Nationals Already Have Answer To Outfield Problem: His Name Is Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper & Jayson Werth: The Future Is Now

After months of repeatedly telling us that priorities at the Winter Meetings would be a starting pitcher and a center fielder, we are now hearing that the Washington Nationals just might start Jayson Werth in center next season and insert Bryce Harper in right.

This whole process is a lot like buying a car at a dealership. No one tells the truth and no one expects you to. That said, what are the Nationals really up to? Are they really content moving Werth to center or was that statement for agents and players as part of the bargaining process?

Personally, I would much rather let Bryce Harper start in right on opening day and give him the opportunity to learn how to hit major league pitching sooner rather than later.

The last thing the team needs is to insert some stop-gap, good-enough-but-not-great center fielder into the lineup until Harper is ready.

Harper is a good enough hitter that he could overcome a potential slow start as he learns how to hit major league pitching and end the season with acceptable-to-good numbers. Unlike Danny Espinosa, who was unable to make corrections last year when major league pitchers figured him out, Harper is a student of the game and more than capable to make corrections as the season progresses.

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Given a full season, Harper should be able to hit .270/.340/.475 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI, give or take. And by 2013--when the Nationals should really be able to contend--he would have had enough time at the major league level to hopefully blossom into the star we all think he'll become.

Hopefully, team general manager Mike Rizzo comes away from Dallas with that starting pitcher he wants, but really, the outfield should be just fine.

All Bryce Harper needs is a chance.