Defeat the Empire

In the first half of 2005, the Nationals were a capitivating national story. In their first year in DC, they were 20 games above .500, Chad Cordero was racking up saves, and they were proving the sabermetricians wrong by piling up one-run wins with consistency. But soon, the foundation fell in, and by the end of the season, the Nats were where everyone expected them to be -- last place.

Jim Bowden made a big move in the offseason, trading for Alfonso Soriano. He intended to move Soriano to the outfield, but Soriano has refused and likely will start at second base. Many feel the former Yankee and Ranger will be a bust, and with good reason; on the road in 2005, his hitting percentages were a terrible .224/.265/.374. Robert F. Kennedy Stadium is hardly a hitters' park, so Soriano should stuggle offensively.

If the Nationals are to have a chance in 2006, which is unlikely, the pitching will have to be as dominant as it was in the early going last year. Livan Hernandez, John Patterson, and Brian Lawrence (acquired from San Diego for Vinny Castilla) head the rotation, and Chad Cordero in the bullpen is a rock. The offense is at best, average, led by Jose Guillen, Nick Johnson, and Soriano. The Nats are putting alot of stock into 21-year-old third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who tore the league apart last year during a September call-up. His success led to the trade of Vinny Castilla early in the offseason.

The Nationals likely will be overmatched in this division, which contains the Mets, Braves, and Phillies. However, their solid pitching should keep them out of last place. Outlook: 4th Place, NL East