Wire Taps: Washington Nationals’ arms in the Josh Bell trade; Nats’ 2021 rotation talk + more

Josh Bell was the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2020 nominee for the Roberto Clemente award, which is. “... bestowed annually to the player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.” He was asked this past weekend, after he was traded to D.C. in a 2-for-1 deal with the Bucs, if his efforts in the community would continue in his new home.

“I’m excited,” Bell said. “I can definitely pick [Josh Harrison’s] brain just a little bit. Get in touch with the team a little bit more, and I think that especially after this year it was really tough to get out in the community and really see tangible results, so I’m excited to hopefully have somewhat of a normal world once the vaccine gets introduced to the public and I’m able to go out and see the good that I can do.”

“One day at a time, obviously, but I’m definitely excited to see all the good we can do in 2021.”

Go read your links, then go out and see what good you can do in the last days of 2020 and first days of 2021...

NATS BEAT:

With Josh Bell deal, Eddy Yean and Wil Crowe join list of young arms Nats have traded away - (WaPost)
“Last Thursday, on the afternoon the deal was completed, Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington projected both Crowe and Yean as major league starters.”

Dan Kolko on Nats' trade for Bell - (MLB.com)
"Nationals broadcaster Dan Kolko joins MLB Tonight to talk about the team acquiring Josh Bell and how it impacts their starting lineup."

Padres join Nationals as contenders for best rotation with Blake Snell trade - (NBC Sports Washington)
"No one has a more established trio of top-flight starters than the Nationals, who won a World Series behind the efforts of Scherzer, Strasburg and Corbin."

The best Nats to wear each uniform number - (MLB.com)
"*00: OF Brandon Watson, 2005-07 - Watson appeared in 39 games with a .198 batting average across two stints in Washington."

Monday morning Nats Q&A - (MASN)
"We know they still need a corner outfielder. And they could still pursue a third baseman. And, of course, they also need a No. 4 starter and a left-handed reliever."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

Nationals Bet on Josh Bell To Bolster Middle of Lineup - (FanGraphs)
"Last season, Bell’s strikeout rate ballooned, his walk rate fell to a career low, his power evaporated, and his overall output vanished."

Nationals acquire Josh Bell from Pirates - (Beyond the Box Score)
"Bell’s 60-game slump might not be something one would notice over the course of a season, but if we tack it on to the end of last season, it starts to look like an actual down year."

Ranking MLB's best pitchers, rotations who didn't play together – (The Athletic)
"The heading may say 'Nationals,' but this is really a listing of Expos, since the Nats have been around less than any other individual team on this list..."

Braves’ interest in re-signing Marcell Ozuna likely doesn’t hinge on DH - (NBC Sports Washington)
"Ozuna’s defensive limitations are well-documented. He’s accrued 20 errors since 2016, tied for the third-most among outfielders over that span."

NL EAST UPDATES:

Phillies prospect Bryson Stott makes a difference on and off the field - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"Phillies prospect Bryson Stott is making news — good news — in his hometown of Las Vegas."

Steve Cohen is waiting for Mets to make winter splash - (New York Daily News)
"If you’re waiting for the Mets to sign a big-name free agent, know that Steve Cohen is just as anxious."

Here's how prospects are faring in winter ball - (MLB.com)
"Lewin Díaz, 1B (Marlins No. 8) - Acquired from the Twins at the 2019 Trade Deadline as part of the Sergio Romo deal, Díaz slugged a career-high 27 home runs that year between the Twins’ and Marlins’ systems, spending most of the season in Double-A."

Rangers sign ex-Brave Charlie Culberson to minor-league deal - (AJC.com)
"Former Braves utilityman Charlie Culberson signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers, the team announced Monday. It includes an invitation to spring training."