Nationals' Updated Lineup After Josh Bell Trade with Pirates

The Washington Nationals will have dual-threat power at the plate when they take the field this spring following a trade that brought first baseman Josh Bell to the nation's capital.

The team announced Thursday that it acquired Bell from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a pair of right-handed pitching prospects: Wil Crowe and Eddy Yean.

Bell spent the past five seasons with the Pirates, who drafted him in the second round in 2011. 

Last season, the Nationals turned to former Milwaukee Brewer Eric Thames at first base. But the 34-year-old struggled at the plate, hitting .203/.300/.317 with 12 RBI and 42 strikeouts in 41 games.

Here's a look at what the lineup could like when the Nationals open the season: 

1. Andrew Stevenson (LF)

2. Trea Turner (SS)

3. Juan Soto (RF)

4. Josh Bell (1B)

5. Starlin Castro (2B)

6. Yan Gomes (C)

7. Victor Robles (CF)

8. Carter Kieboom (3B)

Washington's lineup wasn't ideal in the shortened 2020 campaign, with No. 2 prospect Luis Garcia filling the void left by an injured Starlin Castro, who only appeared in 16 games. It was a loss for the 2019 World Series champions, since the four-time All-Star had slashed .270/.300/.436 with 22 home runs and 86 RBI for the Miami Marlins in 2019. But Garcia did well in Castro's stead, batting .276/.302/.366 with 16 RBI and two home runs in 40 games. 

This offseason, the team also lost Adam Eaton to the Chicago White Sox in free agency, which means Andrew Stevenson will see more time than the 15 games he was afforded last season. That's not necessarily bad news for the Nationals, considering he slashed .366/.447/.732 with 12 RBI last year.

In the switch-hitting Bell, who earned an All-Star selection in 2019 while posting a .277/.367/.569 slash line with 37 homers and 116 RBI in 143 games, the Nationals instantly gain power and versatility, which will only deepen a lineup that ranked fourth in batting average (.264) and 10th in OPS (.769) leaguewide.