How does Lobaton fit into Nationals' 2017 catching plans?

As we transition into offseason mode here, we're reviewing each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Jose Lobaton, the reliable backup catcher who was thrust into a bigger role after Wilson Ramos was injured.

PLAYER REVIEW: JOSE LOBATON

Age on opening day 2017: 32

How acquired: Acquired from Rays with Felipe Rivero and Drew Vettleson for Nathan Karns, February 2014

MLB service time: 5 years, 138 days

2016 salary: $1.3875 million

Contract status: Arbitration-eligible in 2017, free agent in 2018

2016 stats: 39 G, 114 PA, 99 AB, 10 R, 23 H, 3 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 0 SB, 0 CS, 12 BB, 18 SO, .232 AVG, .319 OBP, .374 SLG, .692 OPS, 0.3 WAR

Quotable: "Loby, since we traded for him, has come as advertised. He gives you an at-bat from both sides of the plate. Can really catch and throw. Frames pitches probably as good as anybody in the league. Puts the right fingers down. Blocks pitches well. Controls the game. And, really, his No. 1 goal is to be helpful to the pitcher, and his offense is secondary." - Mike Rizzo on Jose Lobaton

2016 analysis: Jose Lobaton falls into the same kind of description afforded to most second-string catchers in the big leagues: He's good behind the plate, and anything he does at the plate is a nice little bonus. That's who he has been throughout his three seasons with the Nationals, who remain happy to have him.

Members of the pitching staff continued to compliment Lobaton this season for his work with them, both his game-calling skills and his ability to frame strikes (especially pitches down in the zone). He enjoyed a slight uptick in offensive production this year, particularly against right-handers (he posted a .737 OPS against them).

When starter Wilson Ramos succumbed to a freak knee injury in the final week of the regular season, Lobaton suddenly found himself thrust into a far more prominent role. He wound up sharing starting duties with rookie Pedro Severino in the National League Division Series, but contributed one of the biggest hits of the year: a three-run homer off left-hander Rich Hill in Game 2 that helped propel the Nats to victory.

2017 outlook: Lobaton remains under team control for one more season, and he'll remain quite affordable, expected to make about $1.5 million via arbitration. The question is what role he'll have with the rehabbing Ramos about to become a free agent.

If the Nationals felt like they could bring Ramos back, Lobaton could be used as the short-term starter until the All-Star is ready to return sometime in the season's first half. But that scenario seems like less than a 50-50 proposition.

If the Nationals decide Severino is ready to be the No. 1 catcher, Lobaton could continue to serve as an important No. 2 behind him, probably getting more playing time than he did in the past backing up Ramos.

Or, if the Nationals decide to go outside the organization and bring in a new starting catcher, Lobaton's role could be less-defined, especially if club officials want to keep Severino in the big leagues.