MLB teams are reporting to spring training camps. Baseball is in the air. The Nationals pitchers and catchers have reported and I find that I am more excited about it than I thought I would be. Maybe because I think there are a lot of interesting story lines with this team. Maybe it’s because I’m coming off a very disappointing Redskins season and they continue to have PR nightmares – very little positive about that team. While I don’t have any delusions that the Nats are going to win the pennant, there are a number of positive things going on with them, which at the beginning of the season anyway, help to get me genuinely excited. On paper I think they have improved across the board, even if they didn’t get the big time pitcher they supposedly wanted to get. If any of that translates to the field, then I think we may have a more exciting season to look forward to. I read an article in the Wash. Post this morning about catcher Jesus Flores finally being healthy. With him, Pudge and Wilson Ramos in the mix at that position, not to mention top prospect Derek Norris, we are without question set at the catcher position. Usually, the best teams are the ones that are strong up the middle. The Nats have the potential to be just that – but there are question marks. The catcher part is nailed down. Desmond at shortstop and Espinosa at second base are young but show the promise of really developing into something special – and it could happen this year. Pitching is questionable – just not sure what you’re going to get. But if that aspect can at least be solid, then the Nats could surprise a lot of people. The biggest question mark is centerfield. Is Nyjer Morgan capable of being the productive leadoff hitter that the Nats need in order to succeed – or will he have another train wreck of a season like he did last year? Early reports suggest that he has come to camp in better shape and has a new found attitude regarding his approach to the game. If he can be nearly as productive as he was when he first came over to the Nats from the Pirates, then the Nats lineup could present a lot more problems for opposing teams with Zimmerman, LaRoche and Werth hitting in the middle of the lineup. Hey,it’s spring training – regardless of what reality might be, isn’t this the time to get excited about your team??
