Josh Bell is coming off an impressive fill-in role last season, with the clutch first baseman looking to improve in 2025. Having started his major league career for Pittsburgh in 2016, Bell has seen his fair share of locker rooms, playing for five different clubs before landing a last-second roster spot in Arizona during the tail end of the 2024 season. Over his career, he built up a respectable .258/.343/.447 slash line and has shown improved defense. A solid landing spot can showcase the veteran’s value on both ends of an inning.
Clutch First Baseman Looking To Improve Standing For Next Year
Clutch Performance For Diamondbacks
Bell took over first base duties for the Arizona Diamondbacks in a pinch last season after star Christian Walker went down with an oblique injury on July 30th. Having come in right at the trade deadline, Bell would slash .276/.349/.459 in August. Once Walker returned, Bell’s playtime significantly decreased, but he still offered a solid switch-hitting bat and improved defensive skills. Now that he has entered free agency, there are a few intriguing destinations for Bell outside of the desert.
Market Value And Projections
The Diamondbacks picked up the remainder of Bell’s $16.5 million player option for 2024, ultimately paying $2.25 for Bell’s late-season work. Going into free agency, Bell looks to demand at least $5.2 million per year in market value, whether he signs another one-year deal or secures a multi-year contract. 2025 is shaping up to see a lot of movement at first base, something that stands to benefit the veteran first baseman.
Houston Astros
While there have been reports of the Houston Astro’s interest in Paul Goldschmidt, there are also many calling for a savvy, less expensive move. Citing age and declining stats, it looks to be in Houston’s best interest to avoid a similar situation they faced with Jose Abreau. This leaves Bell as an attractive option for the perennial contenders.
Minnesota Twins
The recent move of gold glove winner Carlos Santana to explore free agency leaves an opening for an experienced first baseman such as Bell to fill, particularly with his batting prowess. While not a gold glove winner, Bell has shown improved defense, with a fielding percentage of 1.00 with 0 errors throughout 41 games with the Diamondbacks. Throw in a few hundred thousand in savings, and the Twins could find a prize in signing Bell.
New York Mets
The New York Mets have seen Pete Alonso join in on opting for free agency, and now they have an opportunity to fill that hole while saving cash for other free-agent pursuits. Alonso’s 2024 slash line of.240/.329/.459 is comparable enough to Bell’s offensive output over the same period at a fraction of the cost. If the Mets want to reload and go for another playoff run in 2025, Bell is a smart move to free up some cash for other moves while maintaining a potent offense.
A Bright 2025
The upcoming season looks good for a clutch first baseman looking to improve in 2025, as the market is wide open. Whether Bell ultimately negotiates a deal, sticks with the Diamondbacks, or takes an opportunity with one of several potential suitors, Josh Bell will certainly succeed in standing up amongst the crowd, further elevating his play and posture at the position.
Main Photo Credits: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
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