Q: Which of the dozen or so pitchers in the running in Viera have the best chance of filling the last four spots in the rotation? Any hope for a rookie breakthrough by Beltran Perez or Matt Chico? -- Tina Sellers, Tysons Corner

A: It's hard to say at this point whether any member of the dirty dozen has a leg up on the rest of the competition. We won't really know until these guys start throwing in the bullpen and then in exhibition games. That said, I believe Tim Redding will almost certainly crack the rotation, barring a horrendous spring. He's had success in the majors before, he's coming off a solid season at Class AAA and he has a previous relationship with Manny Acta.

As far as the rookies are concerned, both Perez and Chico will absolutely be given a long look this spring, and either or both could make the Opening Day rotation. Perez was surprisingly effective (and poised) during his brief stint with the Nats last September, and Chico is highly regarded within the organization. Of course, there's no rush with either guy, and I doubt the club would put either on the 25-man roster unless he clearly earned it. Also, there's nothing wrong with letting them open the year at Columbus, then getting the call-up a month or two into the season.


Q: Given the state of the Nats' starting rotation, has any consideration been given to thinking out of the box and using relievers as starters and asking them to go three innings each, like in spring training? -- Les Abernathy

A: Wow, that's not just out-of-the-box thinking. That's out of the universe! I wouldn't count on seeing anything like that happen. While it may sound like a good idea in theory, the toll it would take on a bullpen would be enormous. Think about it: Even the best relievers only pitch an inning or two every other day over the course of a season. Your plan would require most guys to pitch multiple innings on consecutive days, for six months. I know the Nats' rotation doesn't look good, but it's still better than a staff of exhausted relievers.

Q: Will the Nats keep a close eye on the closer situation in Boston? The Red Sox GM should be under a lot of pressure to make another run for a title, and without an effective closer that may not be possible. Also, I credit the Nats for signing Austin Kearns to a long-term deal. Why not make a long-term offer to John Patterson?
-- Kevin Flynn, Elkridge, Md.

A: I know there was a lot of speculation this winter about a possible Chad Cordero trade to Boston, but it should be noted that talks never progressed beyond a preliminary stage. This probably had something to do with Jim Bowden asking for Craig Hansen (among others) in return for Cordero, and Theo Epstein hanging up the phone before Bowden could say the second syllable of Hansen's last name.

It's certainly possible that the Red Sox could get back into the market for a closer once the season begins and their bullpen begins to take shape. But it should be clear the Nationals have no interest in dealing Cordero unless they're blown away with an offer. Remember: Cordero remains an integral part of Washington's long-term rebuilding plan. He's 24 years old, he's establishing a pretty solid track record of success and Bowden has offered him a two-year deal in the last week. (Cordero turned down the offer and almost certainly will be headed for arbitration on Tuesday.) Sounds like the kind of player the Nationals want to build around, not send packing. ...

As far as a Patterson long-term deal is concerned, the Nationals' position on this is simple: Until Patterson proves he can 1) stay healthy for an entire season and pitch 200 innings, and 2) pitch to the same level he did during his breakthrough 2005 season, a multi-year contract makes no sense. It's not worth the gamble. Plus, Patterson is only in his first year of arbitration eligibility, so he remains the Nationals' property through 2009.

Now, if he performs as everyone hopes he will this season, talk of a contract extension could be appropriate next winter.

Q: Will Rule 5 draftee Levale Speigner have a chance to win a spot in the Nats' rotation? He was a well-regarded prospect in the Twins' organization before coming to the Nats. It's my impression that Speigner had only moved to the bullpen because the Twins organization was already stocked with starting pitchers.
-- Len Foxwell
Easton, Md.

A: Short answer: Yes, Speigner will have a chance. Long answer: It's a slim chance. With so many starters in camp -- at least 12 vying for four open spots -- it's tough for a relative unknown like Speigner to crack the Opening Day rotation. Of course, as a Rule 5 pick, he either has to make the major-league roster or be offered back to Minnesota, so that can be viewed as a positive in Speigner's case. But the only way the Nationals will keep him is if they are absolutely sure he's the best person for the job and is ready to handle the pressures of pitching every fifth day in the big leagues. With more experienced guys like Tim Redding, Jerome Williams and Jason Simontacchi and more highly touted youngsters like Matt Chico, Shawn Hill and Beltran Perez also in the mix, it could be easy for someone like Speigner to get lost in the shuffle.

Hit your refresh button to read the latest postings...

Hello Nats fans, and welcome to our first live chat of the spring ... actually, our first live chat ever. Position players have joined pitchers and catchers in camp, and the full squad just held its first workout under new manager Manny Acta. Nothing too exciting to report from the 3-hour-plus workout, but it appears no one got hurt and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Plus, the sun is shining and the temperature's rising down here in Viera.


Thanks for joining in. Let's get to your questions...

Thanks for all your questions. Keep them coming!...

Q: I have read that Travis Lee, Larry Broadway and Dmitri Young are competing for first base. What about Robert Fick?
-- Nick Rierson
Germantown, Md.

A: Far be it for me (or anyone) to forget about Robert Fick, one of the funniest guys you'll ever meet in a major-league clubhouse, but he probably falls into a different category from the rest of those guys. Lee, Broadway and Young are true first basemen. They don't really play any other position. Fick, in many ways, is more valuable because of his versatility. He can catch, he play the outfield and yes, he can play an adequate first base. I think you'll see him making a few starts there on and off, but he's more likely to serve as a "jack-of-all-trades" type, not to mention a late-inning pinch-hitter off the bench.

Q: Remember the Seinfeld episode where George changed the Yankees uniforms to cotton and it was a disaster? Any feedback from the team on the MLB change to polyester hats?
-- Tina Sellers
Tysons Corner, Va.

A: Ah, a classic episode, featuring a memorable cameo by Buck Showalter, not to mention Kramer's tutilage of the Miss America contestant ("Which state is she from?"). Haven't heard any specific complaints from the Nationals about their new batting practice caps, which boast a gaudy, red, curvy area over the ears, but I haven't heard any major compliments yet, either. It should be noted that these hat designs are created by MLB and are imposed on every team in every camp. So it wasn't something the Nats came up with themselves, just something they were told they have to wear.

Hit your refresh button to read the latest postings...

Greetings to everyone back in chilly D.C. We've got some cloud cover here in Viera today, but that's minor griping compared to those of you still digging your way out of the snow back home. On the field, the Nationals completed their final true workout of the spring this morning. They'll play intrasquad games tomorrow and Wednesday, then kick off the Grapefruit League season Friday against the Dodgers in Vero Beach.

Plenty to discuss about this team, so let's get to your questions...