[pumph]

I took the 2013 Nationals. I traded LaRoche, Chad Tracy and Tyler Moore early in 2013 and wound up with Mitch Moreland as my everyday starting 1B.

I also picked up Mike Gonzalez to give me a great lefty in the pen.

Other than that, I rode them out and won the World Series. I trailed the Braves most of the season, but eventually overtook them. Beat (swept) the Red Sox in the World Series.

The bigger challenge with the Nats is 2014 though, and I really am enjoying it.

The owner was an economizer and wanted major payroll cuts. With Worth's no-trade, it made it very difficult.

I couldn't extend Haren (who was actually quite good for me), and eventually was able to deal Werth by benching him long enough to piss him off. Didn't get much for him, but the payroll relief was enough.

Now, I'm trying to find a good deal for Soriano - who led my league with 55 saves in '13. His $13 million is too much for a closer, especially in these tight times for me.

Also got rid of Espinosa, Suzuki, Stammen, Clippard, and a few others - mostly just for cash, because I needed it so badly.

My three "big" FA signings were Omar Infante, Franklin Gutierrez and Jeff Francis. It's much more fun playing "moneyball" than just overpowering people with an insane payroll.