Do you think Elijah Dukes will play center field and Lastings Milledge will move to left field in 2009?
-- Rich R., Slingerlands, N.Y.

There is no question Dukes can play center field, but it will depend on how his right knee is doing. It appears he came back too soon after knee surgery because we saw him limping during the final weeks of the season.

As for Milledge, he will be moved to a corner position, according to people I have talked to in the organization. He did an adequate job in center field, but he didn't help his case to remain there by playing too deep during the last month of the season.

Do the Nationals have any building blocks? This team doesn't look like a Major League roster.
-- Scott C., Washington, D.C.

They do have building blocks. Let's start with Ryan Zimmerman, Jesus Flores, John Lannan and Milledge. I think the jury is still out on Dukes because of his on- and off-the-field behavior. No doubt he is a talented player.

There is no question that the team needs to improve dramatically. The Nationals must acquire better starting and relief pitching. I think they need to rethink their outfield situation. Austin Kearns is not the productive player general manager Jim Bowden expected. Milledge must be moved to a corner outfield position.

The team must get a first baseman. No one questions Nick Johnson's abilities, but he gets injured too often and he can't help the Nationals if he can't stay on the field. In order for Dmitri Young to be a factor, he must lose weight and control his diabetes.

Is right-hander Jason Bergmann still a part of Nats' long-term plans?
-- Frank H., Northampton, UK

Right now, Bergmann is on shaky ground because he had a bad year in 2008. He is one person who can't say he wasn't given a chance. Going into next season, I have to say that he is not part of the rotation. Collin Balester, Shairon Martis and Jordan Zimmermann are ahead of Bergmann right now.

Now that he has shown a 91-92 mph fastball and command of two other pitches, is Mike Hinckley a candidate for the rotation in 2009?
-- Roger B., Bethesda, Md.

After he didn't give up any runs over 13 2/3 innings, the Nationals consider him a late-inning reliever. His days as a starter are over.

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The Nationals have made a lot of player moves in the past 12 months. What grade would you give them in that regard?
-- Mike E. Springfield, Va.

I give the team an "A" for effort and a "D" for the way the moves worked out. I'm going to stand by what I said months ago: I thought the moves Bowden made were good. I was one of many who thought the team would be better than the 2007 club, but players such as Paul Lo Duca, Johnny Estrada and Rob Mackowiak ended up being released. You have to give the team credit for acquiring Anderson Hernandez and Alberto Gonzalez. I think they are going to be good players if they are given a chance.

Can you update us on the contract status of players after this season?
-- Rich R., Slingerlands, N.Y.

Free agents: Aaron Boone, 1B; Odalis Perez, LHP
Eligible for arbitration: Jesus Colome, RHP; Chad Cordero, RHP; Willie Harris, OF; Ryan Langerhans, OF Tim Redding, RHP; Zimmerman, 3B.
Player options: Wily Mo Pena, OF, $2 million.
Club options: Pena, OF, $5 million.

I'm a big supporter of Cordero. Can you tell me what his future is with this team?
-- Heywood U., Tampa, Fla.

Cordero will be non-tendered and become a free agent. I stand by what I said before. He will seek employment elsewhere.

Why hasn't there been any love for right-hander Steven Shell? His ERA is one of the lowest on the squad. He seems to be a quiet kid. Shell does his job and has been a rock since his June callup.
-- Matt E., Washington D.C.

You are right. He didn't get a lot of publicity because the team wasn't very good. Besides, other people on the club, such as Dukes, Milledge, Zimmerman and the coaching staff, dominated the headlines.

Bowden and manager Manny Acta said they want to obtain a slugging left-handed bat. What are the chances of them obtaining first baseman Mark Teixeira to fill that roll?
-- Jim T., Beaufort, S.C.

Teixeira is going to cost a lot of money this offseason. Whether the Nationals spend that kind of money remains to be seen. I see Bowden making a trade for a first baseman before I see the Nationals spend a lot of money on one player.