Return engagement: Josh Bell & Trevor Williams

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Not sure we can afford him any more. Since giving up on hitting for power and going with his old approach, he's hit .284/.377/.472 against RHP. Even at his age, that's enough to get a lot more money and probably some sort of mutual/vesting option for a second year. Probably too rich for the Lerners   

otoh, there was no market for him at the deadline this year. He may just like it here.

[Count Walewski]

It is interesting that the best two years of Josh Bell's career (his only years with 3+ WAR) were in Washington DC.

As a middle aged man myself, I appreciate what Bell is doing here in the second half and I love watching his monstrous home runs. I like the tribute to Gary Sheffield in his batting stance. But signing Bell - a declining veteran - for 2026 in the hopes of cheaply catching lightning in a bottle is a total Rizzo move. We saw this team crippled over and over again by these kinds of signings, which add up to a lot together. A Bell re-signing would disappoint me greatly.

[varoadking]

A Bell re-signing would disappoint me greatly.

Word...

[Slateman]

It is interesting that the best two years of Josh Bell's career (his only years with 3+ WAR) were in Washington DC.

As a middle aged man myself, I appreciate what Bell is doing here in the second half and I love watching his monstrous home runs. I like the tribute to Gary Sheffield in his batting stance. But signing Bell - a declining veteran - for 2026 in the hopes of cheaply catching lightning in a bottle is a total Rizzo move. We saw this team crippled over and over again by these kinds of signings, which add up to a lot together. A Bell re-signing would disappoint me greatly.

Im struggling to think of when signing veterans crippled this team ... ?

[Smithian]

If Nats bring him back for under $10 million, that type of signing doesn't cripple a team. The Nationals have to sign a 1B/DH this offseason, and Bell makes sense as someone who can hold up at either spot.

[Slateman]

If Nats bring him back for under $10 million, that type of signing doesn't cripple a team. The Nationals have to sign a 1B/DH this offseason, and Bell makes sense as someone who can hold up at either spot.

There is no one year deal that cripples any team. Its why I am rarely harsh on one year deals.

[imref]

Im struggling to think of when signing veterans crippled this team ... ?

the Strasburg contract? Though even that didn't cripple the team.

[Slateman]

the Strasburg contract? Though even that didn't cripple the team.

Except the caveat was "in the hopes of cheaply catching lightning in a bottle is a total Rizzo move. We saw this team crippled over and over again by these kinds of signings, which add up to a lot together."

We haven't had a substantial signing since the post 2019 offseason. This team has never been "crippled" by these deals, which is why I'm confused.

[imref]

Bell was interviewed by Kolko during the rain delay yesterday. Said he plans to come back next year and is going to hit much more during the off-season in an attempt to open the season next year without a slump.

It's not the worst idea to bring him back to DH/1B next year with an idea of trading him at the deadline if he's hitting.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

He looked a little misty eyed when he was lifted for Chaparro.

[Smithian]

Bell was interviewed by Kolko during the rain delay yesterday. Said he plans to come back next year and is going to hit much more during the off-season in an attempt to open the season next year without a slump.

It's not the worst idea to bring him back to DH/1B next year with an idea of trading him at the deadline if he's hitting.

Josh Bell makes complete sense to return as a DH/1B unless some other team wants to pay him more than $6 million. He is fine as a 1B so it isn't like he clogs DH.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Thing is, I wish he hit better from the right side
That's the bigger hole in the lineup. There's no good righty hitters. I have hopes for Crews and think House can be some pop at the bottom of the order, but they are desperate for a big righty bat