Nationals Inquisition

– Josh Whitesell appears back in the Nationals organization.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, first baseman Josh Whitesell is back with the Nationals after signing a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training or so says Nationals.com. The Nationals also hooked in infielder Eric Brunlett with the same sort of deal from the Phillies. Brunlett is most known for turning the only unassisted triple-play to end a game in National League history against the Mets which automatically makes him a friend of ours.

Whitesell, a 27-year old lefty hitter had a .346 on-base percentage in 46 games with the D-backs last year and was 23-for-115 (.200) with two home runs and 15 RBIs in 53 career games with Arizona.

Whitesell has been a sort of wildcard staple at Nationals Spring Training the past two years. He is there, we know he is there, but he never seems able to crack the roster because either Nick Johnson returned from injury or no one could find first base because Dmitri Young was sitting on it. The NQ doesn’t see much change on the horizon for Whitesell considering it is highly doubtful he could uproot Adam Dunn at the position– unless he can hit 39 homeruns in a season.

Look for Whitesell to start the 2010 campaign (barring disaster) in the minors. Brunlett will be looked at as a possible “super utility guy” much in the same vein as Willie Harris, but he’ll probably end up with the same fate.

But smile, Nats fans. The snow is melting, the oranges are ripening, the space shuttle is prepping for launch and Josh Whitesell is back on roster.

It must almost be time for Spring Training.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The NQ will not be posting until Jan. 3rd due to having business elsewhere. Upon our return, we’ll be back full time.  Rockin’.