WASHINGTON (AP) For the first time since 2011, the Washington Nationals will go through a season without any help from Bryce Harper.

So it's rather likely this year will be viewed, at least in part, as a referendum on whether the Nationals should have figured out a way to keep the young slugger.

"Everyone wants this answer: Is it better or worse without him? You can't say one way or the other. Our chemistry and our vibe - whatever you want to call it - is really good. It's one of the best that we've had in years. And people will read that and say: `Oh, well, because Bryce is gone.' No, it has nothing to do with that," Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. "If he re-signed here, and we signed all these other guys as well, it could be the same. You don't know. Everyone wants to talk about (Harper), which I get, but I think everyone in here is really happy with the group we have."