The Washington Nationals are at the bottom of just about every statistical category in the major leagues. They are hitting .259 which is 16th in the league, but obviously it is not enough. The pitching in general for the Nats is terrible seeing as the staff leads the major leagues with a 5.34 ERA. It's not just the pitching though. As many fans know, the defense of the Washington Nationals has been utterly atrocious. With 60 errors, the Nats lead the next team (Florida) by 6 errors. They average almost an error a game and when the pitching is this bad, the team is not giving itself a chance to win.

The Washington Nationals do not have to go out and buy expensive, amazing fielders. Rather, it is all in the mindset the manager instills in his players. It is clear that the fielders are not focused in on every play. If the opposing team scores a few runs, the mindset is, "hear we go again". The players are not involved in the game and they make the errors. The Nationals must spend more time in practice working on ground balls and making good solid throws. The team gave the Rays three extra outs to deal with which ended up resulting in a loss for the Nationals. If the Nats can focus on tightening up its defense, that will give them more chances to win.

The starting pitching of the Nationals has had its ups and downs throughout the season. The one bright spot might be Shairon Martis' impressive performances. In 12 starts Martis has compiled a 5.04 ERA, but is 5-1. Other than that, the pitching staff is not good at all. The inconsistency in this pitching staff to get guys out and to minimize the damage has been the story of this 2009 season. It might help however, if the pitchers had a solid reliable defense behind them. Turning the double play, making the throw from 3rd to 1st and even getting the ball to the right cut off man will help this struggling staff. Good defense instills confidence, that will help the pitching staff and eventually the hitting will come.   

For Washington Nationals fans, it may seem like all hope is lost. After a three game sweep by the Tampa Bay Rays, the Nationals fell to a major league worst 16-45. With attendance declining faster and faster with every home date and with rumors of Manny Acta's firing flying about, it is hard to see a bright spot if you are a Nationals fan. Not so fast. There are a few simple ways to turn this sinking ball club around. Small ball and the farm system.

 About six or seven years ago, the Colorado Rockies' management decided to do things the very cheap way after what happened with Mike Hampton. The Monforts simply did not want to risk signing another big name star and not having him perform. Thus, the farm system was the center of attention. The Rockies would draft decent players out of college, develop him in the minors and he would end up turning out all right. The farm system of the Colorado Rockies is one of the best in the major leagues and it is starting to finally pay off. If the Nationals ever hope to get out of the cellar of the East, they must develop their farm system. Draft solid players that have good potential, sign him for a reasonable amount of money and develop him. If the Nationals would take a stab at this strategy, they will improve. This certainly is not an "Easy Button" for fixing a team and it will not happen overnight. However, in two or three years when the players have developed, the Nationals are going to have a decent team.

 The Nationals must develop speed and a little bit of power. Not all players are meant to drive the ball 400' to dead center field. This is where small ball comes into play. The hit and run, the suicide squeeze, it's all part of a master plan to score runs. Small ball incorporates timely hitting as well as discipline at the plate. Taking a fastball down the alley while the man on first swipes second. Being able to hit the ball to the outfield with a man on third to score the run. Very basic things that lead to sparks in an otherwise lifeless offense. Small ball is one of the more entertaining ways to score runs effectively. The Nationals must incorporate small ball into their offense if they ever hope to regain any ground in the East, or if they ever hope to even regain some of their fan-base.