Kasten: Nats to be more aggressive than ever

Washington Nationals team president Stan Kasten told Jayson Stark of ESPN.com that the club plans to be more aggressive than they've ever been this offseason:

"This winter, the Nationals still plan to be "more aggressive than we've ever been" to upgrade their club, team president Stan Kasten told Rumblings. And they'd still like to bring back Adam Dunn. But if Dunn leaves as a free agent and "we don't have that, we have to replace it," Kasten said.

So in the big picture, Strasburg's injury "has not changed any of our strategies going forward," Kasten said."

That's quite a statement considering the Nationals already will see their payroll jump next year as it is. Ryan Zimmerman, Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper and Livan Hernandez are scheduled to make a combined $5.25 million more than they made this season. On top of that Josh Willingham, Sean Burnett, Tyler Walker, John Lannan, and Michael Morse will all likely receive raises through arbitration.

However if what Kasten is saying is true and the Nationals do actually look to be the most aggressive they've ever been, that will mean a lot considering the clubs push for Mark Texiera two years ago where the club was willing to offer him a $180 million dollar contract. Few at the time gave much credibility to that offer, as no one believed that anyone would want to go to Washington at the time. However, now the Nationals are armed with exciting young talent and if they truly are willing to throw around money, it could go a long way this winter.

Potential 2011 Free Agents:

Adam Dunn

Lance Berkman

Derek Lee

Carlos Pena

Albert Pujols

Jose Lopez

Derek Jeter

Jimmy Rollins

Paul Konerko

Adrian Beltre

Victor Martinez

Carl Crawford

Jason Kubel

Magglio Ordonez

Matt Cain

Cliff Lee

Tim Hudson

Kevin Milwood

Brandon Webb

Jon RAuch

Mariano Rivera