Josh Bell made it clear where he wants to play in 2027.
The Minnesota Twins finished 2026 at 77-85, missing out on the MLB playoffs. With the offseason approaching, the Twins will soon have to decide whether or not designated hitter Josh Bell factors into their future plans. After a productive first season in Minnesota, Bell made it clear that he wants to continue playing at Target Field.
Bell was direct when asked about his future after the Twins' 6-4 win over the Texas Rangers in the season finale. "Yeah," Bell said when asked if he wanted to be back, according to Ren Clayton of CBS News Minnesota. "I talked to my family about it all year. Hopefully that happens for us, but yeah, we'll see in the next couple of months."
Bell appeared in 154 games this year. The 34-year-old veteran hit .255 with a .319 on-base percentage and .738 OPS, while leading the Twins with 96 RBIs and adding 21 home runs.
His RBI total was his highest since 2019 and gave Minnesota a dependable bat throughout the year.
The Twins signed Bell to a one-year, $7 million contract with a mutual option for 2027 last offseason, giving both sides a decision to make this winter. Bell's durability made him exactly what Minnesota needed in a lineup that leaned heavily on younger players.
The Twins were competitive through the All-Star break before the season went in the wrong direction. They finished third in the AL Central, eight games behind the Cleveland Guardians.
Bell pointed to the young core around him after the finale, specifically mentioning Walker Jenkins, Kaelen Culpepper and Emmanuel Rodriguez as part of the foundation he believes is being built. He also praised the coaching staff for creating an environment where players wanted to come to the ballpark every day.
That kind of veteran presence has value beyond the stat line, especially for a roster that is still developing its identity. Bell was not an All-Star in 2026, but playing 154 games and leading the team in RBIs is exactly what Minnesota needed from him when they signed him.
The Twins have plenty of offseason decisions ahead, but bringing Bell back would give them an experienced switch-hitter who already knows the clubhouse and proved he can produce. For a team that believes the AL Central is wide open, that kind of continuity matters. The mutual option is for $10 million, which seems reasonable for both sides to want a reunion.
