Spring Training

[TheKingofKings]

From my point of view, only John Patterson and Shawn Hill are 100% guaranteed rotation spots, respectively the 1-2 ones.

As for the 3-5 spots, I assume Matt Chico, Jay Bergmann, John Lannan, Tim Redding and Tyler Clippard will battle it out for them. The most likely to come out of ST victorious are Bergmann, Chico and Lannan.

To the contrary, the 'pen is pretty much made out, of Chad Cordero, Jon Rauch, Luis Ayala, Saul Rivera, Jesus Colome and Chris Schroder. If the Nats opt to have a 7th reliever, expect Ryan Wagner, Ray King, Mike Bacsik, Joel Hanrahan and whoever lost the battle for the 5th rotation spot to compete for the job.

[Aa3rt]

Five of the sweetest words in the English language....

Pitchers and catchers report Friday!!!
:applaud::hyper::gt
Story from WTOP-Washington news radio

From the Nationals website

[NJMetfan4life]

I'd like to see Lannan in the rotation.

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

The way I see it:

John Patterson
Shawn Hill
Matt Chico
Jason Bergmann
Garret Mock/Collin Ballester/John Lannan

I'd be surprised if Redding got a rotation spot; he played well last year, but unless he proves he can do it again in ST, I can see Mock or Ballester taking his spot.

[Peorgie T]

On the first day of ST the Nats will have 36 pitchers fighting for the right to be on the starting rotation. Who do you think will be the starters? I know that "The Chief" will be the closer, but who's going to be the set up man?

Since the Nats just signed Rauch, I suspect that he will continue to be the main setup man. The rotation is somewhat ups for grabs, but Hill and Bergman should be in the hunt if healthy. Chico pitched well enough to stay in the bigs, and Redding will be back. I guess the top rated minor leaguers are Detwiler and Lannan; it will be interesting to see if they stay up at the end ot ST.

[AutographCollector]

On the first day of ST the Nats will have 36 pitchers fighting for the right to be on the starting rotation. Who do you think will be the starters? I know that "The Chief" will be the closer, but who's going to be the set up man?