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Nationals sign Josh Bell – MLB trade rumors

Josh Bell Coming back to Washington, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the first baseman has signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Nationals. Bell is represented by Boras Corporation.

With Nathaniel Lowe being acquired just last week to become the Nationals’ new everyday first baseman, Bell is now likely to be the preferred designated hitter. Lowe, a left-handed hitter, and Bell, a switch-hitter, have had their careers spread fairly evenly, but Bell can occasionally step in at first base when Washington faces left-handed pitching. Bell’s changeup bat also brings more balance to the Nationals’ predominantly left-handed lineup.

In his career, Bell’s previous stint in Washington, D.C. may have been his most consistent stretch during his nine seasons in the MLB. The Nationals acquired Bell from the Pirates in the 2020-21 offseason, and Bell hit .278/.363/.483 with 41 homers in 1,005 games starting from Opening Day 2021 until he was Part of Juan’s team was traded to the Padres.

Unfortunately for Bell and the Padres, his bat went cold after the trade, although his overall offensive output was enough for him to earn NL Silver Slugger honors at the DH position. It also led to a two-year, $33MM contract with the Guardians that winter, but Bell didn’t perform particularly well during his first four months in Cleveland before he was once again traded at the deadline. trade, which sparked another Heat streak while he helped the team.

The pattern continued at last July’s deadline, when Bell once again found himself transferred from the Marlins to the Diamondbacks. Bell hit just .239/.305/.394 in 441 PA for Miami last year, but his bat was resurrected again after the trade and he hit .279/.361/.436 in 162 PA for Arizona. Starting first baseman Christian Walker is temporarily off the injured list.

More coming soon…

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