The Washington Nationals have a lot to look forward to coming into the 2015 MLB season. The Nats finished last season atop the National League with a 96-66 record and an NL-leading +131 run differential. They had a disappointing playoff run, though, as they lost to the eventual World Series champion San Francisco Giants in six games in the NLDS.

The Nats made some productive moves in free agency this offseason, signing a huge deal with pitcher Max Scherzer, the 2013 American League Cy Young winner. The 29-year-old Scherzer has peaked since 2012, posting a gaudy 55-15 record over the last three seasons with the Detroit Tigers. This addition will improve upon an already stellar Nats pitching rotation, which led Major League Baseball in ERA last season. Unfortunately, the Nats have too much pitching, and last year’s surprise success story, righty Tanner Roark, will be left out of the five-man rotation and moved to the bullpen.

Washington made some other smaller moves as well, trading veteran reliever Tyler Clippard for infielder Yunel Escobar, who will play second base and replace the departed Asdrubal Cabrera. Former first-baseman Adam LaRoche signed with the White Sox, so Ryan Zimmerman will take over duties there.

The Nats hope to improve on last season with a deep playoff run, led by the addition of their new ace, Scherzer, and the return of their bright young talents in Anthony Rendon, Stephen Strasburg, and Bryce Harper.