32-year old righty swinging RF Jayson Werth got a huge contract from the Nationals over the winter. From 2008-2010, Werth averaged 92.3 runs scored, 29.0 homers, 83.7 RBIs and 17.7 stolen bases per year. It’s starting to look like Werth was more of a product of a great Phillies’ offense. He has played in 140 games for the Nationals so far this year and he is 122 of 521 (.234 avg, .730 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 19 homers, 56 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. Werth has whiffed an amazing 146 times this year while walking 71 times. Since August 1st, Werth is finally showing signs of life with his bat. Werth is 37 for 140 (.264 avg) withh 20 runs scored, 7 homers, 15 RBIs and 3 stolen bases since August 1st. The Nationals need Werth to pick up the pace.

30-year old righty swinging outfielder Jonny Gomes has not added much to the Nationals since they acquired him in a deal with the Reds last month. Gomes has played in 19 games for the Nationals so far this year and he is 10 for 51 (.196 avg, .653 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 2 homers and 8 RBIs. He has now played in 96 games overall for the Reds & Nationals this year and he is 56 for 269 (.208 avg, .720 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 13 homers, 39 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. The Nationals need Gomes to get his act back together because they need his power.

24-year old switch-hitting 2B Danny Espinosa has been a big time power source for the Nationals so far this year. He has played in 120 games for the Nationals so far this year and he is 98 for 439 (.223 avg, .716 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 17 homers, 55 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. He has whiffed 119 times already this year as he refuses to cut down on his swing to make better contact. If he doesn’t change that part of his game, he will be doomed to be a .220 hitter his whole career. He has a big time upside if he can refine his approach at the plate.

The Nationals need 25-year old righty swinging shortstop Ian Desmond to pick up the pace with the bat. Desmond has played in 104 games for the Nationals so far this year and he is 85 for 374 (.227 avg, .598 OPS) with 40 runs scored, 4 homers, 31 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. Those are disappointing numbers which also caused the Nationals to trade him last weekend. In his first two years with the Nationals, Desmond played in 175 games in which he was 164 for 607 (.270 avg, .724 OPS) with 68 runs scored, 14 homers, 77 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Desmond will have to get back to hitting like he did before this season if he doesn’t want to have to fight for his starting job next spring.

32-year old righty swinging RF Jayson Werth averaged 92.3 runs scored, 29.0 homers, 83.7 RBIs and 17.7 steals per season with the Phillies from 2008-2010. With that in mind, the Nationals inked Werth to a very expensive contract last winter. It hasn’t worked out like planned so far this year. Werth has played in 94 games for the Nationals so far this year and he is 76 for 349 (.218 avg, .694 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 11 homers, 33 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. To say the Nationals need Werth to pick it up with the bat would be a huge understatement.