Pirates trade Bell to Nationals

The Washington Nationals found a big bat under the Christmas tree.

Washington acquired slugging first baseman Josh Bell from the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed pitching prospects Wil Crowe and Eddy Yean, it announced Thursday.

Bell held down first base for the Pirates since 2017. He struggled during the shortened 2020 season, posting a career-low .669 OPS with eight homers, 11 extra-base hits, and 22 RBIs over 57 games. However, the 28-year-old was an All-Star in 2019, when he slashed .277/.367/.569 with 37 homers, 37 doubles, and 116 RBIs.

The 28-year-old switch-hitter is two years away from free agency. He's projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn $5.1 million to $7.2 million in 2021, his second year of arbitration.

Bell can provide a major boost to a Nationals team that got little production at first base last year. After franchise icon Ryan Zimmerman opted out, Eric Thames and Asdrubal Cabrera split time at the position, and youngster Jake Noll also played seven games. Together, the trio slashed .233/.305/.397 and contributed minus-0.7 WAR.

The two pitchers headed to Pittsburgh, meanwhile, were ranked as Washington's No. 3 and No. 6 prospects, respectively, by MLB.com.

Crowe, a second-round pick in 2017, struck out 130 batters with a 4.70 ERA over 26 starts in Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Fresno in 2019. The 26-year-old made his big-league debut this summer but was shelled to the tune of an 11.88 ERA and five home runs allowed in three starts.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said in a statement that Crowe "has a chance to compete for major-league innings" next year.

Yean, 19, made his professional debut in 2018. The Dominican Republic native has pitched to a 4.70 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 40 walks over 21 minor-league appearances.