Nationals looking to make music at Winter Meetings in Nashville

The next few days in Nashville figure to be fast and furious as baseball's brass converges on the famous Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center for the annual Winter Meetings. You're likely to find Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo in the middle of some aggressive wheeling and dealing, with several important decisions on the horizon following a disappointing 2015 campaign.

Chief among the Nationals' concerns this offseason was overhauling the bullpen after a dreadful second half. Right-handers Casey Janssen and Craig Stammen are out, as is veteran lefty Matt Thornton. Right-hander Drew Storen wants a change of scenery after losing the closer's job in late July and then ending his season prematurely with a broken hand in frustration six weeks later. The 28-year-old is drawing interest, but only has one year remaining on his contract.

And then there is the issue of correcting the Jonathan Papelbon mess. Rizzo has said that it will take a strong deal for the Nats to trade Papelbon. But it's likely to happen to prevent carrying the embarrassment into next year from the veteran closer's season-ending suspension for choking MVP Bryce Harper. The Nationals will likely have to eat a chunk of the $11 million they owe Papelbon in 2016. The veteran right-hander also has limited no-trade protection, but that's not expected to stand in the way of a deal.

Veteran left-hander Oliver Perez reportedly signed a two-year deal to join the Nats bullpen on Friday, though the team has yet to officially announce the move. Darren O'Day is the best free agent reliever available and multiple reports have the Nationals as the favorite to sign the right-hander while in Music City. O'Day made his first All-Star team last season after going 6-2 with a 1.50 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 65 1/3 innings in 68 appearances for the Orioles. He's expected to receive a four-year deal worth $32-34 million.

The Nationals may also be looking to sell high on Yunel Escobar. The 33-year-old experienced one of his best seasons at the plate in his first season in Washington, slashing .314/.375/.415 with nine homers and 56 RBIs. Rizzo acquired Escobar last January to play second base, but multiple injuries to Anthony Rendon created an opening at third. Escobar filled the hot corner void, but Rendon is expected to move back to third next season. The Nats could shift Escobar to shortstop, where he played for most of his previous eight years in the bigs, or send him back to second base. But they also have Danny Espinosa available for both middle infield positions and rookie shortstop Trea Turner waiting in the wings.

Escobar is set to make $7 million in 2016 with a $7 million club option for 2017 and a $1 million buyout. There were some questions about Escobar's character when he arrived in Washington, but the veteran had no issues inside the Nats clubhouse.

"I can't tell you enough how much I love playing with that guy," Bryce Harper said recently of Escobar. "Such a great teammate, so much fun to be around."

Following the last game of the season, Harper said he would like to see "another left-handed bat and hopefully a huge right-handed bat" to hit in front of or behind him in the lineup. Harper had a monster season without the likes of Jayson Werth, Ryan Zimmerman, Denard Span and Rendon consistently surrounding him in the lineup.

Switch-hitting Ben Zobrist is a free agent target who can play second base and outfield - and just about any other position. At 34, Zobrist's age could be a bit of a concern, considering he's reportedly looking for a four-year deal in the neighborhood of $60 million. He batted .276/.359/.450 with 13 homers and 56 RBIs in a season that ended with a World Series championship after being traded from the A's to the Royals.

Gerardo Parra is another attractive free agent option for the Nats. They were linked to him at the trade deadline last year before Parra ended up in Baltimore. The 28-year-old would bring a left-handed bat and the ability to play any outfield position. Parra batted .328 in 100 games with the Brewers, but his production slipped to .237 in his final 55 contests after the trade.

The Nationals should be a major player in Nashville this week and we'll be right in the middle of the action to bring the latest rumors and news.