From Adam in Germantown:
Mark - How in the world could the Nats not be considering Hanrahan for a starting spot in the rotation following his performance this spring (2 hits in 12 innings)? His performance against Atlanta was dominant - - something like 7 K in 9 hitters faced. Thoughts on how they'll use him?
Mark Zuckerman:
The reason they're not considering Hanrahan for a starting job is that he's not a starter anymore. After watching him struggle last season, the Nats decided to try him in this new role, and clearly Hanrahan has made the most of the opportunity. He's got electric stuff, and that should translate well to the bullpen. I'd look for him to start the season as their long man, but if he continues to perform well, look for him to start working his way into tighter situations.

From Joseph in Sacramento, Calif.:
With all the veterans that have been brought to the team during last year and this year (Young, Belliard, Perez, Redding, King x 2, etc) are any of these guys "auditioning" with other teams so that Bowden and co. can deal them for younger prospects? Thanks.
Mark Zuckerman:
If you know the way Jim Bowden operates, you know he'll be looking to move veterans for prospects this summer (provided the Nats aren't in a pennant race). Players like Ray King, Odalis Perez and Ronnie Belliard are valuable not only for what they can do on the field but because they're coveted by contending teams for the stretch run. Definitely look for the trade talk to start up around June.

From Chris in Fairfax:
Mark - What do you think the Nats have planned for Ross Detwiler? Do you know why they started his service time clock last year with that one inning? Considering they started his clock, will he be up in a bullpen or starting capacity at some point early this season? Thanks for your work.
Mark Zuckerman:
The reason the Nats called Detwiler up last September was to give him a taste of what life in the big leagues is like, and so he could work directly with pitching coach Randy St. Claire. It wasn't about getting him into as many games as possible. I wouldn't worry about starting Detwiler's arbitration clock -- he's going to be up here full-time soon enough anyways. And yes, they are strictly looking at him as a starter for now.

From Steve in Atlanta:
Hi Mark, Although the Nats should certainly score more runs than last year, the starting pitching still looks pretty shaky. While I'd love to see the Nats flirt with .500, I wonder if they can really be expected even to match last year's overachievment. What do you think?
Mark Zuckerman:
I came to Florida six weeks ago thinking .500 or better was a reasonable thought, but like you, the state of the rotation leaves me questioning that now. My official prediction will be appearing in our baseball preview section -- which comes out tomorrow, please check it out! -- so I don't want to tip my hand here. But I will say that my predicted win total for the Nats doesn't start with an 8. It starts with a 7.

From Kristin in Fairfax:
Which of the guys headed north are most likely to be traded first: Lopez, Dmitri or someone else?
Mark Zuckerman:
You know, I think I might actually go with Nick Johnson. Before you panic, hear me out... I don't see a trade happening anytime soon. But as we move into the summer and contending teams out there realize they need another bat and perhaps a strong defensive first baseman (the Yankees, perhaps?) Nick becomes a very marketable player, especially if he has the kind of comeback season everyone expects. I think there will be more interest in him than in Dmitri Young or Felipe Lopez.

From Mr. Madison in New Carrollton:
Hi. In the wake of John Patterson being released, there have been Patterson Supporters talking about how Patterson's release has raised the question of "Who is really managing the team, Jim Bowden or Manny Acta?" as well as the sentiment that Manny does not have any power to make decisions on who he plays and who he does not. Do you get this impression at all? Do you get the impression that Bowden and Acta are at odds, and that Manny doesn't really have any say when it comes to personnel?
Mark Zuckerman:
Quite the contrary. I think Manny Acta's opinion carries a lot of weight in these decisions. He was very much in support of the Patterson move once the decision was made. And I suspect later this afternoon we'll find out Matt Chico has made the rotation. Acta has been a Chico supporter from the beginning when some within the front office haven't been. So I really do think Manny has a say in personnel matters.

From Wookie in Woodbridge:
Any cuts on the horizon?
Mark Zuckerman:
Yes. Stay tuned, because by the end of the afternoon, the roster will be down to 25. Based on the few hints Jim Bowden dropped this morning, the final decisions came down to who had options and who didn't. So that means Joel Hanrahan makes it, while guys like Chris Schroder and John Lannan (despite deserving spots on this team) are headed to Columbus.

From Brian in Alexandria:
Mark, are you ready to leave scenic Viera? I read that the Nationals are/are going to be bringing in a Dominican SS prospect Alvaro Aristy for a workout. Do you have any background on him?
Mark Zuckerman:
Hate to say it, but yes, after 42 days in paradise, I am more than ready to head back home. Actually, my bags are packed and sitting in the trunk of my rental car right now. I'm headed straight to Orlando International after this game and flying home tonight. Ben Goessling will man tomorrow's final day of camp coverage while I start getting ready for the weekend at the new park. ... Oh, no I don't have anything on Aristy, sorry. As you know, information is always spotty at best with these international teenagers.

From PowerBoater in Virginia:
Has the team instructed Lannan to keep his bags packed in case Redding's back prevents him from throwing on three days rest? Do you think the extra roster spot for a position player is worth risking injury to a starting pitcher when the Nats' rotation is already thin?
Mark Zuckerman:
Yeah, I'm sure John Lannan will be told not to stray too far from the phone in case he's needed at the last minute. But Tim Redding does appear to be fine and there's no real fear about him not being ready. That said, I believe Lannan will pitch in Washington sooner than later. I know everyone wants to believe Shawn Hill will be ready by the 13th, but call it a hunch, I think it's going to take more time than that. When it's all said and done, I would not be surprised one bit if John Lannan is the Nats' fifth starter used this season.

From Cardman:
Are you saying that Hanrahan doesn't deserve a spot?
Mark Zuckerman:
No, not at all. There's no one who deserves to make this team more than Joel Hanrahan after what he did this spring. If he's not on the Opening Day roster, someone should be fired. I'm just saying there's other guys who have track records and have pitched well in the majors who aren't going to make it because they are the victims of the options game (like Schroder).

OK, folks -- I gotta run. Need to crank out a story on Manny Acta before this game ends, find out who the final cuts are and then head to the airport. Thanks for all the questions (and compliments) all spring, and be sure to keep joining us every Wednesday during the season for more of these chats. Looks like we'll kick off the regular season version next week in Philadelphia. See you then!