The Nationals? motto this offseason: ?Out with the old; in with the new.?
They?re clearing out unproductive veterans and maintaining the core that propelled them to a playoff berth in 2012.
With the exception of Adam LaRoche, the Nationals will have all their starters back for 2013, including recently acquired catcher Kurt Suzuki.
LaRoche, who hit .271 with 33 home runs and 100 RBI, will most likely not be returning to Washington next season. He has an option for 2013 in his contract that management is hesitant to pick up.
?He's a great player, but I think a better teammate and a great leader in here,? said Nationals? third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. ?I think all of us would love to have him back."
This is a guy the Nats need in uniform next season. The 32-year-old veteran is widely respected in a youthful clubhouse, and has been an offensive leader on the field for this team.
Defensively, the Nationals had the second best pitching in baseball last season. In 2013 they?ll be returning four of their five starting pitchers.
Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Ross Detwiler and a healthy Stephen Strasburg will make up next year?s rotation. All four pitchers had ERAs under four.
Edwin Jackson, who?s been with eight different franchises since coming into the league in ?03, seems to be on the move once again.
He?ll likely be replaced with the 28-year-old left-hander John Lannan in the fifth slot in the rotation. Lannan pitched well in place of Strasburg at the end of the season, posting a 4-1 record with a 4.13 ERA in 32.2 innings pitched.
The bullpen will be maintaining its core as well. Closer Drew Storen, set-up man Tyler Clippard and Craig Stammen will be back in 2013.
Mike Gonzalez, the injury-prone Brad Lidge and Chien-Ming Wang's contracts are up and they will be exiting Washington this offseason.
Sean Burnett, an important piece of this bullpen, has a $3.5 million dollar option for 2013 of which he?s deserving.
Burnett, used primarily in late innings as a lefty specialist, had a great year, posting a 2.38 ERA with 58 strikeouts.
With washed-up veterans exiting the bullpen, the rotation?s core remaining intact and the talent returning on offense, this should, once again, be an exciting team to watch in 2013.
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