”What should the Nationals do with Adam Dunn?”
Answer it. Then silently curse out Adam Kennedy.

Friday: Stephen Strasburg (3-2) vs Ricky Nolasco (9-6)
Saturday: Livan Hernandez (6-5) vs Josh Johnson (9-3)
Sunday: Craig Stammen (2-3) vs Alex Sanabia (0-1)

Every week, in an attempt to figure whose headed up and who could be headed down, I’ll give my ranking of the Nationals major league roster.
The Untouchables
1. Stephen Strasburg- Has been as good as advertised, making every 5th day a celebration.
2. Ryan Zimmerman- Just keeps plugging away and is probably the least appreciated star in baseball.
The Trade Chips
3. Adam Dunn- Even though his contracts up, we could get 2 major league ready players in this power deficient market.
4. Josh Willingham- I’d rather not see him traded, but with a year left until free agency he’s got a ton of value.
5. Matt Capps- [...]

From what it looks like right now- on a hot streak, power numbers around baseball down, and the Nationals securely out of contention, Adam Dunn could be the biggest prize of the baseball trade season, the hitting equivalent to Cliff Lee.  Word now comes from the Twitter of ESPNs Buster Olney that there may be no real attempt by the Nationals to re-sign the 30 year old slugger.
Heard this: Would-be free agent Adam Dunn has just about lost interest in working out a long-term deal with the Nationals because of what he perceives to be a lack of urgency from [...]

After showing an actual pulse and taking 2 of 3 from the Padres, the Nats get ready for a 3 game set against the Giants to finish out the 1st half. Matt Cain (KANE!) takes the hill tonight for San Fran against a fella by the name of (checks team website)….Stephen Strasburg. I understand he’s quite good. Saturday will feature Giants lefty Johnathan Sanchez being opposed by Craig Stammen. The 1st half finale will see Livan Hernandez battle Giants rookie Madison Bumgarner. I’ll be back Monday barring something crazy happening tonight with a 1st half review and comprehensive coverage of [...]

After some impressive wins over the Padres on Tuesday and Thursday the Nats will try to lock up just their 2nd sweep of the season tonight against Padres ace Mat Latos. Latos is 9-4 this year with a 2.62ERA and is 8-1 in his last 11 starts. Going for the Nats will be the confusing enigma that is Luis Atilano. Will we get good Luis or bad Luis? Probably bad Luis, but atleast our bats are on fire, the Padres usually great bullpen can’t get us out, and Ian Desmond just played his best game of the year at SS [...]

Tuesday: Clayton Richard (6-4) vs Livan Hernandez (6-4)
Wednesday: Jon Garland (8-5) vs J.D. Martin (0-4)
Thursday: Mat Latos (9-4) vs Luis Atilano (6-5)

Some injury news….
- RHP Jordan Zimmermann threw 2.0 scoreless innings  for High-A Potomac on Saturday and could be about a month away from returning.
- LHP Scott Olson has been progressing well in his rehab and is shooting for a July 20th return to the rotation.

Every week, in an attempt to figure whose headed up and who could be headed down, I’ll give my ranking of the Nationals major league roster.
”The Franchise”
1. Stephen Strasburg- Hasn’t even had 20 professional starts yet. I’m sure these struggles are just an aberration.
2. Ryan Zimmerman- Really Charlie Manuel? Omar fu**ing Infante?
”Trade Chips”
3. Adam Dunn- Should only be traded for major league ready talent.
4. Josh Willingham- Ditto.
5. Matt Capps- I don’t know that many contenders see him as a closer.
6. Cristian Guzman- He’s a good player, but he’s expendable.
”Building Blocks”
7. Drew Storen- Might be the Nats best rookie pitcher.
8. Nyjer Morgan- [...]

Desperate for veteran arms, the Nationals have signed Orlando ”El Duque” Hernandez to a minor league contract. Hernandez, the 44 year old half brother of Nats  starter Livan Hernandez, hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2007 with the Mets, when he was 9-5 with a 3.72ERA.

Thursday- Livan Hernandez(6-4) vs Johan Santana (5-5)
Friday- Luis Atilano (6-4) vs Jon Niese (5-2)
Saturday- Stephen Strasburg (2-2) vs R.A. Dickey (6-1)
Sunday- Craig Stammen (2-2) vs Hisanori Takahashi (6-3)