Nationals: Three Moves To Make After Trading For Josh Bell
By Max Rayman
Trading for Josh Bell hasn’t solved all of Washington’s problems. In fact, they are still a few moves away.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the reigning World Series champs and team to beat in the NL. Atlanta has won the NL East the last three years and was a win away from reaching the World Series in 2020. San Diego has made a flurry of moves including trading for Blake Snell and Yu Darvish. They also signed KBO star Kim Ha-Seong. Despite acquiring Josh Bell, the Nationals in their current state cannot compete in the NL East, let alone the NL.
Washington still has holes at second, third, outfield, back of the rotation, bench, and bullpen. Starlin Castro’s return from the IL helps fill the current void at second or third, but that’s just a temporary solution. The team needs to decide if Carter Kieboom is a part of the future or if they will flip him for an upgrade. Outside of Juan Soto, Trea Turner, and Josh Bell, the lineup still needs reinforcements.
Josh Bell is just the first of multiple moves Washington still needs to complete before they can be considered as serious contenders. Here are three follow up moves Mike Rizzo needs to consider in order to put the team over the edge.