What to watch for: Nationals offseason FAQ

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals enter the offseason looking to improve from a 26-34 record in 2020. They will face decisions on several key veterans in free agency, as well as how to position the team for title contention next season and beyond.

“After we do our summary of 2020, we'll find out what worked, what didn't work, what we have to improve on,” general manager Mike Rizzo said at the end of the season. “By Spring Training, we're hoping to have a roster in place that's going to compete for the National League East championship and the World Series championship."

Take a look at important offseason scenarios, dates and which players could be impacted.

Which players are free agents?
Infielders Asdrúbal Cabrera and Ryan Zimmerman, outfielder Michael A. Taylor, catcher Kurt Suzuki, right-handed relievers Aaron Barrett, Paolo Espino and Javy Guerra and left-handed relievers Sean Doolittle, Roenis Elías and Sam Freeman are entering free agency.

The Nationals already have begun making moves. On Thursday, they agreed to terms with veteran infielder/outfielder Josh Harrison to rejoin the team on a one-year contract.

Eligible players became free agents at 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday, the first day after the conclusion of the 2020 World Series. Free agents may begin signing with any club at 5 p.m. five days after the World Series ends.

• Biggest questions facing Nats this offseason

Did any of them receive qualifying offers?
The Nationals did not extend qualifying offers to any of their free agents before Sunday's 5 p.m. ET deadline.

Which players had options?
The Nationals declined team options for right fielder Adam Eaton ($10.5 million) and starting right-hander Aníbal Sánchez ($18 million), as well as their portion of the mutual options with infielder/designated hitters Howie Kendrick ($6.5 million) and Eric Thames ($3 million). Washington still has to address its team option on utility man Brock Holt ($5 million).

Who might be a non-tender candidate, and when does the club have to make that decision?
The tender deadline is Dec. 2. Elías, who did not pitch in 2020 because of a left forearm flexor strain, had been a non-tender candidate. He cleared outright waivers and declared free agency on Oct. 10.

Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to avoid the Rule 5 Draft, and do they have a crunch for roster spots?
The 2020 Rule 5 Draft is scheduled to take place on Dec. 10 during the Winter Meetings. In this draft, teams without a complete 40-man roster can select specific non-40-man roster players from other teams. The Nats' roster stands at 33.

For this year, players drafted out of college in 2017 at age 19 or older, as well as players drafted out of high school/international players signed in ‘16 at age 18 or younger, need to be protected to avoid the Rule 5 Draft.

Of Washington's Top 30 prospects, the list includes shortstop/third baseman Yasel Antuna (No. 12), catcher Israel Pineda (No. 14), right-handers Joan Adon (No. 16), Sterling Sharp (No. 24) and Steven Fuentes (No. 26), outfielder/second baseman Cole Freeman (No. 28) and outfielder Nick Banks (No. 29), as well as catcher Jakson Reetz.

What are key dates leading up to the Rule 5 Draft?
The Rule 5 Draft protection deadline is Nov. 20. Dec. 3 is the deadline to request outright waivers to assign a player before the Rule 5 Draft, and the last day to outright a player prior to the Rule 5 Draft is Dec. 7.

What kind of help do they need and will they be active in free agency? Who are noteworthy free agents?
While the Nationals have areas in which they need to improve their roster for 2021, they also have the potential future contracts of Soto and Trea Turner to consider when maintaining salary flexibility. Two areas that stand out are pitching, first base and outfield:

• Pitching: The Nationals' pitching staff had the third-highest ERA in the NL (5.09), and the starting rotation could look different next season. They are expecting Stephen Strasburg -- who underwent season-ending carpal tunnel neuritis surgery in his right hand -- to be healthy for 2021, but they have a team option on No. 4 starter Sánchez, and No. 5 starter Austin Voth struggled in his first year in the role. Noteworthy free-agent starting pitchers include Trevor Bauer, Marcus Stroman, Robbie Ray and Masahiro Tanaka.

• First base: This season, the Nats manned first with a combination of Cabrera, Kendrick and Thames. It remains to be seen if any of the trio return to Washington next year. No. 11 prospect Drew Mendoza, who was added to the 60-man player pool in late August, is not projected to make his Major League debut until 2022. If the Nationals eye multi-positional infielders again, Jake Lamb has experience at first and third, a position where he also could share duties with Carter Kieboom.

• Outfield: Right field is in question for 2021, and the Nats could benefit from a heavy-hitting outfielder. They could exercise their team option on Eaton and keep the trio of him, Soto (left) and Victor Robles (center) intact. The club also could shift Soto to right (where he played six games this season) and look to acquire a left fielder, or it could keep Soto in left and fill the role in right. Noteworthy free-agent outfielders include George Springer and Joc Pederson.