The Miami Marlins acquired first baseman Josh Bell from the Cleveland Guardians just before Tuesday'ss trade deadline in exchange for infielder Jean Segura and infield prospect Kahlil Watson.
Bell had one of the better statistical seasons of his career last year and was a part of the Juan Soto trade that saw the duo playing for the San Diego Padres in 2021. Unfortunately, his performance hasn't improved since he signed a two-year, $33 million contract with the Guardians in December of last year. As a result, the franchise parted ways with him and offloaded his contract.
This article will discuss his potential impact on the Marlins as well as what fantasy managers can anticipate from him.
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What To Expect From Josh Bell In Miami?
So far this season, Josh Bell is batting .233 with 81 hits, 11 home runs, 48 RBIs and 26 runs scored across 97 games this season. He has an on-base percentage of .318 with a .701 OPS. His splits indicate that he is batting worse against lefties (.206) than he is against right-handed pitchers (.246).
Given how well he played for the Washington Nationals in 2021, these stats are notably disappointing. However, the Marlins will hope that their 31-year-old first baseman can turn it around his season.
For the Guardians, Bell primarily served as the designated hitter, but for the Marlins, he will have abundant opportunities to play first base, and with the return of Jazz Chisholm Jr., the franchise could make a run at the playoffs. They are currently 58-51 and tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for the final Wild-Card spot in the National League.
Josh Bell Could Leave Marlins After This Season
In December, Josh Bell signed a two-year contract with the Guardians, but he has a player option after this season. As a result, he could leave the Marlins if he wants to after this season is up.
The Marlins acquired Bell in hopes that he will bring his veteran presence to the clubhouse, and since he played a role in the Padres reaching the National League Championship Series last season, he could help the Marlins achieve a similar postseason trajectory.