made their first round of cuts, announced by GM Mike Rizzo, this morning.

LHPs Shawn Estes and Eddie Guardado were given their outright releases.

Re-assigned to minor league camp were RHPs Logan Kensing, Ryan Speier and Joel Peralta, LHP Victor Garate, OF Jerry Owens and C Derek Norris.

None of the moves are shocking.

Estes threw one spring training inning; Guardado two.  Both were considered long-shots to stick around, especially Estes.  He had retired from triple-A after last season, but came to camp to give it one more shot in the bigs.  Guardado was a tremednously reliable reliever for a long time, but that time has passed.

Norris is the only name to get cut today that has any future impact in the organization.  Last year's minor league hitter of the year in the organization is a big hitting catcher who still needs to work on his defense and fundamentals.  He has a keen eye at the plate and power to burn.  Norris should start the season, but not finish it, at Double-A Harrisburg.

Winner:  Garrett Mock.  3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 HR, 3 Ks, 0 BBs.  Why is he a winner?  Zero walks.  Still hasn't walked anyone this spring.  He's going after hitters and just laying out there.  He's got good natural stuff and needs to trust it and use it.

Loser:  Matt Capps.  1 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 1 Ks, 0 BBs.  That's his third straight rough outing.  After the game, he told reporters that results matter to him and he wants to "strike the side out" every time.  Couldn't get a speed report on him today, but his velocity needs to be 90-91 to be effective.

Winner:  Adam Dunn.  He went 2-for-3.  Good to make contact.

Loser:  Chris Duncan.  He went 0-for-5 with 2 Ks and 4 left on base.  In front of his former team, his father, and the St. Louis fans.  Maybe he was pressing.

Winner:  Ian Desmond.  1-for-3 with a triple, walk and a run scored.  While Cristian Guzman is away with his wife awaiting the birth of a child, Des actually got to play shortstop today too.

Loser:  Elijah Dukes.  0-for-3 and now hitting .200 so far this spring.

All in all, nothing really earth-shattering like yesterday.  Just another day of spring training where according to the GM he wishes they didn't keep score or stats and the results mean nothing.

Nothing to see here.  Nothing.

Catcher Jesus Flores, rehabbing from off-season shoulder and elbow surgery, will visit noted shoulder expert Dr. James Andrews for 10 days or so to evaluate and receive treatment on his shoulder, which has not recovered according to the timetable team doctors laid out at the beginning of spring training.

Flores originally was diagnoised with a fracture in his shoulder, returned to play, then found out he had a torn labrum, which required extensive surgery.

He's returned to spring training, trying to build up the strength in the arm, but has not progressed past playing catch.  He has not been able to throw back to the pitchers while catching bullpen sessions.  And he has not taken batting practice.

All that leads up to another trip to Dr. Andrews.

According to reports, Flores will be evaluated and receive treatment, but no word at this point if another surgery will be required.

None of this is good news for the 25-year old developing catcher, who was once thought of as the long-term answer at the position for the Nationals.

Unfortunately, his status is very much up in the air with the latest setback, and it is vitually certain Flores will start the season on the disabled list.

From MASN.com's Ben Goessling's blog post earlier today, manager Jim Riggleman discussed the situation.

"I don't see how (Flores) couldn't (start on the DL)," Riggleman said. "Ten days from now, we couldn't get him enough games to be ready for the season, no matter if he got back at the earliest."

For now, the Nats will head into the season with Ivan Rodriguez (.280 OBP in 2009) and Wil Nieves as the catching options.  The team re-signed Jamie Burke to catch at Triple-A Syracuse and should remain the emergency option should the Nats need another catcher for the time being.

It's a shame for Flores, and the team, that his shoulder has not responded adequately yet.  The team signed Rodriguez to be a part-time player to Flores' starter, and now that is in serious jeopardy.

Rodriguez was exposed last season when forced into a full-time gig with Houston.  While his batting average was not bottom of the barrel, his on base percentage was terrible.  For all the accolades he's received this spring from Nats management, players and coaches, he's a shell of the player that will no doubt be enshrined in Cooperstown five years after his exit from the game.

He might "bring a lot to the table" as far as presence and respect, but he brings little to the plate anymore when he steps into the batter's box.

Flores' injury, and slow recovery, is a big blow to the Nationals this season, and perhaps into the future after re-evaluation from Dr. Andrews.

Here's a real quick synopsis of Stephen Strasburg's spring training debut for the Washington Nationals.

The hard numbers: two innings pitched, 27 pitches, 15 strikes.  He gave up two hits, a soft liner the opposite way and a bouncing ground ball up the middle.  He struck out two batters and did not walk a batter.

He overthrew a couple fastballs to start off, which would not be unexpected.  But he sat 97, 98 MPH with the fastball, showed a 91 MPH changeup and an 81 MPH breaking ball.  He actually threw two different breaking balls, showing a big breaking slurvish pitch and a much tighter traditional slider that bent the knee of the Tigers batter called out looking.

Strasburg worked quickly, even with men on base, and looked like he was throwing easy after the first two pitches.  He seemed to open up his front shoulder once or twice, and catcher Wil Nieves gave him some prodding afte one pitch to keep his front shoulder in.

So, a strong debut overall for the wunderkind.  He definitely has major league quality pitches, and it's only a matter of time before he's in the rotation.  I'd still expect the team wait until his after the date when his arbitration eligibility would be delayed an extra season, meaning sometime around Memorial Day.

But it will be an exciting time when he does finally pitch in D.C.

The Nats still have yet to realize that elusive first "Curly W" of the spring training season, as they fell to familiar foe Florida Marlins today 11-2, before a paid crowd of 2,216 at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL.

The Marlins aren't even much of a draw in their own state either.

There should be close to three times that many fans for tomorrow's game.  Not that the Detroit Tigers are that interesting, but a certain No. 1 overall draft pick will make his debut in a Washington National uniform.

But I digress.  Today it was Scott Olsen making his first start of the spring, as he tries to regain his touch that once made him a promising prospect.  This was his first opportunity to pitch in a game situation since having surgery on his pitching shoulder last summer.

According to eyewitnesses, his fastball sat in the mid-80's as he labored for two innings against mostly J.V. players from the Marlins.  He gave up seven hits in two innings, including a couple of bloop hits, but also including a three-run home run by Jorge Cantu, one of the few regualrs the Marlins brought north for the game.

Olsen didn't walk a batter, bit did not strike anyone out either.  He induced two grounders and four fly ball outs.

Olsen will have to get his velocity back up to the high 80's to make his slider and change effective again at the big league level.  His development in spring training is important, as the Nats front office is practically depending on him to return to the level he pitched at in his first two seasons with Florida, and not the obviously injured version that surfaced at Nats Park last spring.

Today's list of ineffective pitchers included Collin Balester (2.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 K) and Eddie Guardado (1.0 IP, 4 R, 3 H, 1 K, 0 BB).  Balester was a little unlucky, as some of the damage came in his third inning of work, the longest any Nats pitcher has been asked to pitch yet this spring.

Tyler Clippard was good, striking out the side in his inning of work.  Brian Bruney made things interesting in his inning, sriking out two, but walking two as well.  That's vintage Bruney.

The Nats offense consisted of two solo home runs, by Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Willingham, in his first at bat this spring.

Other mildly interesting tidbits:  Nyjer Morgan turned a single into a double on a base hit to left field, and slid headfirst into second, after vowing publicly to change to a feet-first slide to protect the thumb he broke that ended his season in 2009.

Cristian Guzman was 0-for-3 in his first start at SS.

Manager Jim Riggleman brought Ian Desmond into the game late -- in center field.

Willie Harris was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first on a hit by Elijah Dukes.  That's the third runner the Nats have had thrown out at home inthe last two ball games.

Zimmerman struck out on check swings his other two at bats.

Tomorrow is the big day, the debut of Stephen Strasburg.  The game is on MASN and MLB Network, so for manyit will be their first opportunity to see the phenom pitch in person.  The Tigers are bringing a representitive squad over for the game, and Miguel Cabrera has already told the media he's looking forward to facing Strasburg.

Should be an interesting spring training matchup.

They say at this time of year that the pitchers are ahead of the hitters.  The Washington Nationals pitching staff is doing all they can to dispell that notion.

Today there was some decent performances sprinkled in with batting practice, but a couple of guys the Nats are going to depend upon this season were rocked in their spring training appearances, as the Nats fell to the New York Mets, 14-6, in the team's spring training home opener at historic Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL. 

Announced attendance was 5,843.

John Lannan started and threw ok, but hardly sharp.  He gave up two earned runs on two hits and a walk, striking out two.  Aaron Thompson, acquired in the Nick Johnson deal, went two innings, giving up just one hit and striking out one.  After that?  Yuck.

Shawn Estes, trying to return from what seems like a decade of injury, gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in one inning.  Josh Wilkie gave up one on two hits and a walk in one inning.  But those results pale in comparision to what happened to two of the arms that should make up the Nats' new-look bullpen.

Tyler Walker was hammered, surrendering five earned runs on six hits (including two home runs) in one inning.  He did strike out the side though.

Sean Burnett was no better.  He gave up four earned on five hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning.

As for the offense, Cristian Guzman (at DH), Ryan Zimmerman and Eric Bruntlett all had two hits apiece.  Bruntlett hit a three-run home run off Mets starter Mike Pelfrey.  He probably won't hit another one all season.  Mike Morse homered too, as he fights for a bench job.  He finished 1-for-5.

The team left nine runners on, and had another error, as backup catcher Wil Mieves threw one away on a pick-off attempt.  Nyjer Morgan did have an outfield assist, throwing out Angel Pagan trying to take third base.

Sunday, the Nats travel down I-95 to Port St. Lucie to face the Mets at their home away from home.

The bats woke up a little bit today, but for the third game in two days, the Washington Nationals pitchers couldn't get the job done, as the Atlanta Braves pounded out 17 hits en route to an 11-8 win in Grapefruit League play.

The Nats are now 0-3 in spring training.

Miguel Batista, battling for a spot in the rotation, started for the Nats.  He managed to get through the first inning unscathed, but gave up two runs in the second.  He walked two and gave up three hits overall.

Craig Stammen took over in the third inning, and was torched for three earned runs on four hits and a walk in an inning and a third.

Jesse English, picked up off waivers from San Francisco, was no better, surrendering three runs (twoearned) on fourhits in two-thirds of an inning.  Ryan Speier and Victor Garate both allowed a run in an inning of work as well.  Doug Slaten and Tyler Clippard escaped damage by pitching scoreless innings.

The Nats pitchers struck out just two on the day.  It's one of the problems of being a pitch-to-contact squad.  The Braves only hit one home run today, but everything else was just falling in.  You'll have days like that.  If you can make batters swing and miss, it keeps balls out of play.  But the Nats have precious few pitchers like that on the squad. 

For now, anyway.

The hitters joined the party today.  Well, some of them did anyway.  The star was Ian Desmond, again.  He went 2-for-3 with a homer and six RBIs.  And as he did yesterday, spend part of the game at short and part in right field.  I'll spare you the diatribe.  Today, anyway.

Mike Morse, fighting to keep a bench spot, went 2-for-2 with a walk and two RBIs.  Elijah Dukes singled and doubled, and Chris Duncan, Adam Kennedy and Roger Bernadina all added hits.

Dukes and Morse both stole bases, and Desmond was cut down attempting in the third inning.

Kennedy booted a ball in the infield for his first error of the spring, and Willy Taveras threw out a runner trying to stretch a single into a double.

Tomorrow, the Nats host the Mets from historic Space Coast Stadium at 1:05 pm.

Today's "big" news is that John Lannan will indeed be the 2010 Opening Day starter, facing the Philadelphia Phillies and likely their new ace Roy halladay.

This marks the second year in a row Lannan has enjoyed the duties.  He told MLB.com's Bill Ladson, "As a pitcher, you would like to face the best, and I want to face the Phillies. I want to go against the toughest guys and really compete," Lannan said. "It's going to be exciting."

"I wanted that [Opening Day] game, so I can make up for last year, and I definitely want to do better than last year."

The Washington Nationals were pounded in two split squad games today in the team's opening games of Grapefruit League play.

In Kissimmee, the Nats fell to Houston 15-5.  Garrett Mock started and threw pretty well.  He went two scoreless innings, giving up three hits and no walks.  Most of the rest of the staff struggled.  Shairon Martis allowed six hits and six runs in an inning and a third.  Matt Capps made his Nats debut and was roughed up for three hits and two runs in one inning. Eddie Guardado allowed three runs and four hits in one inning.

Drew Storen, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2009 draft, pitched a scoreless inning with a strikeout.  Eight of his nine pitches in the inning were for strikes.

The offensive highlight came from DH Josh Whitesell, who went two-for-two with a walk.

In Jupiter, the Marlins beat the Nats 10-4.  J.D. Martin threw two perfect innings with a strikeout.  Collin Balester gave up a solo home run in two innings, giving up two hits and walking two in the process.  Brian Bruney struggled, allowing two runs on two hits with a walk in the fifth inning. And non-roster invitee Ron Villone gave up three runs in a third of an inning, on one hit and three walks.

At the plate, Ian Desmond went two-for-three with a walk, splitting his time between short and right field.  Jerry Owens went two-for-three with an RBI.  Kevin Mench, coming over from the minor league side, hit a homer in the ninth inning.

The wind was blowing hard in central Florida today, not helping the cause.  And it's fairly useless to parse spring training stats, especially from the first outing. 

But what we can take away today is that two of the young pitchers fighting for the fifth spot in the rotation came out and got their work done in an efficient manner, Ian Desmond wants to be a big leaguer, and a first round draft pick (not named Strasburg) continues to pound the strike zone and impress.

While manager Jim Riggleman is saying all the right things (needs to face hitters with something "on the line", needs to pitch every fifth day, needs to pitch with adrenaline), the decision to have Stephen Strasburg start the season in the minors is based on one primary factor:  it will delay his arbitration eligiblity by a year and delay the date he can become a free agent.

This is not a new concept.  It happens all the time.  It's just particularly onerous in this instance because:

1. Strasburg is already the best pitcher the Nationals have.
2. Guys like Miguel Batista and Livan Hernandez are competing for rotation spots.
3. Scott Olsen has yet to prove that he's healthy.

In the long run, it doens't matter baseball-wise if Strasburg makes his MLB debut in April or June.  The Nats aren't going to contend for anything (including .500) this season anyway.  With a tough April-May schedule, and down two (or three) starters to begin the season, the team's record could get ugly quick, with a  long road to go to dig out from the results.

It matters more what the rotation looks like at the end of the season rather than the beginning.

At that point, we could see a rotation of Marquis, Lannan, Wang, Strasburg and "next best".  Substitute Jordan Zimmermann for "next best" at the start of 2011, and you might have something there.

It's just tough to look at the start of 2011 before the 2010 season even starts.

Hotstove.com asked several prominent Nats internet writers their opinion on who should get the ball on opening day against the Phillies.

You can click here for the full discussion.

Here was my answer: 

Jason Marquis. As much as I love John Lannan, Marquis was an all-star last year and the “big” free agent signing this off-season for the Nats. Marquis was brought in to eat innings and be a mentor to the younger pitchers on the staff, and he should get the nod opening day. In a perfect world, this will be the last time we debate the Nats’ opening day starter, at least for a little while, with the ascention of Stephen Strasburg.

I might be asking for some hate mail not tabbing Lannan for the job, even in my own household.  But Marquis is the more experienced, more decorated, and more veteran pitcher.  He was the Nats big off-season acquisition and is going to be asked to deliver 180+ innings this season.

Of course, Manager Jim Riggleman says it's still an open discussion, but Lannan's first spring training start leaves him on a schedule to pitch on opening day, with Marquis going in game two against the Phillies with a day off.

What say you?  Lannan or Marquis?