Washington Nationals: 3 trade destinations for Josh Bell
The Washington Nationals are not a good baseball team. Entering play on Friday, they are 13-26, which is only two games above the Cincinnati Reds for the worst record in the National League.
When the trade deadline comes around on August 2, they will most definitely be sellers but they could even start trading some of their pieces away in the next few weeks. If they do, one of the most coveted players that they’ll have on the trade block is first baseman Josh Bell.
Bell, 29, is only signed through the end of the season before becoming a free agent in the offseason and he is off to a great start.
He is hitting /316/.405/.456 with an OPS+ of 157. He also has seven doubles, four homers, and 22 RBI, and more walks (19) than strikeouts (17).
That’s why there should be plenty of suitors for him. Here are three trade destinations for Josh Bell that make the most sense.
Three possible trade destinations for Washington Nationals first baseman Josh Bell
Toronto Blue Jays
As Call To The Pen’s Kevin Henry examined in this article a few days ago, the Toronto Blue Jays are (surprisingly) in need of a bat and, in particular, a left-handed bat.
Bell is blocked at first base by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. but the Blue Jays have not great production at the DH spot. Their primary DH has been Zack Collins, who is a catcher. He is only hitting .200/.273/.400 on the season.
Collins is one of only two left-handed bats in their lineup (the other being outfielder Raimel Tapia, who has been awful at the plate) but Bell would be a much better bat for them.
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are in first place in the AL Central due in part to their offense performing well and the starting pitching better than expected.
However, at first base, Miguel Sano (their primary first baseman) is on the 60-day IL with a torn meniscus. In the meantime, they have had Luis Arraez at first base and he has been great (152 OPS+). But he can play a few different places on the field. Since 2021, he has played first, second, third, and left and (before 2021) he also has experience at shortstop.
He obviously wouldn’t be playing shortstop with Carlos Correa there but Arraez would be an upgrade at third over Gio Urshela (88 OPS+) or in left over Nick Gordon (77 OPS+).
Their only left-handed bats are Arraez, Gordon, and Max Kepler so Bell could provide them with a more balanced lineup that way as well.
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are in second place in the NL West, which is the best division in baseball. They have a first baseman who has hit really well to start the year in Eric Hosmer (162 OPS+) but their DH spot is a different question.
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Luke Voit has been injured but he is only hitting .174 with a .599 OPS on the season (81 OPS+), which is why the Voit (and his replacements while he was on the IL) are 29th in offensive production out of the DH spot.
The Padres’ team OPS+ is 99, which was 10th in the NL entering play on Thursday.