The Nationals have signed Rob Mackowiak (1 year, $1.5 million) and Willie Harris (1 year, $800,000) to compete for spots off the bench. Mackowiak played in 113 games last season with the White Sox and Padres and he was 77 for 293 (.263 avg) with 40 runs scored, 6 homers and 38 RBIs. Mackowiak has now played in 818 games in his major league career and he is 596 for 2,275 (.262 avg, .743 OPS) with 300 runs scored, 63 homers and 282 RBIs. Mackowiak should make the team based on his solid career work to date. Willie Harris played outfield last season for the Braves but he can also handle 2B & 3B defensively which could give an edge for a bench spot. Harris played in 117 games last season for the Atlanta Braves and he was 93 for 344 (.270 avg, .741 OPS) with 56 runs scored, 2 homers, 32 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Harris has now played in 486 games in his major league career and he is 307 for 1,243 (.247 avg, .639 OPS) with 194 runs scored, 7 homers, 85 RBIs with 72 stolen bases. These were both good signings for the Nationals as they should solidify the bench for 2008.

Reserve infielder Pete Orr has signed a minor league contract with the Nationals as he will attempt to make the team in Spring Training. Orr didn’t play too well last season for the Braves. He played in 57 games last season for the Braves and he was 13 for 65 (.200 avg, .450 OPS) with 11 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Orr has now played in 271 games in his major league career and he is 97 for 369 (.263 avg, .631 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 2 homers, 28 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Orr will likely have a hard time making the Nationals this season.

The Nationals have re-signed 33 year old lefty reliever Ray King to a minor league contract. King pitched in 67 games last season for the Nationals & Brewers and he was 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. He has now pitched in 581 games in his major league career and he is 20-23 with 2 saves, a 3.43 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. This was a good move by the Nationals as King has been a solid relief pitcher for quite some time now and the price was right.

The Washington Nationals have decided to non-tender outfielder Nook Logan making him an unrestricted free agent. Logan played in 118 games for the Nationals last season and he was 86 for 325 (.265 avg, .649 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 21 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. Logan has now played in 321 games in his major league career and he is 233 for 870 (.268 avg, .660 OPS) with 111 runs scored, 2 homers, 56 RBIs and 58 stolen bases. Logan should be able to find a new job as a defensive replacement and pinch runner as he’s one of the fastest players in all of baseball.

The Washington Nationals have signed catcher Paul LoDuca to a 1-year, $5 million dollar contract. The 35-year old catcher should improve on Brian Schneider’s numbers from last season. LoDuca played in 119 games last season for the New York Mets and he was 121 for 445 (.272 avg, .689 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 9 homers and 54 RBIs. He has now played in 1,015 games in his major league career and he is 1,070 for 3,719 (.288 avg, .752 OPS) with 467 runs scored, 80 homers and 466 RBIs. LoDuca stated that part of the reason he came to the Nationals was so that he could play the Mets 18 times next season.