Before we finally flip the calendar to 2021, let's rank the top five Washington Nationals stories of 2020 and take a look at five storylines for 2021

Top 5 Washington Nationals Stories of 2020

No 5: Juan Soto gets a Silver Slugger Award and has a breakout year

While many Washington Nationals observers always knew that there was a star in Juan Soto, many believe it wasn't until the 2019 World Series that the Nation saw Soto become a star. In 2020, Soto's star rose even more within the world of baseball as fans of the National knew that already. Now comes the difficult task of making sure that Soto is a Washington Nationals for life.

No 4: The retirement of Howie Kendrick & Departure of Adam Eaton

While these two stories didn't occur until the offseason, this was a big deal for Washington Nationals fans. Howie Kendrick and Adam Eaton became fan favorites and a playoff hero for the Washington Nationals. Kendrick's retirement and Adam Eaton signing with his former team, the Chicago White Sox, for many put the 2019 Washington Nationals team in the rearview mirror. After the retirement of Howie Kendrick and Adam Eaton signing with the White Sox, there are only 11 players left from the 2019 World Series Champions Washington Nationals.

No 3: Washington Nationals and Fans Robbed of a Celebration Year

Well, this was an undeniable storyline to focus on for 2020. Before COVID started to spread in the U.S., Washington Nationals fans were looking forward to celebrating the 2019 World Series. However, Washington Nationals fans were forced to observe from afar and watch the team raise the World Series Banner from television screens instead of seeing it in person.

No 2: COVID-19's Impact on the Washington Nationals

This storyline could have been the top storyline. However, we felt that we wanted to not focus on COVID like everyone else is surely going to do, so that's why we ranked it second. The Washington Nationals, along with other baseball teams, felt the impact of COVID-19. There were no fans in the stands for all of the shortened 60 game season, owners of teams also lost a lot of money in revenue, and even staff of teams were let go. COVID-19 impacted the Washington Nationals by forcing the team to let go of business staff. Juan Soto didn't play for a couple of weeks to start the season due to a couple of COVID false tests, a team built for a regular length season never found its footing, oh and don't forget the Nationals weren't afforded their time in the spotlight, which they rightly deserved.

No 1: The re-signing of both GM Mike Rizzo and Davey

We wanted to end 2020 on a good note, and a storyline that kind of slipped through the radar of many. Since the team moved to Washington D.C., the Nationals have had a total of eight managers. Not one manager got a contract extension, and that all changed with the extension of Dave Martinez. It was a bit shaky for Martinez, who struggled in his first year in 2017, missed the playoffs entirely in 2018, and then up until the Nationals dramatic comeback from 19-31 in 2019. After the 19-31 start in 2019, many media and fans were calling for his firing. A May 24, 2019 article in the Washington Post titled: "Dave Martinez forced into what he's least comfortable doing: Selling himself," outlined the hot seat that Martinez was trying to navigate. We all know what happened after the series against the New York Mets. Martinez was rightly rewarded with a contract extension but, most importantly, became the first Washington Nationals manager to get a contract extension and establish a winning culture here in Washington D.C.

Many didn't worry that Mike Rizzo's contract extension didn't happen until after the end of the season; even Mike Rizzo himself wasn't nervous. Rizzo came to the Nationals back in 2009 and was promoteed to President/General Manager during the 2009 season. During his tenure, Rizzo had to deal with many ups and downs, oh, and he had the hard decision to shut down ace Stephen Strasburg in late 2012. Many criticized Rizzo for that decision; however, as it turns out, that was the right move to make, which led to Strasburg to end his career here in Washington, D.C.

Download and subscribe to the Nats Report Podcast

Five-Story Lines for 2021

Now that we have turned the page literally on 2020 let's look at some of the storylines that we think will be important in 2021.

No. 5: How will Carter Kieboom perform at the plate and on the field

After the departure of Anthony Rendon, Carter Kieboom was thrust into the spotlight. While he will never replace Rendon at the plate, it was expected that Kieboom would start to develop further at the plate and the hot-corner. 2020 wasn't so nice to Keiboom, so hopefully, with a full spring training, and more reps at third base, Keiboom can stabilize, and the Nationals brass can shift their focuses and resources to other needs; only time will tell.

No. 4: How will the pitching rotation perform this year

Stephen Strasburg didn't pitch a full season in 2020; Max Scherzer is on the last year of his contract, Patrick Corbin wasn't the 2019 version that we saw, and Aníbal Sánchez also wasn't effective as he was during the 2019 NCLS. The Washington Nationals also struggled to find their fourth starter Joe Ross opting out due to COVID, so the Nationals' main strength wasn't firing on all cylinders. Let's hope that in 2021 we will see the Washington Nationals pitching staff's return that we have all grown accustomed to seeing every day. Reports are coming out that Strasburg will return to full strength for 2021, and Max Scherzer will well be Max Scherzer and let's hope that with a full Spring Training Patrick Corbin can get into shape and be the effective pitcher. The only question that might remain open is who will be the fourth and fifth starter in the rotation. Many believe that Joe Ross will fill that fourth spot in 2020; the Nationals should be looking at the free-agent market to get that fifth starter in place.

No 3. Juan Soto's further Development as a Washington Nationals

Getting to see up close every day Juan Soto's developement as a player in the field and at bat is something that we shouldn't take for granted. Many thought at the end of this year, he should have been the NL MVP, so let's hope that comes true for Soto in 2021. Also, it should be no surprie to anyone that if there is an All-Star Game we will be seeing Soto in left field for the National League. The big question that the Nationals need to figure out is how to not let Soto walk after his rookie contract is over. Trying to sign this young star to a long term deal should be discussed at every chance that they can.

No 2. How will COVID affect baseball and its Fans

There wouldn't be a 2021 list if we didn't include something about how COVID will affect us in the upcoming year. As of now, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association haven't agreeded to how long a season will be, Spring Training start date and a host of other issues. According to an article by USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Union and Major League Baseball are at odds whether start of 2021 season should be delayed. From the article: "Major League Baseball executives and owners, wanting players to be vaccinated before arriving to spring training, would like the 2021 season to be delayed until May, even if it means shortening the season to 140 or fewer games.

The Major League Baseball Players Association, believing it proved a year ago that teams can safely adapt to protocols, wants the season to start on time, playing all 162 games with full pay. And here we are, with just two months before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training, and no one has any idea what will happen."

So we will see what happen.

No. 1. Can the Nationals navigate the team being at a Cross Roads

Many believe that the Washington Nationals "window" is about to close or on the way to start closing. With the New York Mets making moves along with the Atlanta Braves and Miami starting to regain its standing in the NL East, and the Phillies confused on whats next, the Washington Nationals are stuck in the middle. District on Deck makes the argument that the Nationals are in fact at a cross-roads. "With plenty of holes and over $90 million invested in the starting rotation, Washington is facing an uphill battle when it comes to bolstering the roster " or the "ther major option is to start a rebuild...and building around Soto and Turner allows for Washington to restock a barren farm system and clear the books of any large contracts."

2021 could prove to become a pivital year for the Washington Nationals franchise, so who's ready??