Welcome Back, Josh Bell: The Morning Briefing

The Commander's Report. Just in case you fell asleep before the game was over last night, the Washington Commanders defeated the Atlanta Falcons 30-24 in OT at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. Man, what a game, what a season, and it's not over! There will be playoff football to watch in D.C. for the first time since 2020! Congratulations to Commanders QB Jayden Daniels for breaking the single-season rushing yards record set by former Washington Redskin RGIII with a total of 820 rushing yards this season.

Additionally according to Commanders PR, Daniels becomes the first quarterback in NFL history with 2+ touchdowns, 200+ passing yards, and 65+ rushing yards in three straight games. There were so many records that were either beaten or created last night that we could dedicate a whole report to (which we will not!). Recommended listing: JP Finlay's Post Game podcast. Recommended reading: John Keim's ESPN article or check out the official Commanders article here by Senior Writer Zach Selby.

Got Engaged! Congratulations to Commander's special team player Jeremy Reaves, who proposed to his girlfriend last night after the play0ff-clinching win.

Good Monday Morning, Washington Nationals fans. Here is a special edition of the Morning Briefing for Monday, December 30, 2024. (Most likely our last Morning Briefing for 2024.)

Thank you! Thank you for reading the Morning Briefing all year long! We appreciate your support and thank you for waking up with us in 2024; here is to an amazing 2025 year!

⏲️ Counting Down

🔄 Welcome Back. Breaking last night, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Washington Nationals and former Washington Nationals first baseman Josh Bell agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal for 2025 that will bring Bell back to D.C. Bell was part of the 2022 Juan Soto trade where he went to the San Diego Padres. Bell spent one season with the Cleveland Guardians and last year with the Miami Marlins.

Bell played 103 games, had 437 plate appearances, and had a batting average of .301, with an OPS of .877. Bell hit 14 homeruns, 57 RBI, and 113 hits during his time with the Washington Nationals.

Last season between Miami and Arizona, Bell hit .249/.319/.405 with 19 home runs and 44 extra-base hits.

Before the 2025 season, the 32-year-old slugger had already amassed four seasons with 20 or more home runs, culminating in a career-high 37 long balls in 2019.

Defensive Limitations:

Defensively, Bell has generally struggled, with a -9 Outs Above Average last season, indicating below-average fielding performance. His large frame and below-average speed further contribute to his defensive shortcomings. The Nationals will most likely use him as a DH.

The Nats Report Perspective: Zooming out, this move isn't the blockbuster many fans anticipated. However, while it might not be the last move for the Washington Nationals this offseason, re-signing Bell achieves several objectives.

Firstly, it brings a veteran presence to a young locker room. Secondly, it provides the Nationals with the power bat they sought at a reasonable price. This allows them to pursue other needs, such as signing another bat and a starting pitcher to bolster their rotation.

Finally, Bell's ability to hit from both sides of the plate gives Martinez a flexible DH option, allowing him to strategically utilize Bell against either right-handed or left-handed pitchers late in games if needed.

Overall Grade: B

What do you think? Let us know by hitting us up on X, Blue Sky, Instagram, Facebook, leaving a comment below (for Nats Report+ subscribers only), or emailing us.

🦅 Jimmy Carter, Longest-Living U.S. President, Dies At 100. It's not Washington Nationals news; however, pretty important overall news story. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the longest-living U.S. President, died at 100 yesterday. Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia.

President Biden paid tribute to Carter Sunday night, saying he will be remembered for his “decency, decency, decency.” Carter is set to lie in state at the US Capitol in the coming days. Former Presidents and dignitaries will also remember him at a state funeral at the National Cathedral, date TBD.

President Jimmy Carter through out the ceremonial first pitch from the mound for a strike before Game 6 of the 1995 World Series in Atlanta. [Video here]

🔍 A closer look at James Wood. Yesterday afternoon, Bill published a profile on Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood that is a must-read! "Defensively, in the first month and a half in Rochester, Wood would play all three outfield positions in consecutive games. Towards the end of May, the Nationals Organization started playing Wood primarily in left field. Wood covers a lot of ground in left field, but his MLB scout rating has his fielding ability and arm at a 55 rating. In time, by playing and learning how to play one position, his defense will improve."

📌 Dodgers meet with Roki Sasaki, Mets still want to add bat, Marlins and Cubs swap ex-top prospects (CBS News)

📌Cam Newton thinks Major League Baseball will be surpassed by the WNBA (Awful Announcing)

📌 Prospect Brock Selvidge Could Fast-Track to the Major Leagues in 2025 (Last Word on Sports)

First time reading the Morning Briefing? Subscribe today