Could Nationals Slugger Be Fit For Red Sox At Trade Deadline?

Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is just over three weeks away, and speculation regarding the Boston Red Sox’s plans continues to grow with the team climbing back into Wild Card contention after going 6-4 over their last 10 games.

The Red Sox continue to be a team many baseball insiders view as buyers on July 31, and with first base the most obvious position with room for an upgrade, the team has previously been connected to Baltimore Orioles All-Star Ryan O’Hearn and Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Josh Naylor.

One name that would make a lot of sense for Boston is Washington Nationals switch-hitting slugger Josh Bell. No stranger to being dealt at the trade deadline, Bell profiles as the type of versatile power bat that’s been missing in the Red Sox lineup since Triston Casas went down with a season-ending injury in May.

Bell, who’s hitting .216 with 11 home runs and 36 RBI this season, was a rare bright spot in the Nationals’ lineup over the weekend during a three-game sweep at the hands of the Red Sox. The 10-year MLB veteran was 6-for-13 during the series, including a three-hit performance on Saturday.

Following Sunday’s news that Washington had fired general manager Mike Rizzo and team manager Dave Martinez after a 37-53 start to the season, the Nationals could be ready for a fire sale with the trade deadline approaching on July 31.

Acquiring Bell would make a lot of sense for the Red Sox. As a switch-hitter with power from both sides of the plate, adding the slugger would allow Red Sox manager Alex Cora to platoon Romy González at second base and Abraham Toro to slide into a proper utility role while continuing to earn starts against left-handed pitching.

The costs associated with acquiring Bell would also be fairly minimal. The Red Sox have plenty of prospect capital stashed away in the minor leagues to make a trade with Washington a reality. And if the Red Sox decide to add bullpen help at the deadline, Bell’s teammate Kyle Finnegan could also be an appealing option in an expanded trade with Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten currently sidelined with injuries.

In 10 seasons spent with the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, Miami Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Nationals, Bell is a career .256 hitter with 182 home runs and 649 RBI in 1,225 games.