Could the Nats sign a closer?

Joakim Soria is a free agent after missing all of 2012 due to injury. (Photo by AP)

Despite receiving much of the blame for the Nationals’ devastating loss in Game 5 of the NLDS, the team appears confident in closer Drew Storen. The 25-year-old saved 43 games in 2011 and was excellent for most of 2012 up until the playoff disaster. He was a first round pick for the Nationals and replacing him after one terrible outing would be quite the knee-jerk move.

But even with Storen back, and Tyler Clippard in the fold, the Nationals could conceivably look for an insurance policy. Last season they signed Brad Lidge in late January to seemingly fit that role, but that experiment didn’t work out. One could see Washington going after a similar veteran this offseason with hopes for a better result.

Here are some of the best relievers on the market this year and how they may fit in with the Nats:

RHP Rafael Soriano (32 years old) - $11M in 2011

2-1 – 2.26 ERA – 1.167 WHIP – 42 SV – 67.2 IP

Soriano is by far the biggest prize of the 2012 closer free agent market and therefore an unlikely fit for the Nationals. It can’t be ruled out, but the Nationals