Assessing the Nationals' in-house candidates to close (updated)

We're less than a month from the date pitchers and catchers report to spring training at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches and the Nationals' closer picture is no clearer than it was during the Winter Meetings, when incumbent Mark Melancon signed a four-year, $62 million contract with the Giants.

Since the season ended, with speculation that Melancon would bolt for greener pastures (emphasis on "green"), both manager Dusty Baker and general manager Mike Rizzo have trumpeted the in-house options the Nationals possess for the ninth inning.

Barring an agreement with free agent Greg Holland - the former Royals closer coming off Tommy John surgery - or a trade for David Robertson of the White Sox, it's looking more and more like the Nationals are moving closer to one of those internal options.

But which one?

Right-hander Shawn Kelley filled in for Jonathan Papelbon for a stretch last season, posting seven saves in nine chances during a season where he became a reliable setup man in his first season in D.C. Kelley, 32, doesn't possess a blazing fastball but his .0897 WHIP from last season demonstrates a knack for limiting baserunners. He slid into the ninth inning to fill a need for a few weeks last year, but moving him into the closer's role permanently could have a ripple effect, removing a reliable seventh- or eighth-inning arm from Baker's toolbox.

For several years, scouts have whispered that Blake Treinen could be a future closer, and the righty's stellar 2016 was a step in the right direction. Treinen, who was in the past prone to uneven outings, appeared in a career-high 73 games, posted a career-low 2.28 ERA and recorded his first major league save on July 27 at Cleveland. His sinker continued to improve and the pitch became a double play machine in 2016, when he induced 17 twin killings, the most by any reliever in the majors. At 28, he's just hitting his peak and there appears to be room for growth.

Rookie Koda Glover impressed in a small sample size last season, and certainly has the mettle and demeanor to handle the ninth inning. Baker likes the fact that the 23-year-old shows no fear, and the fact that he pitched through a torn labrum in his hip before shutting it down last season is proof of his competitiveness. Though his 96 mph fastball gets a lot of attention, Glover also features a slider, curve and change. A four-pitch pitcher working the ninth is an intriguing concept, but his age and the labrum injury are concerns. Watch carefully in West Palm Beach how the Nationals use him early on; there could be a hint of what role he'll fill depending on his usage. But long term, Glover could be the answer. And before you dismiss the idea of a rookie closing, both Baker and Rizzo have said repeatedly that every closer has to get his first save sometime, a hint that they're at least considering Glover for the ninth.

Lefty Sammy Solis earned Baker's trust in some big postseason situations last season after emerging as the top lefty option out of the 'pen. He gets strikeouts when he needs them - 47 in 41 innings last year - but still needs to cut down on the walks after averaging 4.6 per nine innings. But you have to wonder if the Nats are willing to put more pressure on lefty Oliver Perez, and that's what would happen if Solis were pegged for the ninth inning. Because Solis has the flexibility to work a batter, an inning or more, he gives Baker a multidimensional weapon. He may be more valuable in his current role.

The sleeper in the conversation could be right-hander Trevor Gott, acquired in December 2015 from the Angels in the deal for infielder Yunel Escobar. After an impressive rookie campaign in 2015, there was chatter that Gott was bound for the ninth inning. His first spring training with the Nationals produced a 2.70 ERA in nine outings, but he walked four guys and surrendered two homers. With lots of arms in camp, the Nats optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse, where he posted a 4.35 ERA in 33 games. He showed something in September after being recalled by the Nationals, recording a 1.50 ERA in nine outings covering six innings. Gott, 24, has averaged almost a strikeout an inning in his minor league career, and if he can get the fastball velocity up a couple of ticks to the 96 mph he flashed in Anaheim, the fact that he features a three-pitch arsenal (fastball, curveball, changeup) could elevate him into the highest of high-leverage situations.

All of this speculation, of course, could change in a heartbeat if the Nationals sign Holland or trade for Robertson. But barring one of those moves coming to fruition, it looks as if the Nationals will go in-house to find a closer.

FanRag Sports reported last night that the Holland derby was down to three finalists: the Nationals, Rockies and a mystery team. However, any movement on the veteran right-hander will wait at least a day, as Holland is traveling to the Dominican Republic to attend the funeral of his former Royals teammate, Yordano Ventura.

Update: Holland has agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal with the Rockies, taking him out of the mix.