Ideal Landing Spots: Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins
Usually when you're a relatively productive player who changes teams a lot, it's a red flag. But Josh Bell has played for quite a few of the more small-budget teams in the sport, and when those clubs aren't contending, they tend to shed payroll, which Bell has often found himself on the wrong end of.
He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Pirates, but has played for the Nationals, Padres, Guardians and Marlins since the start of the 2021 season. With the Marlins off to a disastrous start in 2024, there's a good chance that Bell—who is in the final season of a two-year, $33 million deal—will be on the move again this summer.
B/R Walk-Off @BRWalkoffJosh Bell to the lawn 😳<br><br>(via <a href="">@Marlins</a>)<a href="">
For the second year in a row, Bell's bat is very cold to open the season. But he posted an OPS just shy of .800 in the second half of 2023, helping the offensively challenged Marlins to make the playoffs for just the fourth time in franchise history.
If the Mets hold on to Pete Alonso, Bell could be a fallback option for teams unwilling, for whatever reason, to land Goldschmidt.
There's a good chance that the Cubs, the heated rival of the Cardinals, would be unable to land Goldschmidt. If either Michael Busch or Garrett Cooper prove unable to sustain impressive starts, the switch-hitting Bell could lengthen manager Craig Counsell's lineup.
Bell could also be a fit for the Yankees if Rizzo and/or Giancarlo Stanton don't heat up. Ditto for the Twins with Santana.
