Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals and free-agent closer Rafael Soriano have agreed to a two-year, $28 million contract with a vesting option for a third year. The option vests if Soriano finishes at least 120 games over the first two seasons.

Jeff Passan had it first:

Heads or tails?  Heads, Adam LaRoche goes to the Boston Red Sox. Tails, he goes to the Washington Nationals.  You choose—at least that's what it seems to have come down to this offseason.

The National League contains some of the strongest pitching rotations all of Major League Baseball,  and the Washington Nationals rank right there amongst the game's best.

Former Montreal Expo Ross Grimsley has company.

Gio González became the second 20-game winner in franchise history as the Washington Nationals inched a little closer to the National League East title.

The Washington Nationals have struggled behind the plate this season after Wilson Ramos was lost to injury in May.

Bryce Harper continues to improve with every game that he plays, as does every one of the Washington Nationals.

After the Nats were swept in Miami at the hands of the Marlins, they have won eight of their last ten and the last five in a row.

Voting for the 2012 All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City is under way, with the first results being released this past Tuesday.

One name missing from the ballot is Bryce Harper's, and many are probably wondering the same thing I am—does he deserve to partake in the weekend's events?

Let's just take a look at his numbers.

Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper are the future of the Washington Nationals. 

Strasburg will be the ace of a formidable starting rotation for years to come, and Bryce Harper will anchor the outfield and the lineup with his five-tool talent. The future is in good hands. 

Here are seven reasons why the Washington Nationals need to quickly sign both players to long-term contracts to ensure the successful future of the franchise.

The Washington Nationals are being cautious with Ryan Zimmerman since his DL stint earlier this season.

Zimmerman was originally in the lineup on Tuesday but was scratched after manager Davey Johnson forced him to sit according to Amanda Comak of the Washington Times.

The Washington Nationals bullpen appears to be in trouble and Chien-Ming Wang is on his way to the MLB to provide some help.