Flushing, N.Y.: San Diego Padres Josh Bell celebrates scoring in the 2nd inning of his game against … [+]
Signing switch-hitting first baseman Josh Bell to a free-agent contract is exactly the spark the Cleveland Guardians need to build upon their outstanding 2022 breakout season.
Bell, 30, is said to be signing a two-year, $33M contract with Cleveland. Bell has an option to opt out of the contract after the first year.
The Guardians won the 2022 American League Central division with a record of 92-70, 11 games ahead of the Chicago White Sox.
Bell’s offensive skills could change the entire complexion of the 2023 Cleveland Guardians. He adds a power dimension that has been lacking.
Last season, the Guardians hit 127 home runs. Only the Detroit Tigers hit fewer, at 110.
Bell adds the type of power and dangerous bat in the middle of the Cleveland lineup that offers the run production the team needs to take the next step in their quest for a World Championship.
The addition of Bell in the middle of Cleveland’s lineup means players like Jose Ramirez, Andres Gimenez, Josh Naylor and Omar Gonzalez should get better pitches to hit. In short, Bell adds some protection to a potentially productive lineup.
Bell also adds additional balance to a lineup that skewed a bit too left-handed. Bell can offer production from both sides of the plate, giving manager Terry Francona an opportunity to construct a balanced batting order between right and left-handed hitters.
Bell and Ramirez can hit consecutively in the lineup, forcing the opposing pitcher to face two switch-hitters in a row.
When he hits left-handed, Bell can also take advantage of the elimination of infield shifts, a new rule that will be implemented next season. His hard hit ground balls may find holes in the infield.
About Josh Bell:
PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 08: Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on from the dugout during … [+]
Josh Bell was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2011 First Year Player Draft out of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas. He was a 2nd round selection.
Bell was drafted as an outfielder.
Prior to the draft, Bell had written all major league clubs, asking them not to draft him. He had committed to attend the University of Texas.
The Pirates had Bell ranked 6th on their draft board. When he slipped to No. 61 overall, the Pirates grabbed him. They gave him a $5M signing bonus, and kept him away from Texas.
At 6-4, 261 pounds, Bell is a big man with strength throughout his frame.
Bell made his major league debut with the Pirates at the age of 23. He went to the plate 152 times his rookie year, hitting .273 with three homers and 19 RBIs.
Bell played with the Pirates for parts of five seasons. He hit 86 home runs in 2,191 plate appearances. His best year with Pittsburgh was 2019, when he hit .277/.367/.569/.936 with 37 home runs and 116 RBIs. 28 of his homers were hit left-handed, against right-handed pitching.
Bell made the National League All Star Team in that outstanding 2019 season.
In December 2020, the Pirates traded Bell to the Washington Nationals for pitcher Eddy Yean and Wil Crowe.
Bell spent parts of two seasons with the Nationals. He hit well, showed some power, and he drove in runs on a Washington team that was heading to decline.
At the trade deadline in 2022, the Nationals traded Bell to the San Diego Padres as part of the blockbuster deal that sent budding star Juan Soto to the Padres. Bell was part of the eight player trade, with six young players going to Washington.
Last season with Washington and San Diego, Bell hit a combined .266/.362/.422/.784 with 17 home runs and 71 RBIs. Most of his production came in Washington, where he hit 14 of his homers and drove in 57 runs.
Bell won a National League Silver Slugger Award last season as a designated hitter.
It’s interesting to note that the Pirates converted Bell from the outfield to first base in 2014; the position he played with the Pirates, the Padres, and now the Guardians. He did, however, play some outfield for Washington in 2021.
Josh Bell/Josh Naylor Combination:
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 16: Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians runs the bases after … [+]
Signing Bell offers the Guardians the opportunity to take some of the physical demand off Josh Naylor, their primary left-handed hitting first baseman last season.
Right-handed hitting Owen Miller got a great number of at-bats at first base against left-handed pitching.
The addition of Bell could leave Miller’s future and role a bit vulnerable.
Naylor had a very, very serious ankle injury on June 27, 2021. When playing right field, Naylor broke his ankle in a collision in short right field, when he and second baseman Ernie Clement collided on a pop fly.
The impact of Naylor’s broken ankle was so serious, he still has trouble running and moving quickly. He did a stellar job at first base, but with Bell, Naylor can probably get time as a designated hitter.
It is likely Naylor and Bell will alternate between first base and designated hitter, with manager Terry Francona being mindful of every situation in every game.
With Bell in the middle of the Guardians lineup, Francona has so many more batting order configurations and options to deploy. He can interchange the lineup from among:
Steven Kwan-LF-Bats Left
Amed Rosario-SS-Bats Right
Jose Ramirez-3B-Bats Both
Josh Bell-1B/DH-Bats Both
Andres Gimenez-2B-Bats Left
Oscar Gonzalez-RF-Bats Right
Josh Naylor-DH/1B-Bats Left
Catcher-To Be Determined
Myles Straw-CF-Bats Right
The Guardians still have to resolve their catching position. Only rookies Bryan Lavastida and Bo Naylor are on the team’s current 40-man roster.
To this scout, Naylor has potential as a good, all-around player, but he has only played 66 games at the Triple-A level. He likely needs more development time before the team can turn to him as their primary catcher. But time will tell how the catching role unfolds.
Myles Straw is a Gold Glove outfielder, but he didn’t hit last season. In a lineup that now features the addition of Josh Bell as an offensive force, it is difficult to see how the Guardians will continue to play Straw in center if he fails to hit.
Options in center field include Gold Glove outfielder Steven Kwan moving from left to center field, with young outfielders Will Brennan, Will Benson, or George Valera as ultimate options.
Conclusions:
Signing first baseman Josh Bell as a free agent, the Cleveland Guardians have addressed several major needs for their division winning roster.
They have added much needed power. They have added more right-handed hitting production. Bell is a switch-hitter. They have provided incumbent first baseman Josh Naylor an opportunity to serve as a designated hitter/first baseman, keeping him off his surgically repaired ankle.
The Guardians are probably still in the hunt for a starting catcher.
According to Fangraphs.com, the team’s estimated payroll for 2023 sits at $87M, or $18M more than last year.
The offseason is still young. It appears the very highly regarded, astute front office of the Cleveland Guardians is going to try to improve their club with prudent, thoughtful transactions that will keep their team in contention for years.
Adding Josh Bell is a crucial move in the right direction. It changes the entire outlook of the Cleveland Guardians.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/berniepleskoff/2022/12/07/adding-josh-bell-adds-an-entirely-new-dimension-to-the-landscape-of-the-cleveland-guardians/