Turning our attention back to the bench

As it stands right now, the Nationals appear to have at least three, and possibly four, of their bench spots for 2015 accounted for.

Kevin Frandsen avoided arbitration the other day, signing a $1 million contract for next season, with another $300,000 in incentives possible. He'll be back as the team's versatile, do-everything right-handed bat. Frandsen can play first, second, third or left field, and is always eager to put on the catching gear and catch a bullpen session when needed.

Jose Lobaton is under contractual control through 2017 and is set to return next season as the Nats' switch-hitting backup catcher. Lobaton finished strong offensively in 2014, and showed that he's one of the better defensive catchers that you'll find in terms of pitch-framing and calling a game. He'll likely make slightly more than $1 million in 2015 through the arbitration process.

Nate McLouth is expected to be healthy and full recovered from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, making him the Nats' fourth outfielder again in 2015. He'll be in the second year of the two-year deal signed last winter, is set to make $5 million next season and hopes to bounce back from what was a disappointing first season in D.C.

Then there's Danny Espinosa, who could end up back as the Nats' backup middle infielder if the team ends up signing or trading for a second or third baseman this winter. Anthony Rendon can play second or third, giving general manager Mike Rizzo some flexibility when it comes to how to round out his starting infield. Espinosa could find himself in the mix for some playing time as a starting second baseman (possibly in a platoon), or he could return as a strong-armed backup.

If those four players listed above - Frandsen, Lobaton, McLouth and Espinosa - all are back in bench roles, that really only leaves one bench spot left to be won.

Steven Souza Jr. had a tremendous 2014 campaign at Triple-A Syracuse, and looks like he's ready to make an impact of some kind at the big league level. Tyler Moore has shown the ability to crush big league pitching in the past and could be in the mix for a roster spot as a backup first baseman behind Ryan Zimmerman. Michael A. Taylor, like Souza, excelled in the minors this season and has a mix of power, speed and defensive ability that could make him a weapon off the bench.

Those are three guys who could factor in when the Nats consider their bench options. And that's before Rizzo even tries to upgrade the bench with any outside additions.

As a team, Nationals pinch-hitters hit .143 in 2014, second-worst in the majors. The OPS posted by pinch-hitters was a lowly .476.

This is a unit that Rizzo will want to improve this winter. He'll look to add more weapons for manager Matt Williams to call upon in the late innings. He'll look to bolster depth by bringing in experienced options.

What does that mean for guys like Souza, Moore and Taylor? It means competition.

Anything can happen in this game, of course, and there are no guarantees that Frandsen, Lobaton, McLouth and Espinosa will all be occupying bench spots in 2015. Injuries change things. Teams change plans.

But as it currently stands, there aren't too many bench spots available for 2015. It will be interesting to see how those five jobs are handed out over the next few months.