Is there any place for Cabrera on Nats' roster next year?

Our offseason player review series continues today with Asdrúbal Cabrera, who struggled to consistently produce this season.

PLAYER REVIEW: ASDRÚBAL CABRERA

Age on opening day 2021: 35

How acquired: Signed as free agent, August 2019

MLB service time: 13 years, 27 days

2020 salary: $2,685,000 (prorated $1,110,926)

Contract status: Free agent

2020 stats: 52 G, 213 PA, 190 AB, 23 R, 46 H, 9 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 31 RBI, 0 SB, 0 CS, 19 BB, 40 SO, .242 AVG, .305 OBP, .447 SLG, .753 OPS, 98 OPS+, 1 DRS (at 3B), -1 DRS (at 1B), 0.0 fWAR, -0.1 bWAR

Quotable: "He was a big re-sign for us again, coming back this year. He can play. He can hit from both sides. He drives the ball. Drives in big runs. Plays third base, made a really nice play at third base. He can still play. I love him on this team. He's one of those guys who really brings the energy, believe it or not. He's not afraid to get on a young guy when he needs to. He's that guy." - Manager Davey Martinez, July 25 on Cabrera

2020 analysis: The Nationals re-signed Cabrera last winter with the idea he'd again serve as a key figure off the bench who could fill in at several infield positions if the need arose. By the time opening night arrived, he found himself as the starting third baseman. By midseason, he found himself the team's regular cleanup hitter.

That should tell you how things didn't go according to plan for the Nationals this year. It's not as much a knock on Cabrera as a reflection of the injuries, opt-outs, free agent losses and diminished production from others that forced him into a larger-than-expected role.

Early on, Cabrera was worthy of all the playing time and high-profile lineup position, especially against left-handers. Through Aug. 11, he was a staggering 8-for-10 with three doubles, two homers and a 2.500 OPS versus southpaws. Trouble is, those gargantuan numbers remained in Martinez's mind as he filled out his lineup cards the rest of the way, leaving Cabrera batting third or fourth even as his production fell off a cliff: Over his final 40 games, he hit .212 with a .279 on-base percentage and .649 OPS.

One bright side: Despite his lack of experience at third base during his career, Cabrera handled the position very well. While Carter Kieboom often looked stiff and unsure of himself, Cabrera was always smooth and in complete control. He also played a decent first base when needed over there, though nobody would ever confuse his agility and physical presence with Ryan Zimmerman.

2021 outlook: Cabrera is again a free agent, and the Nationals again must decide if it's worth bringing him back for another season. It's difficult to imagine they would re-sign him with any intention of playing every day at any of the infield positions. He would again serve as a backup and fill-in starter.

Thing is, do the Nats really need him for that role anymore? Josh Harrison does just about everything Cabrera does (aside from switch-hitting) and already was re-signed for 2021. And if Howie Kendrick returns, that's another veteran who can play multiple infield positions, further marginalizing Cabrera.

Unless the Nationals spend so much money to address other needs and head into next year with no alternative to Kieboom at third base, the notion of bringing Cabrera back seems unlikely.