The Nationals addressed their vacancy at first base on Thursday by acquiring switch-hitter Josh Bell from the Pirates. In exchange, Washington sent right-handers Wil Crowe, its No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, and Eddy Yean, its No. 6 prospect, to Pittsburgh. Bell, 28, is entering his sixth Major League season.
The Nationals addressed their vacancy at first base on Thursday by acquiring switch-hitter Josh Bell from the Pirates. In exchange, Washington sent right-handers Wil Crowe, its No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, and Eddy Yean, its No. 6 prospect, to Pittsburgh.
Bell, 28, is entering his sixth Major League season. Last year, he slashed .226/.305/.364 with a .669 OPS and eight home runs in 57 games. Bell was an All-Star in 2019, when he ranked in the top 10 among National League players in RBIs (116, sixth), OPS+ (142, seventh), doubles (37, eighth), homers (37, ninth), slugging (.569, ninth) and OPS (.936, 10th).
In his career, Bell has hit 261/.349/.466 with an .814 OPS. He averages .271 against righties compared to .232 against lefties.
“We are thrilled to be adding a player of Josh Bell’s caliber to our team,” Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement. “He adds a switch-hitting power bat to our lineup. And we know Josh will be an outstanding addition to our clubhouse and our community.”
There was a hole at first base following a season in which the position was manned by committee. Howie Kendrick announced his retirement on Monday, while Asdrúbal Cabrera and Eric Thames are free agents. Ryan Zimmerman, who was part of the Nats’ plan at first before he elected not to play in 2020, also is a free agent.
It remains to be seen how Washington will back up the first base position. Last season, Bell started 35 games there, where his fielding percentage dipped to .984. He DH’d his other 21 games.
Bell already received a welcome from the Nationals on social media. Trea Turner tweeted his excitement shortly after the trade was announced. Bell joins another Josh on the Nationals -- former Pirates teammate Josh Harrison.
Let’s go my man! @JBell_19 💣💣💣
— Trea Turner (@treavturner) December 24, 2020
Crowe is a former second-round Draft pick who earned the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year award in 2018, when he went 11-0 with a 2.69 ERA for Class A Advanced Potomac. Last season, the 26-year-old made his Major League debut and went 0-2 with a 11.88 ERA over three starts.
Yean, 19, signed with the Nationals out of the Dominican Republic for $100,000. In two seasons of pro ball DSL Nationals, GCL Nationals and Class A Short Season Auburn, he is 3–5 with a 4.70 ERA in 21 games (20 starts).
Jessica Camerato covers the Nationals for MLB.com. Follow her on Twitter @jessicacamerato, Facebook and Instagram.
December 25, 2020 at 02:33AM
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