WASHINGTON NATIONALS

2005 finish: 81-81, 5^th place in NL East

Manager: Frank Robinson (5^th season)

Free agents: RHP Esteban Loaiza, OF Preston Wilson, RHP Tony Armas Jr., RHP Hector Carrasco, C Gary Bennett, LHP Joey Eischen, IF Deivi Cruz, IF Carlos Baerga

On the block: 1B/OF Brad Wilkerson, 2B Jose Vidro, SS Cristian Guzman, 2B Junior Spivey

Looking for: Power-hitting outfielder, left-handed reliever, starting pitcher, backup catcher

Incoming: RHP Brian Lawrence, IF/OF Damian Jackson

Long gone: 3B Vinny Castilla

What’s going on: General manager Jim Bowden’s contract has been extended for another six months, but he has interviewed in Boston and told members of the coaching staff to look for other jobs. Such is the state of things for the still-ownerless Nationals. And so much for the idea of improving dramatically on offense in an attempt to contend in the East. They’d like to keep Esteban Loaiza and Hector Carrasco, but both will draw interest on the market. That’s one reason why they dealt Vinny Castilla to San Diego for Brian Lawrence. The other is Castilla’s departure clears the way for 2005 top pick Ryan Zimmerman. Preston Wilson won’t return, and they are out of patience with Tony Armas and his chronic shoulder problems. IF/OF Damian Jackson signed a one-year deal. He will bring speed and versatility off the bench. There is a surplus of outfielders, which could mean that Brad Wilkerson or young players Tyrell Godwin and Brandon Watson are moved. The infield still has a couple of contracts the Nats wouldn’t mind getting rid of: Jose Vidro — bad knees and all — is owed $23 million over three years, and Cristian Guzman, coming off a miserable season, is owed $12.6 million over three years.

HOT STOVE LEAGUE Click for the latest on your favorite teams AL EAST Baltimore Boston N.Y. Yankees Tampa Bay Toronto NL EAST Atlanta Florida N.Y. Mets Philadelphia Washington AL CENTRAL Chi. White Sox Cleveland Detroit Kansas City Minnesota NL CENTRAL Chi. Cubs Cincinnati Houston Milwaukee Pittsburgh St. Louis AL WEST Anaheim Oakland Seattle Texas NL WEST Arizona Colorado Los Angeles San Diego San Francisco

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

A deal on Bradley? You're buying a lemon   CTB: Panda attacks conditioning like a jelly donut GMs head out to work on offseason trades Report: Mets, Phillies interested in Figgins MLB blog: Tigers listening to offers for Granderson Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay Varitek exercises option to remain with Red Sox MLB blog: Mariners are bringing back Griffey ... why? AP sources: Riggleman staying as Nationals manager Wainwright: Holliday wants to return to Cards   Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: