Nats have options, versatility around the infield

Here, 5 1/2 weeks before pitchers and catchers are due to report for spring training, is what the Nationals don't have: a viable replacement for Anthony Rendon. Here, though, is what they do have: a whole lot of versatility and a whole lot of options across the infield.

Friday's signing of Starlin Castro to a two-year, $12 million deal (pending physical) created even more options for the Nats as they try to figure out how to align their infield come opening day.

If the season began today (and thankfully it doesn't, because nobody's ready for that quite yet) they could go around the horn with Howie Kendrick at first base, Castro at second, Trea Turner at short and Carter Kieboom at third. Or they could flip-flop Castro and Kieboom.

That's not a World Series-caliber infield, but the good news is there are certain to be more moves coming. More than one.

The Nationals are still in the market for an everyday third baseman. Josh Donaldson tops the list, as he has ever since Rendon signed on the dotted line with the Angels. They've made a competitive offer for the three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and 2015 American League MVP, believed to be four years for roughly $100 million. If it's true that the Braves, Twins and Dodgers have all made comparable offers, it's probably going to require more to bring him to D.C.

But Donaldson is still a possibility. And if he does end up elsewhere, the Nats can turn their attention to other possible third basemen, though they may have no choice but to seek one via trade. Which would almost certainly cost a top prospect. Such as Victor Robles (unlikely to be dealt) or Kieboom (perhaps more likely to be dealt as the rest of the infield becomes clogged).

Or the Nationals don't have to acquire an everyday third baseman. Maybe they decide to use multiple veterans over there, with Kendrick and Castro among the options along with a yet-to-be-signed free agent who plays multiple positions (like Asdrúbal Cabrera or Neil Walker).

Meanwhile, they'll still make plans to re-sign Ryan Zimmerman at a reduced price, and maybe even add another left-handed first baseman (like Matt Adams, Mitch Moreland or Eric Thames).

Include Kieboom in that scenario, and now the Nationals have an infield that may lack an elite bat like Rendon or Donaldson but would be as versatile as any in baseball and give Davey Martinez the options to play matchups on any given day.

Maybe they'd face an opposing right-hander with Moreland, Castro, Turner and Cabrera one night, then face a lefty the next evening with Zimmerman, Kendrick, Turner and Kieboom.

No, it's not a perfect lineup, but it could work.

Point is, there's still plenty of time and plenty of fish in the sea for Mike Rizzo to lure in. Sure, his No. 1 goal is to catch the one prize yellowfin still swimming around in circles. But if he ends up with a moderately sized salmon, bass and one former Marlin, the Nats might still be able to serve an award-winning meal come spring.