A quietly busy offseason

If you look strictly at the moves that the Nationals have made so far this offseason, it might seem like members of the organization's front office have been kicking back and enjoying some down time over the last few months.

We all know that's far from the truth, but in terms of actual additions to the organization, it's been almost entirely minor league deals and trades to improve the club for future seasons.

Outside of re-signing a few minor leaguers who were already in the Nats system last season, here are the moves the Nats have made this offseason:

* Claimed right-hander Eric Fornataro off waivers
* Traded left-hander Ross Detwiler for Single-A right-hander Abel de los Santos and Single-A infielder Chris Bostick
* Traded outfielder Steven Souza Jr. for Double-A right-hander Joe Ross and a player to be named (who will be Single-A shortstop Trea Turner)
* Signed right-hander Heath Bell to a minor league contract
* Signed infielder Ian Stewart to a minor league contract
* Signed second baseman Dan Uggla to a minor league contract

Putting all that in different terms, Fornataro has been the only outside addition to the 40-man roster so far this offseason.

This doesn't all mean that the Nationals haven't been busy this winter, however. If you look at all that general manager Mike Rizzo has had to juggle and all the different dealings that the Nats have been a part of, you can see how it's been a pretty crazy offseason for this ballclub, despite the lack of moves.

Rizzo has needed to assess the Nats' chances of re-signing Jordan Zimmermann, Doug Fister and Ian Desmond - three Nationals entering their walk years - and determine which (if any) of those guys could realistically be kept in the fold beyond 2015. The importance of this task can't be overstated.

The Nats have entertained trade offers for Tyler Clippard, another valuable member of the club who is set to be a free agent after this season.

Rizzo had to negotiate with Scott Boras to avoid going to a grievance hearing with Bryce Harper, the two sides eventually reaching terms on a two-year, $7.5 million deal.

They now know Jayson Werth will be out for two to three months, possibly intensifying their need to add another experienced outfielder on a minor league deal.

They have looked around for potential upgrades at second base, and considered dealing for the Rays' Ben Zobrist. Last night, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reported that the Nats were a part of a discussion that could have led to Desmond being traded in a three-team deal including the Rays and the Mets, with New York getting Desmond, the Nats getting Zobrist and shortstop Yunel Escobar, and the Rays getting two top Mets prospects.

The deal ended up falling through because the Mets felt the price on their end was too steep, per Rosenthal, but this had the makings of a blockbuster trade that would have had a major impact on the Nats' on-field product this season.

Yes, the Nats have been quiet this offseason in terms of actual contracts signed and trades finalized. But given all the different moving parts they've had to deal with and all the discussions they've been having, this might end up being one of the busier offseasons the organization has had in some time.

And we've still got more than five weeks to go until spring training begins.