Did Burnett earn a major league contract for 2017?

As we transition into offseason mode here, we've been reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We conclude today with Sean Burnett, who returned to D.C. in September and impressed.

PLAYER REVIEW: SEAN BURNETT

Age on opening day 2017: 34

How acquired: Purchased from the Twins, August 2016

MLB service time: 8 years, 116 days

2016 salary: $1 million

Contract status: Free agent

2016 stats: 0-0, 3.18 ERA, 10 G, 0 SV, 0 BS, 5.2 IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 1HR, 1BB, 3SO, 0 HBP, 1.059 WHIP, 0.1 WAR

Quotable: "It's been a long road. There were some tough times and some tough days where I questioned whether my arm was ever going to feel good again to be able to get back to this level and be able to compete at this level. It was just great to be back." - Sean Burnett

2016 analysis: A standout performer in the Nationals bullpen from 2009-12, Sean Burnett had fallen off the radar in the three years since. After signing with the Angels in 2013, he battled serious arm injuries and required the second Tommy John surgery of his career. The left-hander sat out 2015, then got a chance to come to Viera this spring as a non-roster invitee.

Burnett pitched well - he didn't allow a run in nine Grapefruit League appearances - but the Nationals weren't confident his arm would hold up over a full season. He wound up bouncing around the minors, pitching for the Triple-A affiliates of the Dodgers, Braves and Twins before finally rejoining the Nats farm organization in August.

Come September, Burnett finally got his chance to return to the big leagues. And he made the most of the opportunity, allowing only two runs in 10 appearances and only six batters to reach base in 5 2/3 innings. He made a case for inclusion on the Nationals' postseason roster, but the club chose to go with Marc Rzepczynski, Oliver Perez and Sammy Solis instead.

2017 outlook: Burnett is a free agent again, hoping to secure a guaranteed contract this winter. The fact he both pitched well and avoided injury - he finished with 57 total appearances and a 2.38 ERA across the minors and majors - should give teams reason to believe he's worth the investment.

Burnett doesn't throw as hard as he used to - his average fastball velocity has dropped from 91.4 mph in 2011 to 88.1 mph in 2016 - but his gameplan always has been more about inducing weak contract than striking batters out. So he should be able to be effective over the long haul, provided his arm holds up.

The Nationals have a longstanding relationship with Burnett, who has always considered this to be his preferred place of employment. Whether that all results in a reunion in 2017 remains to be seen, but it's certainly within the realm of possibility.