Andre Dawson received 358 votes, or 65.9 percent, last year in Hall of Fame balloting. After eight years, will this be the year "The Hawk" is elected to baseball immortality?

A seven-time All-Star, Tim Raines dominated from the Expos' leadoff spot in the 1980s, and he thinks that warrants his election to the Hall of Fame.

If the Nationals sign Mark Teixeira, what are their plans for Nick Johnson? Would they be better off landing a high-priced slugger or a pitcher? Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers these and other questions in his mailbag.

The Nationals have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday to decide whether to offer arbitration to free agents Aaron Boone and Odalis Perez, neither of whom are considered Type A or B free agents.

As far as his injured left foot goes, Kearns said he doesn't have any problems with it now and he is able to work out. In 2009, however, Kearns may find himself fighting for an everyday job.

Nationals right-hander Tim Redding had surgery on his left foot Friday and is expected to be ready for Spring Training.

The Nationals continue to show they are winners off the field when it comes to giving back to the community. The team visited local schools and hospitals and donated over 23,000 baseball tickets to youth in the D.C. Metro Area.

Before the 2008 season started, left-hander Michael Hinckley wondered if he had a future in baseball. After a successful year, Hinckley is considered the main left-hander out of the Nationals' bullpen.

A baseball source confirmed on Wednesday that the A's have examined Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson's medical records, but the clubs have not yet talked about a possible trade.