Not being in the least bit sentimental, this is my basic stay/go:
1) Outfield - this is easy. Robles, Soto, Eaton, Taylor and Stevenson. Stevenson has gotten a lot better the last two years and showed he can decently pitch hit this season. Taylor, if he can just cut down on the strikeouts, he's a very decent 4th outfielder. That's a pretty solid 5. Parra goes because he really, really slowed down in August and September. He still had some clutch hits, but not enough to make my roster.
2) Catcher - this is tough. Suzuki will be 37, which is ancient for catchers. Maybe Read is good to go, maybe they sign a free agent. Since Severino didn't pan out (or did but not for us), the Nats are back to having sub par catching.
3)First base- I like the idea of bringing Zim back for a smaller price. He gets $2 million from the buyout, so offer him one year at $5 million or so or even a 2-year deal. There won't be many takers for him on the open market, but an insult contract might lead him to retire. As to the other 1st baseman, maybe that's where Howie goes. Marmalejos looks to be the latest AAAA 1st baseman the Nats have almost developed in the minors, but he looks to be in the same crowded boat that goes all the way back to Larry Broadway. Maybe the Nats get a cheap free agent, maybe even Matt Adams.
4)Second base- Dozier is definitely gone. Howie can't handle it, Difo was basically demoted and forgotten, Cabrera might be the solution but his defense isn't too great. This could be a free agent signing for starter.
5)Shortstop - Turner
6) Third base- Rendon or a free agent. Kieboom needs another season at AAA to get his defense improved, but he'll get a call-up sooner or later next season. He just won't be the Rendon replacement
7)Starters - I think Strasburg comes back, if not, they'll sign a free agent. For the 5th slot, one of Voth/Ross/Fedde will do. I think all three could be adequate #5 guys.
8)Relievers - Doolittle, Rainey and Suero will be back. Strickland may be non-tendered, and Elieas too, but both won't cost much in arbitration so i think they at least get tendered and make it to spring training. Hudson could be resigned for fairly cheap as well, and I would finally convert Fedde or Ross to a full-time reliever if they don't make it as the 5th starter. Guys like Austen Williams and even Koda Glover might be in the mix. Still, they need to budget for at least 2 decent ($multi-million) relievers, and not retreads like Rosenthal.