"If the Washington Nationals sign Prince Fielder but don't extend the contract of Ryan Zimmerman whose deal runs out after two more seasons, then by Opening Day 2014 almost the entire Washington starting lineup — seven players — may be clients of agent Scott Boras.

These pieces would fit together ideally, putting each player in his natural place in the batting order and in his preferred defensive position, while creating a balanced lineup that combines speed, power and hitting from both sides of the plate. So many of the players would be young, the total Nats payroll might remain at mere mid-market levels. And with just a few sane contract extensions to non-Boras pitchers, this entire team could stay together through 2017 and perhaps go to multiple World Series.

But Boras would have as much influence on a franchise as any agent since Mark ("The Power of Nice") Shapiro represented the large majority of the best Oriole players during their two-pennant 1977-83 run. Team Scott is an elegant possibility, and might have results just as excellent; but Boras could also loom over a club with an owner then almost 90, an unproven heir and a general manager whose contract ends after 2015.

Picture this lineup — with Boras' clients in bold. If every Nat played to current "projections," this actually would be the most likely 2014 team.

1. Brian Goodwin, a first-round Nats draft pick last year, or Michael Bourn , a free agent next winter, who has gold gloves and base-stealing titles, is in centerfield. Both are left-handed-hitting speedsters and natural leadoff men.

2. Anthony Rendon, paid $7.2 million to sign, takes over third base from Zimmerman. A stat clone of Lance Berkman in college at Rice, Rendon is projected as a .300 hitter, Gold Glove candidate and good No. 2 hitter early in his career. "