Treinen could head into spring training as the favorite for the Nationals' closer job if they aren't able to bring in an established option this offseason, The Washington Post reports.
Experienced closers like Kenley Jansen and Greg Holland are still available as free agents, but if GM Mike Rizzo doesn't bring in anyone from outside the organization, Treinen would be among the top options for ninth-inning duties along with Koda Glover, Shawn Kelley and Sammy Solis. Treinen's never has a K/9 rate over 9.0 in his brief MLB career, so he wouldn't be a typical choice, but he posted a career-best ERA and WHIP in 2016 and his heavy mid-90s sinker can generate plenty of ground balls, much as Mark Melancon's cutter did for the Nats at the end of last season.