The Nats reunite with the hulking slugger in a one-year 6 million dollar deal
In a reunion, Josh Bell returns to the nations capitol on a one-year six million dollar deal. The 32 year old will be the Nationals DH this season. After a slow start last season in Miami, Bell was much better after he was traded to the Diamondbacks.
While he is not the big money signing many were hoping for, Bell will be a much needed source of power in the middle of the Nationals lineup. He is also a well liked veteran presence that will bring leadership to a young clubhouse. Hopefully he also brings back his book club, which was very well received in DC.
However, this signing is a little bit underwhelming. While Bell is a good bounce back candidate, it is another example of Nationals ownership being overly frugal. There were better options on the DH market. Anthony Santander, who hit 44 home runs is still on the market. Joc Pederson, who was tremendous last season in Arizona signed for two-years 37 million dollars in Texas.
Those are better players than Bell, but they are also more expensive. Over the last several off-seasons, Nationals ownership has been unwilling to green light the types of big money, multi-year deals they were in the past. Since the 2020-21 offseason, the most money the Nats have spent on a free agent is the 15 million they spent on Nelson Cruz. This was supposed to offseason to smash that mark, but it has not happened yet. There is still time left, but this feels like a solid, but underwhelming offseason for the Nats.
Mike Rizzo has made some quality additions this offseason, but has he put his foot on the gas the way he said he would at the winter meetings?