Report: Astros eyeing possible trade for Nationals' Josh Bell

The Houston Astros are looking for the missing pieces for a World Series run and, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, that means acquiring a first baseman and/or a catcher before the Aug. 2 trade deadline.

Heyman says one name that has been discussed is Washington Nationals first baseman Josh Bell.

Bell, 29, began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, making his major league debut in 2016. In 2019, he earned All-Star honors and finished the season with a .277/.367/.569 slash line, 37 home runs and 116 RBI.

In December 2020, Bell was traded to Washington and finished his first season with the team batting .261 with 27 home runs and 88 RBI. This year, he's batting a career-best .306 with 13 homers and 54 RBI through the Nationals' first 100 games of the season.

In March, Bell and the Nationals avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $10 million contract for the 2022 season. But with Bell eligible for free agency in the offseason and the Nationals owning the worst record in MLB, he's a logical name on the trade market.

The Astros have the second best record in the American League behind only the New York Yankees, but have seen a drop-off in play from first baseman Yuli Gurriel. After winning the AL batting title last year with a .319 average, Gurriel is batting .241 this season.