The Nationals made the first significant trade of the offseason by bringing in Pirates first baseman Josh Bell in exchange for pitchers Wil Crowe and Eddy Yean. The Nats needed to bring in more power to the lineup and find a new first baseman, and they filled both of those needs in this deal.
They could still use some more offensive firepower, but Bell is certainly a good start. The 28-year-old had a forgettable 2020, batting just .226 with eight home runs and 22 RBI in 57 games, but he was an All-Star in 2019 after hitting 37 home runs and 116 RBI with a .277 batting average.
With Howie Kendrick retiring, Eric Thames departing this offseason and Ryan Zimmerman not under contract and no longer a viable ‘every day’ option, first base was a major position of need. With the addition of Bell, the team can now focus on other positions of need.
While his numbers in 2020 are concerning, there were plenty of other big-name players that struggled in the shortened season and are poised for a rebound in 2021. Bell may not achieve the same statistical success as he did in 2019, but if he can get close to that level, it will be a major win.
The best part about the trade is that it did not require the team to move any of their “untouchable” prospects. Crowe, 26, made three starts in the majors last season, allowing 11 earned runs (including five home runs) and striking out eight batters in 8.1 total innings pitched. He posted a 4.70 ERA across 149.1 innings in Double-A and Triple-A ball in 2019, allowing 48 walks while striking out 130 batters. He was the third-ranked prospect in the Nats’ system prior to the trade, behind Jackson Rutledge and Cade Cavalli.
Yean is a 19-year-old prospect from the Dominican Republic. He put up a 3.50 ERA across 10 starts in Rookie and Low A ball, walking 17 batters while striking out 48. Yean was the team’s sixth-ranked prospect prior to the trade.
The Nats have a relatively weak farm system, so it’s important the team hang on to as many of their top prospects while still being able to build a competitive team today. Giving up two top six prospects isn’t ideal, but given Crowe’s age, it is unlikely he’ll turn into a superstar at this point. Bell fills an immediate need for a team looking to compete, and as long as Rutledge, Cavalli and Mason Denaburg stay with the organization, the top of the farm system will stay in decent shape.
Bell should slide in at the top half of the lineup near Juan Soto and Trea Turner, but the rest of the offseason needs to pass by before looking at the full lineup order. The Nats still have numerous positions to address, including a second catcher, an outfielder and possibly a third baseman if the team does not want to roll with Carter Kieboom.
Bell is set to make just $6 million this season and will be arbitration eligible until he reaches free agency in 2023. That means there will be just under $40 million available before reaching the luxury tax threshold. The team reportedly has been in talks with the Cincinnati Reds about trading for third baseman Eugenio Suarez, which would bolster the lineup even more, and there have even been connections to top free agent JT Realmuto, the consensus best catcher in baseball.
There’s no certainty behind either of those moves, and it’s looking more and more like Realmuto will be re-signing in Philly, but the trade for Bell is a great first step in building this team back into a playoff contender, which will be imperative to keep up with the loaded Atlanta Braves and soon-to-be big spending New York Mets in the division.
Adding Bell is a nice holiday treat for Nats fans, and hopefully won’t be the last big move this offseason.
Cover Photo Credit: Matt Freed/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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