The Nationals have brought in a lot of new blood for the bullpen in 2010 and that is a good thing. 26-year old righty Matt Capps will be taking over as the closer this season for the Nationals. He pitched in 57 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last season in which he was 4-8 with 27 saves, a 5.80 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. The Nationals hope that they are getting the Capps from 2005-2008 when he pitched in 214 games (0 starts) and was 15-11 with 40 saves, a 3.06 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP.

28-year old righty Brian Bruney will be the top set up man for the Nationals in 2010. Bruney pitched in 44 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last season in which he was 5-0 with a 3.92 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. He whiffed 36 batters in only 39 innings pitched so he has good stuff but he also walked 23 batters last season which is way to many. If Bruney tightens up his control a bit he could be a huge asset for the Nationals in 2010.

25-year old righty Tyler Clippard really had a breakout year for the Nationals last season and they hope he can repeat it in 2010. Clippard pitched in 41 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last season and he was 4-2 with a 2.69 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He only gave up 36 hits while whiffing 67 batters in 60 1/3 innings showing just how nasty he was. His only weakness was his control as he walked 32 batters last year. If his control improves in 2010…..look out!

33-year old righty Mike MacDougal recently signed a minor league deal. He will likely get to work late in games for the Nationals as he was their closer last year. MacDougal pitched in 52 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last season and he was 1-1 with 20 saves, a 3.60 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. MacDougal only gave up 45 hits in 50 innings last season but he walked 31 batters which is way too many.

27-year old Sean Burnett will be the Nationals’ top lefty in 2010. Burnett pitched in 33 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last season and he was 1-1 with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He pitched in 71 games (0 starts) overall last season for the Nationals & Pirates in which he was 2-3 with 1 save, a 3.12 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP.

33-year old righty Tyler Walker has been awful this spring but he still might make it to the bullpen for the Nationals in 2010. Walker pitched in 32 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last year and he was 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. I feel that the Nationals should overlook his performance this spring and give him a job in the pen.

28-year old righty Jason Bergmann will likely be the long man for the Nationals in 2010. Bergmann pitched in 56 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last season and he was 2-4 with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. In five years with the Nationals, Bergmann has pitched in 151 games (50 starts) in which he is 12-23 with a 4.97 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.

30-year old righty Ryan Speier just needs an extended chance to show how good he is. He pitched in 5 games (0 starts) for the Rockies in which he was 0-0 with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. He has now pitched in 90 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 7-3 with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP.

30-year old lefty Doug Slaten will likely be the second lefty out of the pen for the Nationals in 2010. Slaten pitched in 11 games (0 starts) for the D-Backs last season in which he was 0-0 with a 7.11 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. He has now pitched in 126 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 3-5 with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. I think he will do a good job for the Nationals in 2010 if given an extended chance.

34-year old righty Joel Peralta also could win a job in the pen in 2010. Peralta pitched in 27 games (0 starts) for the Rockies last season in which he was 0-3 with a 6.20 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. He has now pitched in 221 games (0 starts) in his major league career in which he was 4-11 with 2 saves, a 4.61 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BULLPEN IN 2010: C