Bowden: 'set to finish above .500'
(MLB.com) Most of the Nationals' pitchers and catchers reported to Space Coast Stadium on Friday morning, kicking off the club's fourth season. Unlike the previous three years, there was plenty of optimism on the first day of camp.
In a meeting with local reporters, general manager Jim Bowden said the Nationals are ready to finish over .500 this year. Bowden made a lot of moves during the offseason to make him feel this way, acquiring outfielders Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes, catchers Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada and a slew of position players for the bench.
"I think we are ready to win more than we lose," Bowden said. "Of course, that takes a lot of young players to step up, too. But I think they are capable of doing that."
The first workout isn't supposed to be until Sunday, but at least 20 players were working out at the Carl Barger Complex, which is about 50 yards away from the stadium.
"That shows you that everybody is in here to get better, get stronger and try to make this team better," closer Chad Cordero said. "That's a good sign. In years past, maybe only a couple of guys were in here that early. To have a least 20 guys in here means a lot. That means everybody wants to go out there and play hard."
This is one year where the Nationals don't have to worry about auditioning pitchers for the rotation. Last season, right-hander John Patterson was the only starter that was guaranteed a job, while 12 others were vying for the last four spots.
This season, the rotation is set with Patterson, Shawn Hill, Jason Bergmann, John Lannan and Matt Chico. Health is the key to success. Last year, Chico was the only starter from the Opening Day roster who didn't miss a turn because of injuries. Patterson, Hill and Bergmann pitched in a combined 44 games.
"It's a little bit more reassuring that if we come in healthy and do what we have to do, hopefully it will fall into place," Hill said. "You are more worried about what you have to do for yourself to get ready as opposed to what everybody else is thinking and all that other stuff that goes with it. It's a little more comfortable and a little more confidence coming into camp."
Read: Optimism abound on first day of camp [MLB.com]
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