Ever since moving to the capital city in 2005, the Washington Nationals haven't had a lot to get excited about. But there are a lot of people who think that the Nationals are finally primed to become a serious contender in the NL East after finishing third in its division with an 80-81 record. Washington is expecting their ace, Stephen Strasburg, to come out and play for them for a full season. Aside from that, they went and acquired Gio Gonzalez to give them another young and potent arm in the top of their rotation. Here is the projected starting rotation and closer situation for the Nationals in 2012.
Projected Rotation
Stephen Strasburg (RHP) - Strasburg suffered an injury to his elbow that limited him to five starts at the end of the season. He went 1-1 in the stretch, but had a 1.50 ERA and 0.71 WHIP. What was impressive was that he had just two walks in those five starts. When healthy, Strasburg has the talent and the drive to be one of the best starters the NL has to offer.
Gio Gonzalez (LHP) - Washington traded away four players in order to land Gonzalez, and he was worth it so long as he pitches like he has in his last two seasons in Oakland. The 26-year-old went 16-12 with a 3.12 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 32 starts last year, following up his strong 2010 season where he went 15-9 with a 3.23 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. He is still relatively young and his best years are still ahead of him.
Jordan Zimmerman (RHP) - Don't discount Zimmerman just yet, even with the addition of Gonzalez and the return of Strasburg, Zimmerman still has what it takes to produce at a high level. The 23-year-old righty produced solid numbers of 3.18 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 26 starts, despite returning from Tommy John Surgery.
John Lannan (LHP) - After a sub-par 2010, Lannan bounced back to perform in arguably his best season to date, when he posted a career-low 3.70 ERA and a career-high with 10 wins.
Chien-Ming Wang (RHP) - After signing with the Nationals prior to the 2010 season, Wang finally made his Nationals debut last year. He went 4-3 with a 4.04 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 11 starts. Provided that he is healthy, he has the potential to win 10+ games and really make the Nationals' staff one of the best the NL has to offer.
Projected Closer
Drew Storen (RHP) - Storen really surprised a lot of people when he saved 43 games in his first season as the Nationals' closer. The expectations for him going forward are off-the-charts as the 24-year-old also posted a 2.75 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 74 strikeouts in just over 75 innings of work.
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