Thoughts on the Nationals rotation entering Spring Training

The Washington Nationals went on a crusade this offseason to find themselves a top of the rotation starter, which, despite it's total failure, was rather impressive. The Nationals never did get their starting pitcher, but they were in the news nearly everyday in their pursuit of a group of arms that included names like Zack Greinke, Cliff Lee, Carl Pavano, and even Jorge De La Rosa. That's a lot more than most last place teams can say.

Strong effort or not, the Nats will be entering spring 2011 with essentially the same rotation they came to play with in spring 2010. Looking at the results from last season that last sentence could be a pretty scary one to read for Nationals fans who saw the club struggle to find production from the 14 separate arms they threw on to the mound last year. That prospect becomes even scarier when we remember that they will be without the services of their best starter from 2010, Stephen Strasburg.

However, when we stop, take a breath, and take a look at the rotation, we have to remember that a lot of the problems in 2010 stemmed from early health issues. There is enough talent to fill out a rotation in Washington, they just will not likely have many strong arms at the top of it. That does not mean, howeve,r that the Nationals will not have a productive pitching staff in 2011. Lets take a look at who will be competing for a spot:

 Livan Hernandez
2010 Stats: 10-12, 3.66 ERA, 33 GS, 4.85 K/9
2011 Projections: 10-15, 4.71 ERA, 33 GS, 4.91 K/9

John Lannan
2010 Stats: 8-8, 4.65 ERA, 25 GS, 4.46 K/9
2011 Projections: 8-11, 4.40 ERA, 28 GS, 4.66 K/9

Jason Marquis
2010 Stats: 2-9, 6.60 ERA, 13 GS, 4.76 K/9
2011 Projections: 5-7, 4.46 ERA, 21 GS, 4.89 K/9

Jordan Zimmermann
2010 Stats: 1-2, 4.94 ERA, 7 GS, 7.84 K/9
2011 Projections: 8-7, 3.75 ERA, 23 GS, 8.18 K/9

Ross Detwiler
2010 Stats: 1-3, 4.25 ERA, 5 GS, 5.16 K/9
2011 Projection: 2-3,  4.70 ERA, 7 GS, 6.46 K/9

Yunesky Maya
2010 Stats: 0-3, 5.88 ERA, 5 GS, 4.15 K/9
2011 Projection: N/A

Also vying for attention in spring training will be J.D. Martin, and Luis Atilano. Craig Stammen has likely made a permanent transition to the bullpen.