Losing Adam Dunn to the White Sox left the Nationals with a hole to fill at first base, and no clear answer as to how to do so. One theory was to move Mike Morse out of the crowded outfield rotation and see how he performed — and after devoting a sizable chunk of payroll to Jayson Werth, a personnel shuffle didn’t seem too far-fetched. Instead, the Nationals did the unthinkable and went and got another free agent, signing veteran first baseman Adam LaRoche to a reasonable two-year contract. If you’re not excited yet, I’ve designed a three-step plan for any Nationals fan to get pumped about our new first baseman.

Next year’s Nationals season is already shaping up to be a real bummer. First, no Strasburg. Now, Washington Post columnist Thomas Boswell seems pretty sure that first baseman Adam Dunn — who the Nationals didn’t trade this summer, though there were certainly suitors — will not be returning to the club next year. Boswell says that the team has likely decided (though admittedly “[n]ot formally”) against offering a new deal to the slugger, who has smashed 72 homers and knocked in 196 runs in the last two seasons in a Washington uniform, because the front office’s vision of the future is “golden gloves or spectacular defensive range or powerful arms everywhere they look – and Dunn doesn’t fit that model.”

Adam Dunn admires his yard work in the sixth inning, this his secondin a 5-1 win against L.A. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)Canadiens 2, Capitals 1: The Caps couldn’t wrap up the series in Game 5, and now have to head back to Quebec for what will certainly be a challenging Game 6. Be sure to visit us tomorrow morning for our full report. Nationals 5, Dodgers 1: Ah, Teddy would be proud. Adam Dunn smacked…

Pay attention, kids. Josh Willingham is displaying how to correctly swing a bat.(AP Photo/David Kohl) Nationals 5, Reds 4:: Adam Dunn, Josh Willingham and pinch-hitter extraordinaire Ryan ZImmerman provided all the offense Washington needed to overcome a four-run fifth inning from the Reds and win their first series on the road since the middle of June. The three sluggers had big games in support of John Lannan, who looked incredibly average for the second…

Adam Dunn is congratulated by Cristian Guzman, right, and a batboy after putting the Nats into the lead last night. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari) Nationals 6, Marlins 4: Remember what we said about big innings? Well, the Nationals sure got one last night — a six-run explosion in the bottom of the eighth which led them to their first win of the season against the Marlins. Adam Dunn put the exclamation point on the…

The reservation should be under Dunn, party of four. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) >> Nationals 13, Padres 1: Well, the Nationals started about as well as they could have: a triple from Nyjer Morgan and a home run by Ryan Zimmerman staking them to an early two-run lead. And then it started raining. And then it kept raining. Three hours and ten minutes later, the top of the order picked up right where they left…

We mentioned it briefly at the end of the day yesterday, so by now you’ve heard that the Washington Nationals have signed outfielder/firstbaseman Adam Dunn, breathing a bit of off-season life into what’s been a fairly tepid winter for last year’s worst team in baseball. Dunn theoretically adds some much needed pop to the anemic Nats offense. The left-handed power hitter has hit 40 homeruns in each of his last 5 seasons, and has…

UPDATE (4:10pm): Nuthin! Per Barry Svrluga, the Nats passed the trade deadline without making a move, despite a flurry of late rumors. While they might make minor moves in August (like last year with Livan), they decided against moving Rauch or Cordero. Let’s hope Chief’s feelings aren’t hurt and he strikes out Dunn for the save tonight! UPDATE (2:35pm): The Red Sox, rumored to have sought after Cordero since last winter, have reportedly filled their…

News and notes surrounding Washington’s loveable cellar-dwellers: Belliard Signs Extension: Though he was widely considered the Nats most moveable commodity, he and the team agreed to a 2-year, $3.5 million extension to keep big Ron in D.C. Belliard’s versatility makes Manny Acta’s job much easier for the next few years with his ability to play multiple infield positions, his willingness to be a bench player when needed, and his veteran leadership. In the meantime, his…