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The Worst-Case Scenario Opening Day Roster

Found January 10, 2012 on Nats Triple Play:
PLAYERS: Mark DeRosa,  Grady Sizemore,  Coco Crisp,  BJ Upton,  Buster Olney,  Marlon Byrd,  Mike Cameron,  Bryce Harper,  Jayson Werth
TEAMS: Washington Nationals,  Cleveland Indians,  Oakland Athletics,  Tampa Bay Rays,  Chicago Cubs

Washington_nationals_vs_2d04
The Nationals' off season to date has been characterized by a marked lack of activity on the position player front. No major free agents (Sorry, Mark DeRosa does not qualify as a blockbuster signing.), no "big" trades; lots of sound, very little fury (apart from certain quarters of the fanbase). Signifying what, exactly?Unlike seasons past, when the plan for the winter was less roster upgrade than roster overhaul, the Nats approach 2012 with relatively well-defined needs. Foremost among the holes to be filled, a centerfielder and a lead-off hitter, either separately or all in one player. The free agent market for lead-off hitting centerfielders was less than impressive even before Grady Sizemore re-signed with Cleveland, and Coco Crisp is a cereal, not a solution.Remaining free agents like Cuban Yeonnis Cespedes or trade targets like B.J. Upton are centerfielders, but not classic leadoff hitters. And now the jungle drums are rumbling that Mike Rizzo may wait until 2013...
Original Story: http://nats3play.blogspot.com/2011/12...
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In other Washington Nationals Hot Stove news: Stephen Strasburg wants the NHL Winter Classic at Nats Park next year

Via Nationals Enquirer  |  January 09, 2012
And so, while you're sitting around waiting for Prince Fielder news and dreaming about Spring (just 41 days until pitchers and catchers report!), enjoy the photo above via @BinkValdellon, as RT'd by @stras37 himself. That's Nats Park on Monday, under the first significant snowfall (read: dusting) of the 2011/2012 Winter in Washington. Stephen Strasburg took the opportunity...

Bucs sign Doug Slaten

Via Raise the Jolly Roger!  |  January 12, 2012
Yippee! Doug Slaten! Slaten is a 31 year-old lefty reliever. He was decent in limited action with the Nats over the last two years, but missed some time with an elbow injury.  He should add a little bit of lefty depth in the bullpen – the Bucs don’t have much of it right now behind Tony Watson, Daniel Moskos, and possibly J0-Jo Reyes.  It’s a minor league deal...

Pirates bring lefty Slaten in on Minors contract

Via mlb.com  |  January 11, 2012
Though terms of the agreement have not all been finalized, left-hander Doug Slaten has chosen to sign a Minor League deal with the Pirates, an industry source confirmed Wednesday. The addition of Slaten will give the club another lefty reliever to consider for its bullpen.

Pirates Sign Doug Slaten

Via MLB Trade Rumors  |  January 11, 2012
The Pirates signed lefty reliever Doug Slaten to a minor league, deal, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Slaten, 31, tossed 16 1/3 innings for the Nationals this year and another 10 1/3 in the minors, missing much of the season with an elbow injury.  He was non-tendered by the Nationals last month after earning $695K in 2011.

Report: Prince Fielder not likely to sign with Nationals

Via Seattle Post-Intelligencer  |  January 11, 2012
Another day, another round of rumors about Prince Fielder. Today’s buzz is the MLB.com report that there’s a “99 percent” chance the Washington Nationals will not sign Fielder, the hot free-agent in whom the Mariners are apparently — and, to M’s fans, hopefully — interested. At least not at the Nationals’ current price. MLB.com’s Bill [...]

Extension Candidate: Michael Morse

Via MLB Trade Rumors  |  January 10, 2012
Michael Morse's emergence for the Nationals began in 2010, when he hit 15 home runs in a half-season.  Given the chance to play every day in 2011, Morse's production more than held up.  The first baseman/left fielder hit .303/.360/.550 with 31 home runs in 575 plate appearances, snagging a couple of down-ballot MVP votes. Morse turns 30 in March and has four years...
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