Boston Red Sox Rumors: 3 Nationals targets at the MLB Trade Deadline

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BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 23: Josh Bell #19 of the Washington Nationals (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Boston Red Sox Trade Target No. 2: Josh Bell

It’s been well established that the Red Sox weakest position this season has been first base, and it would be surprising if they didn’t attempt to address that area at the deadline. Josh Bell could be a cheaper option at the position who could come in and play in a platoon role with Bobby Dalbec, rather than just taking the position away from him.

To say Bell has had an interesting career would be an understatement. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2017, only to regress and have a miserable 2018 season. Then he bounced back with an All Star season in 2019, only to have a poor 2020 season afterwards. In his first season with Washington, Bell has seemingly found the norm, and is in the middle of a solid if unspectacular season.

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Bell is widely renowned as a power hitter rather than a contact hitter, especially after he only hit .226 last season. Bell has been a bit better this season hitting .248 along with 15 home runs, but he’s not necessarily the most consistent hitter in the world. He will go through prolonged cold stretches, but he can just as easily hit one out of the park too.

Bell also has the unique ability of being a switch hitter. Switch hitters have kind of disappeared over recent years, but having guys who can hit from both sides of the plate can be a huge help when coming up with lineups. This could allow for Bell to settle into a more platoon type role with Dalbec, somewhat similar to Steve Pearce and Mitch Moreland back in 2018.

Bell will be 29 by the seasons end, but he has another year of team control after this one. He could be a solid option if Boston wants to ease Dalbec into a starting role given his struggles this season. So whereas other options may just be rentals, Bell offers some long-term potential too.

Bell is one of the more interesting options available on the market right now. He has had stretches where he looks like the best hitter on the planet, and others where he looks unplayable. With a guy like that currently holding down the fort at first for the Boston Red Sox, pairing him up with Bell may not be a bad idea after all.

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