Treinen blossomed into trusted escape artist out of bullpen

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Blake Treinen, who stepped up to become Dusty Baker's most trusted reliever in tight situations.

PLAYER REVIEW: BLAKE TREINEN

Age on opening day 2017: 28

How acquired: Acquired with A.J. Cole and Ian Krol from Athletics in three-team trade that sent Michael Morse to Mariners, January 2013

MLB service time: 2 years, 65 days

2016 salary: $524,900

Contract status: Under team control in 2017, arbitration-eligible in 2018, free agent in 2021

2016 stats: 4-1, 2.28 ERA, 73 G, 1 SV, 2 BS, 67 IP, 51 H, 19 R, 17 ER, 5 HR, 31 BB, 63 SO, 0 HBP, 1.224 WHIP, 1.9 WAR

Quotable: "I've been blessed with a sinker, and it makes sense to bring a guy in that doesn't necessarily have to be perfect with it. Being aggressive with that pitch has really helped us out as a team. It's helped me with confidence. And seeing the results this year has probably been a reason why he's called on me." - Blake Treinen on being trusted so often by Dusty Baker to escape jams.

2016 analysis: After pitching somewhat on the periphery his first two seasons in the majors, Blake Treinen stepped into a more prominent role this season for the Nationals. Whenever Dusty Baker needed someone to emerge from the bullpen to pitch out of a tight jam, Treinen got the call more than anybody else.

And for good reason. Only 13 of the 53 baserunners Treinen inherited came around to score, while the 17 double plays he induced were the most by any reliever in the sport.

Fourteen of those double plays came on power sinkers, Treinen's bread-and-butter pitch that he uses when he needs to get ground balls. But one of the biggest keys to his success this season was his slider, off which opponents hit just .118.

2017 outlook: Treinen was a big part of the Nationals bullpen this season, and there's every reason to believe he'll continue to be a big part of next season's relief corps. He could actually see his role increase.

The Nationals figure to acquire a closer this winter, whether re-signing Mark Melancon or some other proven ninth-inning reliever. But there may be some temptation to try to fill the role from within, and Treinen would be among those in consideration for the job.

Even if that doesn't happen, Treinen will be among Baker's first options for late innings. He could supplant Shawn Kelley as Baker's primary setup man. At worst, he'll still be the choice to enter the game with runners on base and a ground ball needed to get out of the jam.