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

Do you think Ryan Church will be the Opening Day center fielder?
-- Asher K., Mountain Brook, Ala.

Right now, I don't see Church starting. The Nationals would like to see Brandon Watson win the job because of his speed and the year that he had at Triple-A New Orleans. If Watson doesn't perform well, then Church is likely to be the starting center fielder.

I read there was talk about the Nationals sending second baseman Jose Vidro and Church to the Cubs for Kerry Wood. This would give the Nationals a good arm and make Alfonso Soriano happy because he could play second base. Do you see this trade going through?
-- Tony M., Derwood, Md.

A source told me there is no truth to that story. Besides, it would be risky to consider acquiring Wood at this time, because he is coming off a shoulder injury. Right now, Soriano will remain in the outfield.

Why don't the Nationals make a move for Sammy Sosa? He is used to National League pitching. With Brad Wilkerson gone, Sosa's strikeouts wouldn't hurt that much. What do you think?
-- Garin S., Avon, Ind.

I've always said I don't put anything past general manager Jim Bowden, but I don't see the Nationals being interested in Sosa. You are talking about a player who is past his prime, and I think the team is better off taking a chance on a player like Church or Watson. The Nationals need to start building for the future, so they shouldn't give playing time to guys in their late 30s.

How do you think all of the distractions surrounding the Nationals will affect them on the field?
-- Kevin F., McLean, Va.

I think the distractions off the field, such as the stadium lease issue and lack of ownership, will have no affect on the team on the field. Manager Frank Robinson will see to it. Remember, this is an organization that had to deal with a grueling road schedule and trips to Puerto Rico the last two years in Montreal and they played hard under Robinson. I expect Robinson to reinforce the same attitude like he did in Montreal.

What do you think the chances are of Vidro being traded for starting pitching?
-- John S., Spokane, Wash.

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I don't think Vidro will get traded. I think opposing teams will want to see how much he has recovered from his right knee injury. If he is traded, it will not happen until after Spring Training begins.

Do you think Jose Guillen will have a better chance of driving the ball out of Robert F. Kennedy Stadium now that he has played a full season at that park?
-- Matthew S., Lovettsville, Va.

It depends on two things: First, Guillen's left shoulder must be healthy. According to a source, Guillen most likely will not start playing exhibition games until mid-March. During the second half, he had a tough time driving the ball out of the park after hurting the shoulder sliding headfirst against the Blue Jays on June 26.

Second, he has to mentally get over the fact that RFK is a big ballpark. Will he change his attitude about the park? He has to, because the Nationals have no intentions of moving the fences in.

How come the Nationals are not trying to re-sign free agent Preston Wilson?
-- Richard F., Waynesboro, Va.

The Nationals didn't offer Wilson arbitration, and he cannot sign with the team until May 1. According to a published report, Wilson is close to signing with the Astros.

With the Nationals in need of a leadoff hitter and the Cubs trading for Juan Pierre, do you see Washington trading for Corey Patterson?
-- Chris D., Walkersville, Md.

Acquiring Patterson to be a leadoff hitter would be a mistake. While Brad Wilkerson struck out a ton, he at least drew walks. Patterson doesn't do that. In my opinion, Patterson should hit near the bottom of the order.

Ryan Zimmerman was the first position player from the 2005 First-Year Player Draft to make it to the Major Leagues. Do you think he'll grow into a star?
-- Farid R., Pocatello, Idaho

I think Zimmerman is the real deal. He's already a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman. I think he will hit for average and drive in runs during his first full season with the Nationals. But I do not think he will hit home runs right away because of the dimensions of RFK Stadium. I think he will be a doubles-type hitter.

Vidro's right knee injury seems to be a lot more serious than people are letting on. Why don't the Nationals either operate or rehabilitate the knee? The uncertainty seems to be dragging on.
-- John W., New Orleans

I spoke to Vidro over the holidays and he told me that his knee is much better after receiving a shot from Dr. John Uribe last November. However, according to a source, Dr. Tim Kremcheck, the senior consultant for the Nationals, stands by his evaluation that Vidro needs a "clean up" in the knee. But Dr. Kremcheck was outnumbered by three doctors -- Uribe, James Andrews and Wiemi Douoguih -- who felt that rehabilitation is the way to go.

I'm wondering what the rotation of the 2006 Nationals will look like.
-- Tyler S., Penngrove, Calif.

For now, I think the rotation will be Livan Hernandez, John Patterson, Ramon Ortiz, Brian Lawrence and Tony Armas. Keep in mind that Ryan Drese and maybe Jon Rauch will have a shot at the rotation as well.

With the signings of Ortiz and Armas, does this mean that Bowden will stop looking for starting pitching?
-- Asher K., Mountain Brook, Ala.

Bowden will never stop looking for pitching. If he could trade for an ace pitcher like Mark Prior, he would do it in a heartbeat.

Who is supposed to be the backup catcher for the Nationals in 2006?
-- Thomas M., Charleston, S.C.

Thomas, that is a good question. In retrospect, one wonders if the Nationals should have kept Gary Bennett, because he is better than the catchers --- Wiki Gonzalez, Mike DiFelice, Alberto Castillo and Brandon Harper -- they signed a couple of weeks ago. They let Bennett go believing that they could sign Todd Pratt, one of the best backup catchers in baseball. Pratt instead signed with the Braves.

Keep in mind that if Gonzalez, DiFelice, Castillo and Harper are not the answers, the Nationals could use Robert Fick as the No. 2 catcher. He started his career as a catcher and played 28 games behind the plate for the Padres last season.