”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- He’s been great this year, but we have relievers.

They’re Worth More to Us Than to You

6. Livan Hernandez- 22nd in baseball in IP is the highest by any National by far. Trading him would kill the bullpen.

7. Pudge Rodriguez- He continues to hit, isn’t wearing down, and might be the best coach the team has.

Solid Young Roleplayers

8. Tyler Clippard- Already over 5o innings this year, might be skipped over by Storen if Capps is traded.

9. Drew Storen- I’d take him over Aaron Crow anytime.

10. Roger Bernadina- Will be the starter in RF or CF for years to come.

11. Mike Morse- When he’s not in the lineup I throw things.

12. Sean Burnett- Gets guys out and can pitch to either side.

13. Doug Slaten- Ditto.

14. Luis Atilano- Atleast he’s trying. Could be the long man.

Trade em if you can

15. Miguel Batista- Could help a contender as the long man.

16. Nyjer Morgan- Trade him, Bernadina goes to CF, Morse to RF.

17. Cristian Guzman- He’s replaceable and shouldn’t be back next year.

This is why we’re in last place

18. Ian Desmond- He’s stopped hitting, not a good combo with the 666 errors this year.

19. J.D. Martin- He throws strikes and does little else.

20. Alberto Gonzalez- Had the game of his life against Atlanta and has done little else.

21. Joel Peralta- Impressive so far but I’m going to have to see more.

22. Craig  Stammen- Cut him.

23. Wil Nieves- Best skill- Owns a catchers mitt.

24. Willie Harris- Useless

Hurt or Minors

25. John Lannan- What the hell happened to him?

26. Scott Olson- Looks disturbing like Eminem.

27. Tyler Walker- Should be back soon.

28. Justin Maxwell- Has been passed by Bernadina/Morse.

29. Jason Marquis- A complete waste of money.

3o. Matt Chico- He could surprise in the 2nd half.

31. Jesse English- Repetitive with Burnett/Slaten around.

32. Carlos Maldonaldo- Norris is knocking on the AAA door.

Get AIDS

33. Adam Kennedy- Guh.

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 the team in working out a new deal. He does not feel there seems to be the same amount of interest as he has in working out a contract. The Nationals are fast approaching fish-or-cut bait time with the slugger, who is fast approaching his seventh consecutive with 38 or more homers. At a time when power is becoming more scarce in the game, his value would appear to be high in the forthcoming free agent market — if the Nationals don’t move fast. The Nationals have had conversations with other teams about possible deals involving Dunn, and it figures they will trade him if they don’t work out a contract extension in the days ahead. The White Sox are among the interested teams.

In my opinion you offer him a fair deal, and if he doesn’t take it you trade him, put Morse at 1st the rest of the season, and see what happens with Pujols, Fielder, and Adrian Gonzalez in the next few off-seasons.

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 Matt Capps warming up in the 6th inning for the NL All-Star team.

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 last night. Oh and Strasburg pitches tomorrow. Good signs everywhere.

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.

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)