Josh Bell may have been snubbed from the National League All-Star roster, but you can rest assured he won't be overlooked when contending executives look to improve their clubs over the next month.
The switch-hitting first baseman is putting together an excellent season for the lowly Washington Nationals, slashing .304/.386/.491 with 12 home runs, 47 RBIs and an .877 OPS.
At 30-58, the Nationals have never really been in the postseason race at any point during the 2022 season. Given that Bell can become a free agent after this season, Mike Rizzo and the Nationals feel likely to trade the 29-year-old in an attempt to restock their organizational talent.
Earlier this month, we ranked Bell as one of the top 10 trade candidates for this summer. Here are five potential landing spots for Bell in advance of the Aug. 2 trade deadline:
Houston Astros
Could Josh Bell be a trade target for the Houston Astros?
(Brett Davis/USA Today)
A year after winning the American League batting title, Yuli Gurriel is hitting just .233 with a .677 OPS. The Astros would certainly prefer that Gurriel heat up, preventing them from potentially taking at-bats away from him as the team looks to return to the World Series for the fourth time in six years. But there's not an executive in the sport right now that would take Gurriel, 38 years old, over Bell if given the choice.
New York Mets
Could the New York Mets trade for Josh Bell?
(Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Bell has graded out well as a defender at first base in 2022 (two defensive runs saved, one out above average), but he could shift to DH for a few months if it gives him a chance to pursue a World Series. Looking to fend off the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, the Mets could stand to add another bat to the middle of their lineup. Pete Alonso is one of the best run producers in the sport, and adding Bell as protection behind him in the lineup may assure that the Mets return to the postseason for the first time since 2016.
Cleveland Guardians
Could the Cleveland Guardians trade for Josh Bell?
(Albert Cesare / The Enquirer)
While Josh Naylor has had something of a breakout season, both Franmil Reyes and Owen Miller have OPS marks under .675. Terry Francona's squad has overachieved at 43-42, when you consider their roster and -2 run differential. But if they're serious about catching the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central, they are going to have to make some additions around José Ramírez and Andrés Giménez in the lineup. Bell would likely be a rental for Cleveland, a team that's been hesitant to spend big in recent years.
Milwaukee Brewers
Could the Milwaukee Brewers trade for Josh Bell?
(Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
With Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Eric Lauer in their starting rotation, along with Josh Hader and Devin Williams in their bullpen, the Brewers have World Series-caliber pitching. Their offense, however, is a ways behind. Bell would be an upgrade at first base, and allow Craig Counsell to platoon Rowdy Tellez and Andrew McCutchen at DH.
Boston Red Sox
Could the Boston Red Sox trade for Josh Bell?
(Scott Taetsch/USA Today)
There was a point early in the season where we wondered if the Red Sox might be sellers. To their credit, Boston will enter play Tuesday evening in control of the top Wild Card spot. With Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez, Nathan Eovaldi and Kiké Hernández all potentially becoming free agents at the end of the season, there's not much certain about the future for Chaim Bloom and company. What we know now is that the Red Sox seem headed for the postseason in 2022, and Bell would be an upgrade at first base over either Bobby Dalbec or Franchy Cordero.
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