The 2012 season was sort of a statement year for the Washington Nationals. Making the statement of saying "Were're here, so get use to it." Led by their many young stars the Nationals come off their 81-81 record in 2011 to finish a Major League best 98-64 last season.
But on the night October 13, the Nationals fantastic season came to a bitter ending.
Leading the Cardinals 7-5 in the 9th inning of game 5 of the NLDS in Washington, the Nats were only 1 out away from being 4 wins away from the World Series. The Nationals lost the game 9-7.
“There’s a bad taste in my mouth,” Storen said after giving up 4 runs in the 9th. “It’s going to stay there for a couple months, and it’s probably never going to leave.”
“You can see the see finish line and taste it,” General Manager Mike Rizzo said. “You’re an out or two or a pitch or two away. And you don’t win it. You got to get all 27 outs before you can pack up the bats."
“I made good pitches,” Storen said. “I wouldn’t change a thing. I have no regrets.”
Maybe if there was one regret that the Nationals organization made last season it was the much talked about innings limit placed on Stephen Strasburg.
Strasburg was coming off Tommy John Surgery that ended his 2011 season. The National said from the start that no matter what happened, how the team or Strasburg was doing, when the pitcher reached 160 innings his season would end.
"They're going to have to rip the ball out of my hand." Strasburg said in spring traning last year.
The Nationals shut down Strasburg for the season on September 8th, a day after he gave up 5 runs in 3 innings against the Miami Marlins. Finishing at 159 1/3 innings, with a 15-6 record and 197 strikeouts in 28 starts.
Strasburg comes back in 2013 limit free and ready to become the true ace of the Nationals staff.
Strasburg will be rejoining the Nats rotation that includes NL Cy Young canidate from last season Gio Gonzalez and newly acquired Dan Haren.
Gonzalez put up great numbers regardless of what happend to Strasburg, pitching to a 21-8 record with a 2.89 ERA in 2012.
Dan Haren hopes to end his struggles of seasons past with the Angels. While in Anaheim Haren's overall record was 33-27 since joining the Angels half way through 2010.
"To get a pitcher of Dan Harens callibur we feel fortunate that we could land him." Said Nats GM Mike Rizzo. "I think I have a lot the prove this year.......I'm 100% confident I'll be healthy." Haren said.
Also coming to Washington this winter was closer Rafael Soriano, who signed with the Nats on a 2-year contract worth $28M. Soriano saved 42 games for the Yankees last season with a ERA of only 2.26.
As if the Nats bullpen could get any better. With Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen, Craig Stammen and now Soriano.
"By no means was the signing of Rafael Soriano based on one inning and one game at the end of the season," Rizzo said. They all have closer's stuff, the GM explained, "One of them is going to close out the seventh, one will close out the eighth and one will finish the game in the ninth and we feel pretty good about that."
"I've had closers... I always have had a backup closer. In here I actually have, in reality, I have three guys that have closed aside from Soriano." Said manager Davey Johnson.
Another thing that Davey Johnson has this year is lineup that is capable of scoring a lot of runs on any given night. With 2012 NL Rookie of the Year Bryce Harper, Jason werth and his ever so ferce beard.
Ian Desmond broke through as one of the Nationals best players in 2012 after earning his 1st all-star selection at age 26. Desmond also set carrer highs in HR (25), RBI (73), and AVG (.292).
Bryce Harper when through an intesne work out course during the offseason to get prepared for the season. Waking up to get the gym for lifing as early as 5:30 in the morning four times a week.
“It gives me a good time to relax and hang out and clear my mind,” said Harper. “Lifting and stuff really helps me clear my mind. I love it.”
As far as the rest of the team goes, GM Mike Rizzo likes what he see's.
“I’m pleased with the physical condition everyone showed up in,” Rizzo said. “Guys are in shape. They’re getting their cardio in. They’re getting their work in. The weight room is jam-packed. Guys are willing to go in there, they want to go in there. I think it shows on the field, where guys can get their throwing in and their running."
So in 2013 expect the Nationals to be good, really good. They win to badly after what went down last season. The Nationals know they can win. As do I, and thats why they are not only #1 in my pre-season power ranking, but my early favorite to be crowned world series champions in only 9 months time.
Follow me on twitter, @GavinEwbank2013.
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