Good Morning, Washington Nationals fans.

Merry Christmas.

Today's top story: Josh Bell Traded to the Washington Nationals

Well, we were going to take the day off and not send a briefing, but the Washington Nationals had other plans. Yesterday, afternoon The Washington Nationals have made their first offseason move. The Washington Nationals have acquired first baseman Josh Bell from the Pirates in exchange for a pair of young pitchers: Eddy Yean and Wil Crowe.

Josh Bell is a 28-year-old switch hitter who plays exclusively first base. He's hit 83 home runs since 2017, which puts him among the top 50 in that span. [Click here to read the full article]

Our Friends at Talk Nats.com has a great article worth your time this morning about how Josh Bell checks one more priority on their Nats List. From the article: "The Washington Nationals have clear priorities for next year, and we took a deep dive into a Top-10 at the end of September. Sure, things changed quickly when manager Dave Martinez opted to make changes on his coaching staff." [Click here to read the full article]

Reaction from around the Nationals "Web" World

MASN: Nats get big bat for Christmas, acquire Josh Bell from Bucs

NBC Sports Washington: Nationals acquire first baseman Josh Bell in trade with Pirates

Federal Baseball: Washington Nationals acquire Josh Bell from Pittsburgh Pirates for RHPs Wil Crowe, Eddy Yean

District on Deck: Josh Bell salary means another big bat still to come

MLB: Bell heading to Nationals in trade with Bucs

From the Pittsburgh Pirates Perspective:

• Trading Josh Bell to Nationals is first major move in offseason of rebuilding for Pirates via Pittsburgh Tribune - Review

• Why the Pirates dealt another ‘face of the franchise’ via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

• What you need to know about the two pitching prospects via DK Pittsburgh Sports

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Exmaining What 2021 Could Hold For Josh Bell via Rum Bunte

Latest on the Nats Report

• Happy Holidays from the Scherzers: Erica and Max Scherzer Sponsor Adoption Fees at Humane Rescue Alliance

• Special Report: Buzz Saw The Improbable Story Of How The Washington Nationals Won The World Series

• Howie Kendrick’s Impact on the Washington Nationals. It goes way beyond the stat sheet.

• Our Un-Realistic Holiday Wish list for the Washington Nationals

Latest Major League Headlines

• How the new presidential administration could affect Major and Minor League Baseball via The Athletic

• Latest On Ha-Seong Kim via MLB Trade Rumors

• Five questions facing 2021 MLB season, including the potential start date and number of games played via CBS Sports

• Opinion: MLB gesture to Negro League players is honorable but now it's time to pay them via USA Today

Around the NL East

New York Mets

• Pete Alonso has ‘helluva’ plan to fuel Mets bounce-back via New York Post

Atlanta Braves

• Michael Harris: The Atlanta Braves Next Big-time Prospect via Tomahawk Take

Miami Marlins

• A look at the Marlins’ catcher situation and what progress needs to be made in 2021 via Miami Herald

Philadelphia Phillies

• Some dude predicted Phillies' entire front office overhaul 3 months ago via NBC Sports Philadelphia