Is shortstop Danny Espinosa's job to lose?

The Nationals infield will have a much different look when opening day rolls around in 81 days. Ian Desmond and Yunel Escobar have been subtracted, Anthony Rendon moves to third and reigning National League Championship Series MVP Daniel Murphy takes over at second. Barring injuries, those starters - along with Ryan Zimmerman at first base - are guarantees.

But what about shortstop? Danny Espinosa figures to finally receive the chance to be the Nats' everyday shortstop after waiting behind Desmond for the past five-plus seasons. The slick-fielding Espinosa is arguably the Nationals' best defender, capable of winning a Gold Glove if given the opportunity in his first full season at the position.

After combing to hit just .200/.255/.326 from 2013-2014, Espinosa's bat experienced a resurgence last season. He slashed .240/.311/.409 with 13 homers, 21 doubles, one triple and 37 RBIs in 412 plate appearances. The gritty Espinosa also turned into a super utility man, playing his normal second base and shortstop, and also filling in at first base, third base and left field for the first time in his life.

So is shortstop Espinosa's position to lose? Highly rated prospect Trea Turner seemed to be a possible challenger, but those odds likely lessened when the Nationals inked veteran infielder Stephen Drew to a one-year deal almost two weeks ago.

Drew struggled at the plate the last two seasons, hitting a combined .185, but he did deliver 17 homers in 2015. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was the Diamondbacks scouting director when Arizona drafted Drew in the first round in 2004.

"Stephen Drew is capable of playing every day at both shortstop and second base," Rizzo said. "He's capable of playing third base. He's a great veteran player that's very versatile. He swings the bat from the left side. I've got a track record and history with him. He's a great kid. He's loved by his teammates and a guy that should get a lot of at-bats for us at a multiple array of positions."

Turner, 22, received a taste of the majors last season, hitting .225/.295/.325 in 44 plate appearances. He possesses tremendous speed, potentially projecting as the Nationals' leadoff hitter in the future. But there have been some questions regarding Turner's arm strength at shortstop.

"I feel very comfortable that he could play shortstop," Rizzo said of Turner. "I know he can play second base. I've seen a lot of shortstops in my time and he ranks right up there with all of them. He's an extremely skilled player. He gets the balls. He makes the routine plays look routine and he seems to get you out at first base by a step."

So while most believe Turner will begin the season in the minors, Rizzo says he'll have the opportunity to make a case beginning next month at spring training in Viera, Fla.

"We love competition," Rizzo said. "Trea is gonna come to spring training with the rest of the big leaguers and compete for a job at shortstop. We love the depth that we've created there. His talent level is extremely high and we've got extremely high hopes for him. We're gonna develop him the way that he should be developed."