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 (claimed off waivers from Diamondbacks).

FREE AGENTS: OF Austin Kearns, 1B Dmitri Young, C Josh Bard, LHP Ron Villone, RHP Livan Hernandez.

The Nationals didn't pick up 2010 options on either Kearns or Young and will welcome the money saved by letting those two underperforming veterans walk. 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: RHP Jason Bergmann, LHP Sean Burnett, C Jesus Flores, RHP Logan Kensing, RHP Mike MacDougal, C Wil Nieves, LHP Scott Olsen, INF Pete Orr, RHP Saul Rivera, OF Josh Willingham.

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 would like to move INF 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:

C Jesus Flores (right shoulder surgery in September 2009, arthroscopic right elbow surgery in October 2009) will be cutting it close to be ready for the start of the 2010 season.

LHP Scott Olsen (left shoulder surgery in July 2009) had a torn labrum repaired, and he has begun throwing off a mound. But he's not ready to go full effort, and the Nationals will face a tough decision whether to offer Olsen arbitration (he'll make at least $2.24 million) or non-tender him in December.

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.

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.