by Sports Xchange

BIGGEST NEEDS: The Nationals need pitching, and plenty of it. They had the majors' highest ERA in 2009, and though they've got some intriguing young arms in Lannan, LHP Ross Detwiler and RHP Craig Stammen, they desperately need a quality veteran or two in their rotation. That will be priority No. 1 this winter. Washington also needs to bolster a bullpen that improved as the season went on but still has some holes. A defensively gifted middle infielder would help, too.

ARRIVAL: LHP Doug Slaten (waiver claim from Diamondbacks).

FREE AGENTS: C Josh Bard, LHP Ron Villone, RHP Livan Hernandez.

Hernandez is the most likely of the group to return; the Nationals were happy with the job he did during eight late-season starts. Bard could be brought back as a backup to returning starter C Jesus Flores.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: OF Josh Willingham, LHP Scott Olsen, RHP Mike MacDougal, RHP Logan Kensing, INF Pete Orr, RHP Saul Rivera, C Wil Nieves, RHP Jason Bergmann, LHP Sean Burnett, C Jesus Flores (possible Super 2).

The Nationals have several decisions to make with their large group of arbitration-eligible players. The toughest decision might involve Olsen, who missed most of the season with a torn labrum and is required to make at least $2.24 million in 2010. Washington definitely will bring back Willingham, MacDougal, Bergmann, Burnett and Flores as key pieces for next season and beyond.

IN LIMBO: The Nationals aren't expected to pick up 2010 options on either OF Austin Kearns or 1B Dmitri Young and will welcome the money saved by letting those two underperforming veterans walk. The Nationals would like to move SS Cristian Guzman, whose skills have diminished and who is due to make $8 million. But it will be tough to find another team willing to take on that contract, so the club might have to settle for moving the veteran to second base.

MEDICAL WATCH:

SS Cristian Guzman (arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in October 2009) is expected to be 100 percent well in advance of spring training.

OF Nyjer Morgan (broken left wrist) was hurt in late August, but he was healing nicely at the end of the season. He'll be 100 percent for spring training.

OF/INF Willie Harris (strained right oblique) was injured on the second-to-last day of the season and will need some time this winter to recover.

C Jesus Flores (right shoulder surgery in September 2009) had a torn labrum repaired, and he faces a long offseason of rehab. He's expected to be healthy in March, which will be cutting it close to the start of the 2010 season.

LHP Scott Olsen (left shoulder surgery in July 2009) had a torn labrum repaired, and he began a throwing program in late September. The Nationals will monitor him over the winter and determine when he'll be ready to return.

RHP Jordan Zimmermann (Tommy John elbow surgery in July 2009) won't be ready until late 2010 at the earliest.

RHP Craig Stammen (bone chips in right elbow) missed the season's final month but will be healed well in advance of spring training.

RHP Mike MacDougal (right hip surgery in October 2009) should be ready for spring training.