The Washington Nationals have signed bigtime slugger Adam Dunn. Dunn who had a contract offer most of the off season from the Nationals, finally agreed on a two-year deal worth $20 million. Dunn had been hoping for a longer contract and probably from a different team but that offer never came as this years free agency rates have really dropped. However, in the end he chose the Nationals and the Nationals fans couldn’t be more happy!

Dunn, 29, hit .236 with 40 home runs and 100 RBIs with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds last season. He has hit at least 40 home runs each of the past five seasons. In 1,131 games, Dunn has 278 home runs. Dunn is expected to play first base for the Nationals.

Starting pitcher Daniel Cabrera and the Washington Nationals agreed on a one year contract over the weekend. Cabrera is expected to earn $2.6 million in 2009 as he moves into the starting rotation for the Nats.

Cabrera went 8-10 last season with the Baltimore Orioles but he does have a pretty active arm and should have had more than eight wins last season. He features a lively fastball and also throws a pretty good curveball and changeup.

Cabrera spent the last five years with Orioles and compiled a 48-59 record with a 5.05 ERA for Baltimore.

I like this signing for the Nationals as I think there is a lot of upside to Cabrera. Hopefully he has a great season with the Nats!

What do you think about the signing? – Nationals Blog

The Washington Nationals worked out a deal on Monday that will be brining Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen to the Nationals. This is just the first step as the Nationals look to revamp their roster and hopefully content in 2009.

The Marlins received second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and two minor leaguers: second baseman Jake Smolinski and right-hander P.J. Dean.

Olsen went 8-11 with a 4.20 ERA in 2008, his third consecutive season with at least 31 starts — he has never been on the disabled list. The left-hander is 31-37 with a 4.63 ERA in the majors. Willingham hit .254 with 15 homers and 51 RBIs this year but also missed 50 games with a herniated disk.

It will be interesting to see what other moves the Nationals pull off this off season.

Nationals Transactions

John Patterson, who many people thought would be the opening day starter for the Washington Nationals was released today by the team.  The lack of velocity Patterson has shown all spring training, was the main reason for his release reports are saying.

What do you think abou this Nationals fans?  The team will only save around $600,000 by releasing him.  I think it is a very big suprise and not sure if I would have done it when you look at the rest of the pitching rotation.

Nationals Blog

The Washington Post is reporting that the Washington Nationals have signed veteran left handed pitcher Odalis Perez to a minor league contract.  Perez will earn $850,000 with the minor league contract.

It is to believed that the Boston Red Sox also offered a similar offer to Perez, but he accepted the offer from the Nationals because he will have a lot better chance at making the team in Washington compared to Boston.

Nationals Blog

The Washington Nationals have signed catcher Johnny Estrada to a one year contract that will be worth $1.25 million dollars.  Estrada be the starting catcher while Paul Lo Duca recovers from an injury. Once Lo Duca is back, expect him and Estrada to battle for at bats.

The Nationals now have two verteran catchers on the roster.  It will help out with the pitching staff, and really that is where the Nationals should start.  They need to build up the pitching rotation as well as the bullpen if they ever want to compete for a playoff spot.   Now, don’t think Lo Duca or Estrada will get them there, but it shouldn’t hurt.

Nationals Blog

The Washington Nationals have signed starting pitcher Tim Redding to a one year eal worth $1 million dollars.  Cheap money for a pitcher that needs to prove he can still pitch in the major leagues.  I like the signing, as the Nationals could definately use some help with their pitching.

What do you Nationals fans think? Do you like the signing?  Think Redding can win 10 games for the Nationals this year?  Leave a comment and let us know!

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