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Collaborating With the Enemy: Q&A About the Nationals

By Alan Carpenter

Oct 3, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) is hit with a pitch during the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Washington Nationals won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) is hit with a pitch during the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Washington Nationals won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 13, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) and Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) celebrate after scoring a run in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) and Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) celebrate after scoring a run in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

After intense negotiations, we get the inside scoops on the Washington Nationals from Ricky Keeler of sister site DistrictOnDeck.com

Yesterday, DistrictOnDeck published my report to them on the Braves’ off-season (which we published over the weekend).  Today we reciprocate by bringing you their answers to my questions about their club.

TomahawkTake:  Denard Span became Ben Revere.  Ian Desmond became Danny Espinosa.  Danny Espinosa became Daniel Murphy.  Jordan Zimmermann became… Tanner Roark, I guess.  Is that going to work for 2016?  Better or worse?

DoD:  Right now, on paper, the Nationals were a better team on paper last year than this year, but the one person you did not mention is the new manager, Dusty Baker. Even without Desmond, Span, Zimmermann, and Fister, there is a lot of talent on this Nats roster. However, with the addition of Baker, they get a players’ manager and a new style of play. Under Baker and new first base coach Davey Lopes, the team has stolen 25 bases, which is already seven more than last spring training.

I liked the additions of Murphy and Revere because they bring more contact to a lineup that already has the power hitters in Harper, Werth, and Zimmerman. The question for this team being better or worse in 2016 is all about if this team can stay healthy after all the injuries they had last season and if pitchers like Roark and Joe Ross contribute at the bottom of the rotation.

Next: Will Pay Millions for Players

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