The Nationals have signed 31-year old righty swinging infielder Eric Bruntlett to a minor league deal. He played in 72 games for the Phillies last season and he was 18 for 105 (.171 avg, .462 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 7 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Bruntlett has now played in 512 games in his major league career and he is 182 for 789 (.231 avg, .633 OPS) with 115 runs scored, 11 homers, 72 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. Despite the fact that Bruntlett is a good defensive player it’s doubtful that he would hit well enough to help the Nationals in 2010.

The Nationals have signed 27-year old lefty swinging 1B Josh Whitesell to a minor league deal. He played in 46 games for the Diamondbacks last season and he was 21 for 108 (.194 avg, .633 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 1 homer and 14 RBIs. Whitesell also played in 63 games in AAA-ball in which he was 66 for 225 (.293 avg, .869 OPS) with 35 runs scored, 8 homers and 58 RBIs. Whitesell has now played in 53 games in his major league career and he is 23 for 115 (.200 avg, .665 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 2 homers and 15 RBIs. This was a nice buy low move for the Nationals as Whitesell used to be a highly thought of prospect not too long ago.

The Nationals have signed 39-year old lefty reliever Eddie Guardado to a minor league deal. Guardado pitched in 48 games (0 starts) for the Rangers last season and he was 1-2 with a 4.46 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. He has now pitched in 908 games (25 starts) in his major league career and he is 46-61 with 187 saves, a 4.32 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Guardado is nearing the end of his major league career but I still like this signing for the Nationals who are building themselves a nice little bullpen.

The Nationals have signed 26-year old righty reliever Matt Capps to a 1-year deal. Capps pitched in 57 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last season and he was 4-8 with 27 saves, a 5.80 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. The Pirates decided not to tender him a contract for the 2010 season because of his struggles last season but the Nationals will likely give him a shot to be the closer anyway. He has pitched in 271 games (0 starts) in his five years in the majors and he is 19-19 with 67 saves, a 3.61 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. This was a excellent move by the Nationals who are building a decent bullpen for the 2010 season.

The Nationals have signed 31-year old righty starting pitcher Jason Marquis to a 2-year, $15 million dollar deal. Marquis pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Rockies last season and he was 15-13 with a 4.04 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He has now pitched in 290 games (231 starts) in his 10 years in the majors and he is 94-83 with 1 save, a 4.48 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. I really like this signing for the Nationals who have been looking for a innings eater to help out at the top of the starting rotation and Marquis definitely fits the bill.