The Nationals did not tender a 2010 contract to 32-year old righty reliever Mike MacDougal making him a free agent. The Nationals didn’t want to give him the raise he would have likely got in arbitration so they decided to just let him go instead. MacDougal pitched in 52 games (0 starts) for the Nationals and he was 1-1 with 20 saves, a 3.60 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. He also walked 31 batters in 50 innings which always seemed to get people nervous. Brian Bruney will likely get the chance this spring to replace MacDougal as the closer.