Could the Nationals pursue another big bat this winter?

The Nationals' top needs this winter are fairly clear-cut. They need a closer, whether they re-sign Mark Melancon or acquire someone else. They need a catcher, whether they bring back the rehabbing Wilson Ramos, give Pedro Severino a chance or look outside the organization. They need to decide whether Trea Turner is their center fielder or shortstop, and address any domino effects of that decision.

Here, though, is a less clear-cut question currently facing the Nationals front office as the hot stove league commences: Do they need another big bat that could be inserted into the heart of their lineup?

On the surface, the answer to that question is a succinct no. The Nats weren't lacking for offensive production this season. They ranked fourth in the National League in runs scored, fourth in home runs, fifth in slugging percentage, fourth in OPS. They had six players hit at least 20 homers, becoming only the third team in NL history to make that claim.

Ignore the numbers for a minute, though, and consider the eye test. You might draw a different conclusion. Though this was a well-balanced lineup capable of production from just about any spot in the batting order, it was lacking in true impact offensive players.

Yes, Daniel Murphy had an MVP-caliber season. And, yes, Turner was a transformational figure once he took over leadoff duties. But outside of that, the Nationals got good - not great - production from everyone else.

Bryce Harper had a down year by his incredibly lofty standards. Ramos had an All-Star campaign, but tailed off down the stretch before tearing up his knee. Anthony Rendon was weak in the first half, strong in the second half. Jayson Werth had his moments, but isn't the hitter he once was. Ryan Zimmerman endured the worst season of his career.

Which isn't to say all of that will hold true again in 2017. It's more than reasonable to expect significant improvement from Harper, who probably was battling some kind of physical ailment for a large chunk of this season. Rendon could duplicate his second-half performance over the full season and resemble his outstanding self from 2014. Zimmerman could return to something resembling his previous form. And Werth could tick up a bit and enjoy one last hurrah in the final season of his contract.

But how much of that can you actually assume will happen? And no matter what, the Nationals still are looking at a drop-off in production from their catcher and (barring another move) are looking at another season of Danny Espinosa in their lineup.

As things stand, the Nats would be fielding an opening day lineup along these lines...

CF Trea Turner
LF Jayson Werth
RF Bryce Harper
2B Daniel Murphy
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Ryan Zimmerman
SS Danny Espinosa
C Pedro Severino

Those are some awfully big question marks in the sixth, seventh and eighth spots. So it's fair to wonder if this team would be wise to pursue not just any other bat but a top-tier one, perhaps a right-handed slugger who could be placed in the heart of that lineup between Harper and Murphy, in the process adding more depth to the unit.

Who's out there who fits that bill? What about Yoenis Cespedes?

Yes, Cespedes. Remember, the Nationals made a late run at the outfielder last winter before he decided to return to the Mets on a deal that included an opt-out after one year (which he enacted after the World Series).

This is a guy who hit .280 with 31 homers, 86 RBIs, a .354 on-base percentage and .884 OPS this season in New York. That's more homers than anyone on the Nationals hit, more RBIs than anybody other than Murphy, a higher on-base percentage than anybody but Murphy, Harper and Turner, and a higher OPS than anybody but Murphy and Turner.

But where is Cespedes going to play in the Nationals outfield? The Mets tried him in center field, and it was not good. And they already two well-established corner outfielders.

All true. The addition of Cespedes would probably require Harper to shift to center field (where he has played before, but where his legs would take more of a pounding) and then either Werth to shift back to right field or Cespedes to play a position he's never played in the big leagues.

So that's not an ideal scenario. But also keep this in mind: It would only be this way for one year. Werth is entering the final year of his $126 million contract, and while it's possible he could return in 2018, the Nationals can't proceed just assuming they can get by with a starting outfielder who will turn 39 early in that season.

One way or another, the Nats are going to need to start looking at long-term replacements for Werth in the relatively near future. Cespedes (a Gold Glove left fielder as recently as 2015) sure would make sense long-term.

Now consider the lineup the Nationals could field if they made that move...

SS Trea Turner
RF Jayson Werth
CF Bryce Harper
LF Yoenis Cespedes
2B Daniel Murphy
3B Anthony Rendon
1B Ryan Zimmerman
C Pedro Severino

Or Werth could be bumped down to the sixth spot, with everybody else moving up a spot to maximize their plate appearances.

Is this the perfect scenario for the Nationals? Maybe not, but general manager Mike Rizzo didn't rule out the possibility of Harper playing center field when asked about the possibility two weeks ago.

"I like Harper in right," Rizzo said. "I think that's his natural position. He's really improved in right field, but he's a terrific center fielder also. He's one of those guys that does gives us versatility in what kind of acquisitions we're trying to make. If that answers your question, I like him in right but he's very capable of playing a good, solid defensive center field."

The offseason is just beginning, and there are no shortage of other possibilities out there for the Nationals to consider.

But when considering how this team might try to improve this winter, don't just assume it'll be as simple as acquiring a closer and a catcher. There could be bigger fish ripe for the catching out there.