Nats reportedly a finalist for Scott Kazmir, but what about Tanner Roark?

How satisfied is Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo with the starting rotation as we approach the new year? The starting five was solid in 2015, but certainly not the wrecking ball rotation predicted to destroy the National League en route to the postseason. Right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister have departed via free agency, leaving openings behind aces Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg and left-hander Gio Gonzalez.

It's assumed right-hander Tanner Roark will regain his spot in the rotation a year after losing it last offseason with the addition of Scherzer. And Joe Ross is expected to return to the starting five after an impressive rookie campaign that saw the 22-year-old bump Fister into the bullpen.

The Nationals also have depth in the minors with some impressive young arms projected as major league starters. Lucas Giolito, 21, is considered the top pitching prospect in all of baseball. The 6-foot-6, 255-lb. right-hander with a high 90s fastball and filthy curveball will appear in his first major league spring training in February and could debut with the Nationals by mid-season.

Right-hander Taylor Jordan, 26, is still looking latch on after making 15 starts for the Nats over the past three seasons. And 23-year-old righty A.J. Cole is aiming for a big year after getting a taste of the majors in 2015.

But could Rizzo be back in the hunt for starting pitching? Strasburg becomes a free agent after the 2016 season and will likely be difficult to retain. And there was even a CBSSports.com report of a brief trade discussion regarding Gonzalez after the Marlins inquired about the left-hander.

"I'm happy sliding Tanner and Joe in the rotation," Rizzo said in November. "With that said, you never have enough good starting pitching." At the Winter Meetings a month later, he added: "We're not coming here looking for a front-line starting pitcher. But when opportunities arise, you never, never know what we're going to do."

Rizzo was interested in free agent Mike Leake while in Nashville, but the courting cooled and the right-hander inked a five-year, $80 million deal with the Cardinals on Tuesday. USA Today reports the Nationals are among the finalists for free agent left-hander Scott Kazmir, along with the Royals, Athletics, Orioles and Astros.

Kazmir, who turns 32 next month, went 7-11 with a 3.10 ERA while fanning 155 with 59 walks over 183 innings in 31 starts for the A's and Astros in 2015. The three-time All-Star has posted a 98-90 record with a 3.96 ERA over 11 years in the majors. CBSSports.com reports Kazmir has received offers in the range of three years for $36-$39 million.

As for Roark, count new pitching coach Mike Maddux as a fan. Asked if he anticipates Roark joining the rotation next season, Maddux responded:

"Why not? It's his job to lose. He's come out of nowhere (in 2014) and won 15 ballgames. You gotta admire a guy like him. I mean, holy cow! Talk about the typical blue-collar layman that goes out and wins 15 ballgames and makes a little notch in his belt for him. That's pretty good, man. Easy to root for and I'm rooting for him big time."