What would Nats lineup look like at this point?

We haven't talked much about the Nationals roster in the last two months, because the roster hasn't changed at all in the last two months. So it might be time for a refresher on the current state of things, because it's easy to forget what this team currently has in place for 2022 and what it still needs to address once everyone's allowed to address needs again.

Obviously, there will be an opportunity to add players as soon as the lockout ends, though it could be quite a mad rush by all 30 clubs to fill their most-pressing holes before spring training begins. But if they were required to open camp only with what they already have in-house, what would the Nats look like?

We'll split this into two parts, with the pitching staff on tap Thursday. Today, we'll focus on the potential lineup and bench.

What's most striking is how few sure things are already in place. There's Juan Soto, batting third and starting in right field, of course. With Josh Bell batting behind him at first base. And at this point, there's every reason to expect Keibert Ruiz to be the No. 1 catcher and Lane Thomas to be leading off, whether in center or left field.

Beyond that, though, manager Davey Martinez's lineup could go any number of directions.

Who's the third starting outfielder alongside Soto and Thomas? Is Victor Robles going to win his job back after an abysmal 2021 that ended in Triple-A Rochester? Has Yadiel Hernandez shown enough to merit regular time in left field? Has Andrew Stevenson missed his shot to be an everyday player, leaving him destined for bench duties?

The picture is even more jumbled in the infield, where several players (both veteran and young) could figure into the mix, many of them at more than one position.

Alcides Escobar is back after an out-of-nowhere return to the big leagues, but is the veteran the starting shortstop or a utility infielder? The largest contract the Nationals have given anyone so far this winter went to César Hernández, whose $4 million deal would seem to guarantee him a starting job, most likely at second base. But what does that mean for Luis García, still in the organization's long-term plans but now maybe at shortstop (despite his inferior defensive play there compared to second base)?

And then there's Carter Kieboom, still here and still trying to live up to his top prospect ranking despite a lack of evidence at the big league level to support it. Does Kieboom get another shot at third base, or might he be squeezed out of this equation?

For the first time in a long time, the Nationals have two promising young catchers in Ruiz and backup Riley Adams. (And you might even include Tres Barrera in that conversation, based on his better-than-expected showing last summer.) One of Martinez's biggest challenges might be finding more at-bats for Adams, especially if Ruiz looks like the real deal and wings up catching 120 games.

Could Adams be Bell's backup at first base in that scenario? Perhaps. But what about the guy we haven't even mentioned yet, the longest-tenured player in the franchise, the one who still hasn't revealed his intentions for 2022?

Yes, Ryan Zimmerman. He's not currently employed, but because he ended the season on the 40-man roster, he remains a member of the Major League Baseball Players Association, and thus is subject to the lockout. So we're going to have to wait a bit longer to learn if he intends to return for another season or hang them up following what felt like an emotional farewell last October.

And then there's the other big unknown that will affect not only the Nationals, but every team in the National League: Is there going to be a designated hitter? Most observers around the sport expect that long-suggested change to come this year, but for now it remains strict speculation, with no official word from Major League Baseball.

Let's say the DH does come to the NL this year and attempt to put together an opening day lineup. ...

LF Lane Thomas
2B César Hernández
RF Juan Soto
1B Josh Bell
DH Ryan Zimmerman
C Keibert Ruiz
SS Luis García
3B Carter Kieboom
CF Victor Robles

This would leave a bench of Adams, Escobar, Stevenson and Yadiel Hernandez, all of whom could be inserted into various lineup combinations depending on matchups. Hernandez would be an obvious DH choice against certain right-handers. Adams could also DH at times, as well as starting behind the plate when Ruiz needs a day off. Escobar could start at shortstop, second base or third base. Stevenson could start in left or center field, especially if Robles struggles.

That lineup is ... well, it's not what we became accustomed to around here from April 2012-July 2021, but neither is it the weakest lineup in the league, if guys live up to their potential. The bottom three is the biggest question mark, with three guys with a huge variance of possibilities this season.

None of this is to suggest that general manager Mike Rizzo is done assembling a lineup. There's ample reason to believe he'll seek at least one, if not two more big league position players once the lockout ends: one outfielder, one infielder. And if Zimmerman chooses to retire, that could create another opening.

But with no ability to make such moves yet, the Nats can only do what the rest of us continue to do: Pencil out potential lineups on napkins while staring out the window and wondering when this will all mercifully come to an end.