Josh Bell is back!
According to multiple reports, the Nationals have agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal with the first baseman, bringing him back to DC after he spent one and a half seasons here in 2021-22.
Bell, 32, split last season between Miami and Arizona, slashing .249/.319/.405 with 19 homers, 71 RBI, 23 doubles, and 62 runs scored.
He was originally acquired in December 2020 for two players and played 247 games for the Nats in 21-22, slashing .278/.363/.483 with 41 homers and 145 RBI before being sent to San Diego as part of the Juan Soto deal at the 2022 trade deadline.
GM Mike Rizzo has said all winter he was looking to add more middle of the lineup power, with first base and/or DH a priority. He has now acquired both Bell and Nathaniel Lowe this month, with Lowe, who was a Gold Glover in 2023 and a roughly league average defender in 2024, likely to play first with Bell (-1.8 WAR last season on defense) serving as a secondary option and primary DH.