Twins Sign Josh Bell to One-Year Deal with 2027 Mutual Option

The Minnesota Twins have added veteran power to their lineup by agreeing to a one-year contract with first baseman Josh Bell for the 2026 season, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The deal includes a mutual option for the 2027 season, offering flexibility for both sides. Bell, a client of the Boras Corporation, joins the Twins as a proven switch-hitter with consistent offensive production across his MLB career.

Josh Bell’s Career Overview and Offensive Profile

Now 33 years old, Bell has spent a decade in Major League Baseball and has established himself as a reliable, above-average bat, with the lone exception being the shortened 2020 season. Originally a second-round pick and top prospect, Bell has shown flashes of star-level power—most notably during standout campaigns in 2019 and 2021—but has never fully transformed into the elite slugger many expected.

Despite his imposing 6-foot-3, 260-pound frame, Bell’s offensive ceiling has been limited by his tendency to hit the ball on the ground. Throughout his career, maintaining consistent loft in his swing has been a challenge. That said, there has been gradual improvement. In 2025, Bell posted a 45.7% ground-ball rate, the second-lowest mark of his career. While still above the league average of 41.8%, it was a step in the right direction.

For a player with below-average speed—ranking in just the seventh percentile among MLB position players—excessive ground balls reduce offensive value. However, when Bell elevates the ball, the results are impressive.

Power Numbers and Statcast Metrics

Bell continues to demonstrate high-end raw power. Statcast data ranked his 96.4 mph average exit velocity on fly balls and line drives among the top 25 hitters in baseball last season. His isolated power (.507) on fly balls significantly exceeded the league average of .436, highlighting his ability to drive the ball with authority.

In 2025, Bell hit 22 home runs and has averaged 26 homers per 162 games over the past seven seasons. Even with persistent ground-ball issues, his power output remains a valuable asset for a Twins lineup seeking stability and depth.

Plate Discipline and Recent Production Trends

Bell’s offensive value is further enhanced by his strong plate discipline. Last season with the Washington Nationals, he posted a 10.7% walk rate, aligning closely with his career average of 11.2%. His 16.5% strikeout rate was the second-lowest of his career, reinforcing his reputation as a patient and controlled hitter.

Although Bell experienced unusual struggles from the right side of the plate in 2025, he has historically been productive as a switch-hitter, with slightly better numbers as a left-handed batter. Encouragingly, his 90.4 mph average exit velocity and 47% hard-hit rate were his best since the 2021 season.

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Late-Season Surge Brings Optimism

The Twins can find optimism in Bell’s strong finish to the 2025 season. After an extremely poor start through April—when his ground-ball rate spiked to nearly 50%—Bell rebounded significantly. From May onward, he looked far more like the hitter teams have hoped to unlock.

Excluding his first 125 plate appearances, Bell slashed .278/.358/.462 with 17 home runs, 16 doubles, and improved contact quality. From July 2 through the end of the season, he was even better, hitting .284/.371/.486 with a reduced 42% ground-ball rate. That stretch represents the version of Bell the Twins are betting on in 2026.

Role with the Minnesota Twins

Bell is expected to serve as the primary first baseman under new Twins manager Derek Shelton, who previously overlapped with Bell during his early managerial days in Pittsburgh. Minnesota’s flexible roster construction could also allow Bell to see time at designated hitter, especially if the club wants to rotate players like Edouard Julien or Kody Clemens at first base.

Defensive metrics suggest that some DH usage would benefit the team. While Bell graded out positively at first base earlier in his career, recent seasons have been less kind. Over his past 1,551 innings, Bell has posted -20 Defensive Runs Saved and -16 Outs Above Average, indicating below-average defense.

Josh Bell may never fully reach the elite slugger tier, but his combination of power, patience, and experience makes him a valuable addition for the Twins. If his late-season momentum carries into 2026, Minnesota could receive above-average offensive production at a reasonable cost—making this signing a low-risk, potentially high-reward move.

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