Eckstein works... I guess...

Even though it was the pitchers and catchers who reported on Friday, six position players showed up, and Nick Johnson was one of them. New hitting coach Rick Eckstein was in the cage working with hitters, including Johnson, Kory Casto, Ian Desmond, Pete Orr, Justin Maxwell, and Willie Harris. Johnson was the one to watch, as he will compete for the first base job come opening day. He was recently called by Eckstein to watch videos of his swing, and it turns out it needs work, as his left elbow was way too low (right) at the time of the swing, when he went to left field. "Rick showed me the tapes of my swing, and I realized I had been doing it wrong my whole life." They watched swings from Nick Johnson, dating back from his debut with the Yankees, in 2002. Eckstein also wants Johnson to start hitting on where the pitch is (inside pitch, hit to right field, down the middle, go to center field, etc...). The last six days Eckstein has thrown batting practice and they feel Johnson has made considerable improvement. "Even though it still feels awkward, I think my swing has gotten a lot better." Johnson's wrist still isn't fully 100 percent from last years injury at Shea, but he said he is close. If Johnson's swing becomes a lot better, this might mean the nats would want him back for next year, mean they should deal Milledge, and even that probably wouldn't happen.

In other news, Shawn Hill threw a bullpen session without feeling any pain. He has not had one healthy season in his seven year career of professional baseball, but he has high hopes for next season. He is not projected to be in the rotation, but Manny Acta said if Hanrahan can't handle the closer role, Hill would be a canidate. I like the idea of Hill as a closer, because he has great stuff and a lot of strikeouts, his arm is built for only pitching one inning, and look at what Kerry Wood did last year. If Hill isn't a starter, the rotation should be: 1. Lannan, 2. Cabrera, 3. Scotty Olsen, 4. Bally-star, and 5. Zimmermannnnnnnnnn/Hill/Chico. The nats want Olsen in front of Cabrera, because he is a better pitcher, and I have Cabrera in front of Scotty to mix up rightys and leftys. People always say that the #1 starter has to be the best because they are the best. As long as you start every five days it doesn't really matter.

23 players were signed on friday. They are: outfielders Roger Bernadina, Leonard Davis, Elijah Dukes and Justin Maxwell, infielders Kory Casto and Ian Desmond, catchers Jesus Flores, Luke Montz and Wil Nieves. Pitchers Luis Atilano, Collin Balester, Matt Chico, Tyler Clippard, Ross Detwiler, Marco Estrada, Joel Hanrahan, Mike Hinckley, John Lannan, Shairon Martis, Garrett Mock, Saul Rivera, Steven Shell and Terrell Young, all of them were one year deals. The ones who have not yet signed a contract are: Jason Bergmann, Mike O'Connor, Alberto Gonzalez, Lastings Milledge, Josh Willingham, and Ryan Zimmerman. Willingham and Zimmerman are arbitration-eligible.