Wire Taps: Washington Nationals hope for more 2019 than 2020 in 2021 or something + more Nats links...

Mike Rizzo said the Nationals have a plan to get Josh Bell back on track in 2021 after a down year for the slugger in 2020. Bell said after the deal from the Pirates was announced on the night before Christmas that the frustration he felt during the 60-game COVID campaign is serving as motivation for him as he’s preparing for what will be his sixth big league season.

After the stop-and-start build-up last spring/summer, Bell said he was already hard at work this winter in what he hopes will be a normal run-up to the 2021 season.

“Especially after a frustrating year like this past season not a lot of time off,” he explained.

“I’m able to get back home after a stretch where I wasn’t able to really work out the way I’d like to, so being here with my dad, just being able to work out on weekends, really get after it, really try to fine-tune on some of the things where I thought I was lacking last year. Just really excited.

“Just under 60 days before camp starts and definitely going to be ready to go then.”

That is, of course, assuming that things get started on time in Spring Training 2021, which, for now, we’ll continue to hope it will. Go read your links...

NATS BEAT:

Why 2021 will be better than 2020 - (MASN)
"We all have our own personal reasons for believing so, but here are some reasons the new year should be better for the Nationals (and for all of us who care about them) ..."

Nationals: Three Moves To Make After Trading For Josh Bell - (District on Deck)
"Josh Bell is just the first of multiple moves Washington still needs to complete before they can be considered as serious contenders."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

No. 10 -- Jefferson grad Witt signs with Nationals - (journal-news.net)
"Idled by that and having gone unpicked in an abbreviated Major League draft later in the summer, Witt's future in baseball was uncertain.That was until the Washington Nationals called to offer him an undrafted free agent offer."

Phillies analyst: ‘Best-case scenario’ is 88 wins, sneaking into playoffs - (NBC Sports Washington)
"If the Phillies hope to contend for the NL East title in 2021, they’re going to need some help."

MLB Trade Rumors and News: 2020 is mercifully over, George Springer race could be down to two teams - (MLB Daily Dish)
"After a season that stands as the second biggest disaster in Washington in 2020, the Nationals are in flux with their main core of players."

NL EAST UPDATES:

MLB trade rumors: Willson Contreras the best Plan B yet for Phillies with J.T. Realmuto - (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
"A very interesting alternative to J.T. Realmuto presented itself this week in Willson Contreras, the Cubs’ productive 28-year-old two-way catcher."

David Wright looks to settle an old Mets batting practice bet with Carlos Delgado - (SNY)
"David Wright looks to settle an old Mets batting practice bet with Carlos Delgado."

Miami Marlins organization avoids Tommy John surgery in 2020 - (Fish Stripes)
"The Marlins made it through the calendar year without any of their players undergoing the infamous elbow procedure."

Jalen Miller aims to make most of Braves homecoming - (AJC.com)
"Shortly after finishing a workout in Kennesaw, Jalen Miller was standing in line at a Jimmy John’s when he received unexpected news: He was one of three players selected by the Braves during the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft."