Here are some answers to your questions. Keep those e-mails coming. Thanks a bunch.

How much authority will general manager Jim Bowden have in determining whether Frank Robinson and his coaching staff are retained or not? Or is that Tony Tavares' decision to make? -- John N., Ottawa, Ontario

Bowden will have the authority to make the decision on Robinson and his staff. Those decisions most likely will not be made until a new ownership group is in place. According to sources, some in the organization want Robinson back, but want to make changes to his coaching staff. The Nationals are looking to hire "high-energy coaches," according to a source.

Is there any chance that Rafael Furcal could be pursued by the Nationals this offseason? -- Duke A., Washington

I don't see how it could happen when the Nationals have Cristian Guzman at shortstop. Guzman will be starting for the Nationals next season because of his huge contract.

Do the Nationals have any big-time sluggers in the Minor Leagues ready to play in the Major Leagues? -- Mo R., Silver Springs, Md.

The Nationals do not have any big-time sluggers in their farm system. Kory Casto led the organization with 22 home runs and is not considered a player who is capable of hitting 40 home runs. Washington hopes to draft some sluggers in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft.

Do you believe that if Brad Wilkerson played only one position, his concentration and hitting would improve? -- David E., Owensboro, Ky.

I don't buy that theory. The only way Wilkerson becomes a better hitter is by learning the strike zone and cutting down on the strikeouts, which killed many rallies for the Nationals this past season.

In terms of his defense, some in the organization felt that Wilkerson made a lot of fundamental mistakes. I don't think that had anything to do with Wilkerson playing more than one position.

Why don't they move Nick Johnson to leadoff spot? I know he's a slow runner, but he gets on base all the time and draws lots of walks, too. -- Garin S., Avon, Ind.

There's no chance Johnson will be the leadoff hitter. Robinson tried that experiment during Spring Training. It worked, but in the long run the Nationals saw Johnson as a run producer.

Are the Nationals expecting to keep Gary Bennett or are they going to be looking for a backup catcher in the offseason? -- Thomas M., Charleston, S.C.

I don't think the Nationals will re-sign Bennett. While I thought Bennett was miles ahead of Einar Diaz, who was the Expos' backup catcher in 2004, there are some in the organization who were disappointed in Bennett's production, especially behind the plate. One team source complained that something negative happened whenever Bennett was behind the plate. Bennett often let balls go between his legs and his pitch selection was questioned.

Is it possible Brendan Harris may be up as a result of him being one of the leading hitters in the Arizona Fall League? -- Megan W., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Harris is a long shot to make the team. He is going to have to show everybody that he can field. During Spring Training last year, Harris was good with the bat, but was below average with the glove, which was the reason he didn't make the team.

How are the Nationals going to be able to compete in the National League East financially? Also, if a delay in naming ownership continues, won't the Nationals be decimated by free agency losses? -- Steve W., Ellicott City, Md.

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It's wrong to say that the Nationals will be decimated by free agent losses if ownership is not in place, because they are not going to re-sign most of their free agents anyway.

Bowden has gone on record as saying that Esteban Loaiza and Hector Carrasco are the team's top priorities. The chances of Preston Wilson, Tony Armas Jr. Carlos Baerga, Joey Eischen and Bennett re-signng with the club are slim. The organization feels it can get better players via trades or the free agent market.

I spoke to Bowden on Monday and he seems confident they can compete in the National League East from a financial standpoint. He has already had preliminary talks with the agents for starters A.J. Burnett, Kevin Millwood and Jarrod Washburn.

"All the top pitchers that are in the market place, we have interest in them and hope to pursue them within our budget," Bowden said. "We have a great start to our rotation with Livan [Hernandez] and [John] Patterson. We are going to add to those two pitchers. No matter what the budget number is, there is going to be room for at least one big starting pitcher."

What do think is going to happen with Tyrell Godwin? I think he has proven he belongs in the big leagues. -- Kevin T., Charlotte, N.C.

Godwin made tremendous strides last year, however, the organization is not sure if he is ready for the big leagues. According to a source who watched him play, Godwin still needs work on his base running and he still makes mistakes in the outfield.