Top five offseason storylines for the Nationals

It happened much sooner than anyone around here wanted, but it's now officially the offseason in D.C., and there's nothing anybody can do to change that.

This figures to be quite a compelling offseason for the Nationals, who will be motivated to do what they can to put themselves in a better position to advance deeper into October in 2017 than they did in 2016.

At the same time, most of the necessary pieces are already in place. General manager Mike Rizzo doesn't have to do a whole lot this winter if he doesn't want to, though recent history suggests he'll still do something big and unexpected.

There will be plenty of time for all of this to play out over the next few months, but let's start today with a simple primer. Here are the top five storylines facing the Nationals before they report to their brand-new spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., in four months ...

1. Is Trea Turner a center fielder, a shortstop or a second baseman?

There's no question that Turner will be taking the first at-bat for the Nationals on opening day against the Marlins (barring injury, of course). But before he steps to the plate in the bottom of the first, what position will he take in the field in the top of the inning?

The idea all along was that he'd be the Nats' long-term answer at shortstop or perhaps second base. But center field became a far more pressing need this year, so Turner was thrown to the wolves as a first-time outfielder and actually was quite successful there. Might the Nationals just decide it makes the most sense to leave Turner where he is and make him a full-time outfielder? Or would they rather move him back to his natural spot in the middle infield and find another center fielder elsewhere?

Others are tied into this decision. Are the Nats willing to go through another season with Danny Espinosa as an everyday player? Are they willing to ride with Ryan Zimmerman at first base, or could Daniel Murphy see more time there, opening up second base for Turner? And if Turner doesn't stay in center field, who will be out there? Would the Nationals bring back Ben Revere after his hugely disappointing debut season here?

2. Who's behind the plate?

The Nationals already faced a tough decision when Wilson Ramos was healthy and finishing off his All-Star campaign before becoming a free agent. Now, after Ramos tore the ACL in his right knee during the season's final week, the situation has become ever more muddled.

The Nationals love Ramos, and the feeling is mutual. But what kind of commitment can they reasonably make to a 30-year-old catcher coming off his second major knee injury?

If not Ramos, though, where do the Nats turn? Is Pedro Severino ready to be a starting catcher in the big leagues? Is Jose Lobaton enough of a complement to him?

3. Do they need to have better insurance for Jayson Werth and Zimmerman?

Both veterans got off to rough starts at the plate this season. Werth got better and proved he's still a productive player who can get on base and hit for some power. Zimmerman struggled throughout, though he did finally find his stroke during the brief playoff run.

The problem now is that Werth will be turning 38 next season, the seventh and final season of his contract. What can reasonably counted upon from him? Zimmerman is only 32, but his body probably feels older than that. He's got three more guaranteed years on his contract.

It's entirely possibly both guys will be relatively healthy and productive again in 2017. But can the Nationals afford to just count on both of them to do that, or do they need to find some better alternatives in case either is either unproductive or injured?

4. Any changes to the starting rotation?

The Nationals don't have to do anything here. They could very well go into 2017 with the exact same rotation they had going into 2016: Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Tanner Roark, Gio Gonzalez and Joe Ross. But that's hardly a given at this point.

Strasburg ended the season injured, and though there was some hope he might return if the club advanced to the World Series, it's still impossible to say with 100 percent certainty that his right elbow will be 100 percent healthy with no risk of serious injury come next year.

Gonzalez, meanwhile, is coming off his worst season since 2009 with Oakland. The Nationals hold a $12 million option on him for 2017. They could choose to buy him out for $500,000 and make him a free agent instead.

The alternatives should the Nats make a rotation change would include Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez, who were underwhelming as rookies this season. Or would they dip their toes into the free agent waters and bring somebody more experienced into the fray?

5. Who's the closer?

It feels like this has been a question several times before, but it's going to remain a question this winter. Mark Melancon did a fantastic job after his late-July acquisition from the Pirates, but he's now a free agent. Do the Nationals make a serious run at re-signing him, even if it requires a three- or four-year commitment?

If not, who else closes? Do they take a shot at one of their homegrown arms like Koda Glover? Or do they feel the need for somebody who's done it before? There will be no shortage of big names out there, including Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen.