. . . . What if you could make any/all of these guys disappear . . . .

. . . . and you could pick the entire coaching staff for the Nationals using only retired players who once played for the Nationals to replace these guys. And in this universe the only rules are what you say goes. So no one can refuse to fill the role you pick for them as long as you provide an explanation.

Steve and Don will give you our choices. Everyone else is welcome to comment on these or suggest your own.

Don’s Choices

Manager: Mark DeRosa. The manager bug has bitten him. He managed the past US WBC team and lobbied (successfully) to do it again.

Bench Coach: Ian Desmond. When he play SS for the Nats he had a knack for knowing who needed a break or some kind words.

Hitting Coach: Ryan Zimmerman. He has great insights that he shares during the broadcasts. I also like that he is not a one-size fits all like, for example, Darnell Coles and, yes, Kevin Long.

Pitching Coach: Livan Hernandez. He was a great pitcher in his younger years with great stuff; and when he lost that great stuff, he knew how to get outs using junk. He could also double as the bunting coach. A lost skill that still has occasional use cases.

First Base Coach: I am inclined to keep Gerardo Parra. I just like the guy!

Third Base Coach: Adam Eaton. Just have to think he would be good at it. And he almost certainly has to be much better than Gutierrez.

Bullpen Coach: Wilson Ramos. He has already said he would love to coach Ruiz. Here’s hoping he can improve, if not fix, Ruiz.

Assistant Hitting Coach: Howie Kendrick. I just hate the idea that he works for the Philthies.

Pitching Strategist: I am inclined to keep Sean Doolittle as well. I like the idea of a pitching strategist, so why not.

Clubhouse Enforcer: Jayson Werth. I made up a new position for him. Regardless, he needs to be in the dugout to kick [expletive deleted] when needed.

Steve’s Choices

Manager: Max Scherzer would get the energy level up, and he knows baseball and has played under some great managers like Dusty Baker, Jim Leyland, and Bruce Bochy.

Bench Coach: Jayson Werth would add to the energy level and would be in Max’s ear with strategy.

Hitting Coach: Daniel Murphy was a student of the game and one of the best hitters in Nats’ history. He would teach BLDs (boring line drives), and about getting uncomfortable stepping closer to the plate.

Pitching Coach: Sean Doolittle would be the calming voice to Scherzer that you can’t throw every starter for 9 inning games.

First Base Coach: Trea Turner learned from one of the best in Davey Lopes and could not only coach at first base but also teach baserunning.

Third Base Coach: Adam Eaton would be that smart third base coach and bring his knowledge of the outfield to coach the outfielders up.

Bullpen Coach: Wilson Ramos could manage the bullpen and teach these catchers how to call a game better and improve the skills at catcher.

Assistant Hitting Coach: Jose Vidro would work well with Daniel Murphy and could help some of the weaker hitters on how to get those extra hits by having a good plan at the plate.

Pitching Strategist: Stephen Strasburg knows baseball and is now coaching with USA Baseball. He would also bring the knowledge and a great resume’.

Roving Coaches: Ryan Zimmerman and Howie Kendrick would be roving coaches to help out and talk about baseball smarts at the MLB level and minor league level.