Biggest losers?

The upcoming negotiations with Strasburg and his agent, Scott Boras, will be prolonged and intense for the Nationals, and not just because Boras - who wants a record-smashing deal for Strasburg - is involved. The Nationals upset fans last season when they failed to sign pitcher Aaron Crow, their first draft selection.

On negotiations with Strasburg, Kasten would only say, “We expect to get the player signed.’’

Years from now - and not many, Kasten believes - the half-empty park on South Capitol Street may be full. The Nationals lost 102 games last season, and they’re potentially headed for a worse result this year. The fans have stayed away, and Kasten knows the Nationals need to compel them to come.