Josh Bell Brings Stability-and a Few Questions-to Twins Lineup
Josh Bell isn’t the kind of player who grabs headlines the moment his name hits the transaction wire. But what he is-and what the Twins need-is steady, proven, and quietly impactful.
At 33, Bell arrives in Minnesota with nearly a decade of above-average production under his belt. He’s not the superstar some once projected, but he’s the kind of veteran presence that can give a young, streaky lineup a much-needed backbone.
Let’s be clear: Bell’s not a flashy addition. But he’s the type of hitter who can reshape the feel of a batting order without demanding the spotlight.
His power is real, his plate discipline is legit, and while the ground-ball tendencies have always capped his ceiling, he’s still averaged over 26 homers per 162 games across the last seven seasons. When he gets hot, he can carry an offense for weeks.
That’s exactly the kind of consistency Minnesota’s been missing.
First Base Fit: Offense In, Defense TBD
Bell is expected to take over as the Twins’ primary first baseman under new manager Derek Shelton-who, it’s worth noting, knows Bell from their days in Pittsburgh. Internally, Minnesota has some options at first, but none with Bell’s offensive resume.
Edouard Julien can fill in there, but his glove’s a work in progress. Kody Clemens brings some pop and versatility, but profiles more as a utility piece than a lineup anchor.
Neither offers the kind of middle-of-the-order presence Bell brings to the table.
Now, the flip side: defense. Bell’s not bringing Gold Glove credentials with him.
While he posted solid defensive metrics in 2021 and 2022, the bigger picture is more concerning. Over his last 1,551 innings at first, he’s been tagged with -20 Defensive Runs Saved and -16 Outs Above Average.
His range is limited, and lateral movement isn’t exactly a strength. That’s not ideal when you consider the youth around him in the infield.
Royce Lewis made strides at third last season, but still has questions with his arm. Brooks Lee and Luke Keaschall, expected to see time up the middle, are both considered below-average defenders.
That puts a premium on having a steady hand at first-someone who can pick throws out of the dirt and cover for youthful mistakes. Bell’s not a natural fit in that role, which means the Twins may need to get creative.
Rotating Roles: First Base and DH Flexibility
The likely solution? Flexibility.
Bell will get the bulk of his reps at first, but expect Minnesota to rotate him through the designated hitter spot regularly. That move serves a few purposes: it reduces the defensive liability, keeps Bell fresh, and opens the door for Julien or Clemens to get innings at first without compromising the lineup’s offensive potential.
This isn’t new territory for the Twins. Like most clubs, they don’t treat the DH as a fixed position. And with Bell’s track record of durability-he’s played in over 91% of his teams' games since becoming a regular-that versatility will be key to keeping him productive across a long season.
The DH shuffle also intersects with Trevor Larnach’s role. The Twins opted to keep the lefty slugger via arbitration, and while he’s primarily a corner outfielder, he’s also a natural fit for DH at-bats-especially against righties. That said, Larnach remains one of the more logical trade chips on the roster if the front office decides to retool or address another need.
Bell’s presence gives Minnesota the luxury of options. On nights he plays first, the DH spot can go to a rotating cast of hitters-Larnach, Julien, or even a regular getting a breather. When Bell slides into the DH role, the infield defense gets a boost, and the lineup doesn’t lose its punch.
What Bell Adds to the Batting Order
Defensive concerns aside, Bell’s bat is a clear upgrade. He hits the ball hard-Statcast had him ranked 25th among qualified hitters in average exit velocity on line drives and fly balls (96.4 mph).
When he elevates, he does damage. His isolated power on fly balls (.507) was well above league average, even if it didn’t quite reach elite territory.
The issue, as it’s always been, is the ground ball rate. Last season’s 45.7% grounder rate was actually the second-lowest of his career, but still higher than ideal-especially for a player with below-average speed. Grounders eat into his production, and for a guy who hits the ball as hard as Bell does, it’s a frustrating inefficiency.
Still, his offensive profile makes him a fit in the top half of the Twins’ order. Minnesota has been searching for more right-handed pop, but Bell’s actually more effective from the left side.
His OPS against right-handers last season was .804, while it dipped significantly against lefties. That likely means he’ll play nearly every day against righties, giving the Twins a switch-hitter with real thump and a track record of consistency.
His arrival also takes some pressure off younger, less proven bats like Lewis, Lee, and Matt Wallner. If Larnach sticks around, Bell’s presence gives the lineup more balance and protection. And if the team decides to move on from Larnach, Bell’s versatility helps absorb that loss.
A Smart Fit for the Moment
Let’s not oversell it-Bell isn’t a franchise-changer. If the Twins are going to make real noise in 2025, it’ll be because their young core takes a step forward.
But Bell raises the floor. He’s been a league-average or better hitter in every full season of his career (outside the shortened 2020 campaign), and that kind of reliability matters in a lineup that’s often leaned too heavily on streaky production.
And if things don’t go according to plan? Bell’s durability and track record make him a logical trade chip come July.
He won’t block any of the Twins’ top prospects, and he doesn’t tie up long-term payroll. It’s a low-risk, high-floor move that gives Minnesota flexibility and a clearer picture of what this lineup can be.
In short, Josh Bell might not be the splashiest signing of the offseason-but he’s the kind that makes a roster better in subtle, meaningful ways. For a Twins team trying to find its footing in a wide-open AL Central, that’s exactly the kind of move that can pay off.