Bell-Zimmerman combo at first base could work nicely for Nats

What kind of production can the Nationals expect from their first basemen in 2021?

Would they be satisfied with 30 homers, 99 RBIs, a .305 batting average, .390 on-base percentage and .997 OPS? Because that's what you get when you combine Josh Bell's 2019 numbers against right-handers and Ryan Zimmerman's 2019 numbers against left-handers.

Yep, if Bell took all the at-bats against righties and Zimmerman took all the at-bats against lefties, they'd have combined for a .997 OPS across exactly 500 plate appearances. Which would've been the highest OPS any major league club got from its first basemen that season.

OK, obviously this is a fantasy stat. Bell and Zimmerman weren't teammates in 2019. This doesn't take into account how Bell's production dramatically fell in 2020 or how Zimmerman didn't even play in 2020. And of course it's impossible to create a platoon in which one player takes every single at-bat against righties and the other takes every single at-bat against lefties.

The point here isn't to suggest the Nationals can count on those combined numbers from the Bell-Zimmerman combo this season. It's merely to point out how such a combo could work out quite well for both players and the team at large.

Zimmerman certainly is embracing the idea. He had already mentally prepared himself for a reduced role one year ago when he re-signed for $2 million guaranteed before eventually opting out due to health risks for his family. He's ready to give it a try this time around for $1 million guaranteed, plus incentives.

"I think, moving forward in my career, I think not playing every day, playing days when your matchups are nice against a pitcher that's pitching that day, not only does it help me succeed, but it helps me keep my body healthy," the 36-year-old said Saturday during a Zoom session with reporters. "That's been the biggest question mark the last handful of years for me. Not: 'Can I still play?' but 'Can I stay healthy?' When I am healthy, I still feel like I can produce.

"Last year, I was actually looking forward to embracing that role and seeing how, honestly, how much fun it was going to be. Then obviously last year happened and I didn't get to see. So really the role that I'm accepting and going forward with this year is no real different role of what I was going to have last year. It was just going to be split between a few people. Now they went out and traded for a guy like Josh that has unbelievable talent, so that'll be fun."

Though he's hardly the complete player he was a decade ago when he was anchoring a lineup and playing a Gold Glove third base, Zimmerman still brings a few particularly strong skills to the table.

He still crushes left-handed pitching. Since 2017, he has batted .351 with a .418 on-base percentage and .637 slugging percentage against lefties.

He's a better defensive option at first base than Bell. No, not because of his arm. Because of his glove, which turns potential errors from infield teammates and potential doubles down the line into outs.

Zimmerman really should make for a nice complement to Bell. And, of course, there's still the possibility both wind up in the lineup on a given day if the National League brings back the designated hitter again.

"I think the DH is enticing," he said. "I think that would help a lot of guys on our team. You could rotate some people through. You could have sort of an off day without having an off day."

Not that Zimmerman or anyone else knows yet if there will be a DH in the NL in 2021, despite the fact pitchers and catchers are due to report in 3 1/2 weeks.

"It would be nice to have some clarifications on the rules for the championship season, since it is January 20-whatever it is now," he said with trademark Zimmerman snark. "So that would be much appreciated. But that's a whole 'nother conversation. Thanks for getting me in trouble. I appreciate it."