The Washington Nationals acquired first baseman Josh Bell from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday in exchange for a pair of pitchers.
Right-handers Wil Crowe and Eddy Yean will are heading to the Pirates in the deal for Bell.
Bell, 28, recorded career highs in homers (37), RBIs (116) and batting average (.277) during an All-Star season in 2019 before posting modest numbers during the abbreviated 2020 campaign. He had eight homers, 22 RBIs and batted .226 in 57 games in 2020.
Bell has a .261 career batting average with 86 home runs and 309 RBIs in five seasons with the Pirates.
“We are thrilled to be adding a player of Josh Bell’s caliber to our team,” Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. “He adds a switch-hitting power bat to our lineup. And we know Josh will be an outstanding addition to our clubhouse and our community.”
Crowe, 26, posted an 0-2 record with an 11.88 ERA in three starts last season with Washington. He notched a 7-10 mark with a 4.70 ERA in 26 starts between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Fresno in 2019.
Yean, 19, sports a 3-5 record with a 4.70 ERA in 21 career appearances (20 starts) over two seasons between the Dominican Summer League Nationals, Gulf Coast League Nationals and Auburn of the New York-Penn League.
“Wil Crowe commands a solid fastball and several good secondary pitches. He brings a strong reputation and work ethic, and has a chance to compete for Major League innings in 2021,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said.
“Eddy Yean is a Dominican League prospect who was one of the better young pitchers in the short season in 2019. He has a mid-90s fastball to go along with a promising slider and changeup. Yean will join a growing group of promising starting pitching prospects within our minor league system.”
