Whose glove do you love? (plus Werth Chia Pets and Rendon gnomes)

Whose glove do you love?

The Nationals accomplished a lot in 2015, among them most wins in the National League and Silver Slugger Awards for Ian Desmond and Anthony Rendon. But not one Nats player was awarded a Gold Glove last season. In fact, in the 10 seasons of Nationals baseball, only two Nationals - Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche - have received Gold Gloves. Ironically, Zimmerman is replacing the departed LaRoche this season, but is basically a novice at his new first base position having started only one game there in his career.

So on this Valentine's Day where you've certainly already disappointed your dearest with the same old box of chocolates, let's ask the question:Whose glove do you love most for the Nats in 2015? Who has the best chance of landing the first Gold Glove for the franchise since LaRoche in 2012?

First, it's worth noting that the Nats fell right in the middle of all MLB teams, finishing 15th with 100 total errors last season. Coincidentally, San Francisco, who eliminated them and went on to win the World Series, equaled the Nats' error total. The Reds had the fewest in baseball with 72. The Nats defense improved drastically after an abysmal start in 2014. With an assembled starting rotation that appears set to dominate, a stout defense behind Jordan Zimmermann, Max Scherzer and company could prove to be the difference for a run late into the fall.

Do you love this glove?

Denard Span: We know he tied for the National League lead in hits with 184 while batting .302, but how about his glove?

Span committed just four errors in 377 chances last season in center field. More importantly, his speed and instincts saved countless runs whether by impressive catches or running down balls in the gaps. He's been a Gold Glove finalist the past two years and was passed over in 2013 despite not committing an error in 384 chances. Span, who'll turn 31 by opening day, projects to provide similar stellar defense in 2015, a contract year.

Anthony Rendon: "We evaluate him as a Gold Glove-caliber defensive guy at third base," Nats general manager Mike Rizzo said after selecting Rendon sixth overall in the 2011 draft. The 24-year-old finished fifth in the NL MVP voting in just his sophomore season in the majors, which saw him mostly play at third base but also second base. That won't be the case in 2015, when Rendon is set to man the hot corner for the Nationals throughout the season. He committed 15 errors in 356 chances at third base last season. As Rizzo stated, defensive expectations are high for the man who figures to settle in at third base for many years to come.

Ian Desmond: Desmond was a Gold Glove finalist in 2012 and 2013, but his fielding fell off a bit last season. He recorded 24 errors at shortstop, the second-most of his career behind only the 34 he committed in 2010. The 29-year-old enters a contract year defending three consecutive Silver Slugger Awards at shortstop. He'll have to get used to a new double-play mate up the middle with Yunel Escobar expected to take over full-time duties at second base.

Yunel Escobar: Rizzo would look like a genius if Escobar ends up with a Gold Glove in 2015. A month ago, the Nats GM traded away arguably the most valuable member of the Nats bullpen in order to acquire the 32-year-old Escobar. In 2013, Escobar was part of an entire Tampa Bay Rays infield that received Gold Glove nominations. For Escobar, though, his recognition came at shortstop where he's played predominantly throughout his eight seasons in the majors. In 2015, Escobar moves to second base, where he hasn't played since 2007.

These figure to be the best candidates, but maybe you think Zimmerman makes a quick transition across the diamond or Bryce Harper shines in right field?

With major apologies to the late, great, great Bo Diddley... who do you love for the best glove for the Nats in 2015?

Giveaways/promotions announced: On Friday, the Nationals announced their 2015 promotional schedule, featuring celebrations of the franchise's 10-year anniversary and giveaways, including bobbleheads of historical moments featuring Zimmerman, Stephen Strasburg, Jayson Werth, Zimmermann and Livan Hernandez. Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, the Nationals' first manager, will be honored on May 9 at Nats Park in a ceremony to mark the team's 10th anniversary. Several former Nationals players will be on hand to watch Robinson's name added to the Ring of Honor.

Sci-fi fans and people-watchers will want to circle July 19 on their calendars for the Nationals' first Star Wars Night. Fans (and by that I mean adults) typically show up at the park dressed as Chewbacca, Darth Vader or Yoda or whomever their favorite character is that night. You'll probably want to check with the Nats to see if you can actually bring your lightsabers into the game.

Fellas, make sure you hit the gym before the June 18 game, as you'll want the gun show to be in full effect for Ladies Night. Oh, yeah!

But if last year is any indication, the two giveaways that will cause the biggest frenzies figure to be Werth Chia Pets on Aug. 5 and Rendon garden gnomes on Aug. 25.

Last August, Nats fans went insane over the Werth gnomes. Some began lining up five hours before first pitch in order to guarantee themselves a dwarfish statue of the famously bearded Nats outfielder. More than 40,000 people showed up at Nationals Park, far more than a typical Tuesday night, for a chance to get their hands on the gnome that was only given to the first 25,000 through the gates. Some empty-handed fans attempted to bargain with others, some entrepreneurial fans immediately took to eBay to peddle their giveaways and some adults just flat-out committed petty larceny for the right to have the figurine.

Two attractive 20-something girls struck up a conversation with my brother and his colleague while having a beer and a dog in the standing room area during the fifth inning. My brother and his buddy were "lucky" enough to be among of the first 25,000 in the park for the Werth gnome, but the two women weren't. So when something actually happened on the field that distracted the guys from the two beauties, the girls quickly reached down and snatched the two gnomes and ran off. I'm not sure what I laughed harder about - the fact that two good-looking girls pulled one over on them or that two middle-aged attorneys actually cared about a garden gnome. Me, I would've just passed it to some kid once I walked through the gates.

You can see the entire list of giveaways and promotional nights for the 2015 season here.

And a special Valentine's Day safety note: Anyone attending a game or event at Nationals Park will have to pass through a metal detector beginning in April. Major League Baseball required each team to have a security screening program in place by the start of the 2015 season.

Make love not war. Let's all spread some love today!

After all, there's only five days left until pitchers and catchers report.