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Perez did a decent job in pitching coach Randy St. Claire's rotation this year, going 7-12 with a respectable 4.34 ERA. He may not have won as many games as he or Manny Acta would have liked, but he was a big influence on the younger arms on the team.

John Lannan said that Perez told him to use his change-up to left-handed hitters more often and it worked. Collin Balester, Garrett Mock and Michael Hinckley all sought advice from the 31-year old as well.

When Perez took the mound in Philadelphia on the final Sunday of the season, it may have been the last time he donned a Nationals uniform. Washington only had to shell out $850,000 for Perez, a bargain if you ask me.

So the question remains, what do the brain trust on South Capital Street do with him? A minor bump in salary? Release him and try to sign a similar pitcher for the same amount of money?

These are questions that Bowden will have to discuss with the penny-pinching Lerners. One thing is clear; Perez would love to return to DC. He told me that it's not about the money. He has enough for him and his kids. I asked Odalis what the future holds for him.

"I would love to come back, Perez said. "I think I've done a good job. If this team gives me another opportunity next year, I'd be happy."

Aaron Boone's situation is a little different. He's 35 and hasn't played a full season since 2005 with the Cleveland Indians. Boone isn't going to be an every day starter but he is leader in the clubhouse. He's not outspoken, but he knows the game of baseball and he's a calming influence on younger players.

This past season, Washington paid him $1,000,000 to come off the bench and help the youngsters play the game the right way. Do the Lerners want to pay him that again? I seriously doubt it.

With the influx of younger talent in the system and a healthy Nick Johnson for 2009, Boone is expendable. I asked Aaron if he wanted to return to the ball club.

"My first choice would be to come back, but I don't know entirely what their plans are or what the roster makeup will be; so I'm just going to go home and train hard in the off season and try to get ready for one more go."