The Nationals have already made a big move this offseason. Trading for Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen. They had to give up Emiliano Bonficano for them. This greatly improved outfield production and the starting pitching staff. The Nationals have 5 really big priorities this offseason.

1.) Starting Rotation. The rotation just got energized with the addition of Scott Olsen. He will eat up innings, topping 200 for the first time this year. He will also take up the ace spot considering the state of the rotation right now. A big possibilty right now is that A.J. Burnett might sign with the Nationals. His agent said that he was leaning towards the Nationals or Yankees. If the Nationals sign Burnett also, the rotation would look like this..

1. A.J. Burnett

2. Scott Olsen

3. Tim Redding

4. John Lannan

5. Collin Balester or Shawn Hill

The rotation would have one ace right away and Scott Olsen is an ace in training, maybe 2 years until he is at ace status. Tim Redding was the ace most of this year and he is still a really good pitcher. Collin Balester and Shawn Hill are both young and they could be good next year depending on how much they train during the offseason. 

2.) Finding a power hitter. The Nationals had no power this year. The team leader in homeruns had 14. That amount was by the rookie Lastings Milledge and Ryan Zimmerman. Reports show that Adam Dunn is wanting to sign with the Nationals because of his friendship with GM Jim Bowden. Dunn would provide the power that the Nationals need. But, the negatives of signing him is that he will be very exspensive and he won't provide any average or fielding Even though the Reds have free agent compensation clause, the Nationals won't have to give up their 1st round pick because the first 15 picks are protected. Ryan Zimmerman will ebound and Willingham has some power, so the Nationals power is going to be greatly improved next year.

3.) Relief Pitching. The bullpen took a big hit when Chad Cordero got injured, Jon Rauch was traded to the Diamondbacks, and when they traded Luis Ayayla to the Mets. The Nationals bullpen is a bunch of unproven talent and 2 veterans. Te only reliable arm is Joel Hanrahan. he is good, but you don't want an ERA of 3.95 closing out ball games. The Nationals could sign Jason Isringhausen. He is a good reliever, many teams might not touch him because he talks to himself too much. Arthur Rhodes is a veteran lefty reliever that will be able to stop all lefty hittter that he comes up against. The Nationals are committed to i,proving the bullpen so these signings might not be out of line.

4.) Infield Hitting. The infield was horrible at hitting this year. The whole infield production was from Crisitian Guzman. Second base is going to be open next year, and Ronnie Belliard can't be the starting second baseman again. Willie Harris had a good season. But, the Nationals need a second baseman for the long run. Emiliano Bonificio was the next second baseman, but he was traded to the Marlins. The Nationals can sign someone like Mark Gruizilanek. he is a verteran that will provide a temporary second baseman for 2-3 years until a second baseman is ready.

5.) Stop-Gate Catcher. The Nationals don't have a very good catcher right now. Paul Lo Duca was a disaster. Jesus Flores needs 1-3 more years in the minors until he is ready for the majors. I would suggest someone like Jason Varitek or Chad Moeller. They would be able to start for 2 years and with Chad Moeller, they could platoon Jesus Flores and Moeller.

These are the top 5 priorities for this offseason. If the Nationals sign Dunn and Burnett they would have some pretty formidable veterans. If they could get Varitek too, they might be able to compete in the division next year. What do you think the top 5 priorities are for this offseason?