WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Washington finished this past year higher than they ever did before, finishing 80-81, 21.5 games behind division winning Philadelphia.

As a team, the Nationals scored 24^th in runs scored, 27^th in batting average, 25^th in on base percentage and 22^nd in slugging percentage. Their collective ERA was 7^th with a 3.58 and opponents batted .256 against them, 15^th in the league.

Free Agent wise: Todd Coffey SP, now pitches for the Dodgers, Jonny Gomes LF, went to the A’s, left fielder Lance Nix took his 16 HR’s to Philly, re-signed Chien-Ming Wang SP for 1 year and $4 million, Rick Ankiel CF, agreed to a minor league contract, veteran Mike DeRosa, 2B signed on from San Francisco for $800,000, and Brad Lidge, SP from Philly for 1 year and $1 million.

MICHAEL MORSE

The Nationals were not big players in the market and will fall to 5^th place once again. Michael Morse led in all offensive categories: with a .303 BA, 31 HR’s 95 RBI’s and an OBP of .360. The pitching, although not spectacular had a 3.58 ERA team wise. The relief was consistently good and so they were able to move up. Without another #1 SP and some hitting, they will be passed by two clubs who have improved themselves. One is Miami because of what they did in the free agent market, and one is the Mets who return with some healthy players ready for the season.