The MLB hot stove started to sizzle on Thursday, just in time for Christmas.
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded All-Star first baseman Josh Bell to the Washington Nationals in exchange for two young pitchers, right-handers Eddy Yean and Wil Crowe.
The Nationals announced the trade in a tweet.
Bell, 28, is a switch-hitting slugger who ought to add protection behind Juan Soto in the Nationals lineup – which struggled to replace the production from Anthony Rendon’s departure.
The first baseman struggled last year in the pandemic-shortened season, hitting just eight home runs and slashing .226/.305/.364 in 57 games.
Bell had a breakout season the year prior, though, earning his first All-Star nod as he slugged a career-high 37 home runs and 116 RBI while slashing .277/.367/.569.
Crowe, 26, is the No. 3 ranked prospect in the Nationals farm system. He made his MLB debut last season and started in three games, posting an 11.88 ERA – allowing 11 earned runs in 8.1 innings.
Yean, 19, is the No. 6 ranked prospect in the Nationals system, most recently pitching in Short-A ball for Washington. He is projected to reach the majors in 2023.
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