Josh Bell Is Shaping Up to Be the Veteran Hitter Minnesota Was Searching For

The Minnesota Twins sought to put the 2025 season behind them after selling off many of their valuable players at the MLB trade deadline with the exception of starting right-hander Joe Ryan and star center fielder Byron Buxton. 

This year, the Twins have gone all-in on making it back to the postseason for the first time since 2023. To show that, they looked for a veteran in free agency who could complement and mentor their younger hitters like Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee and Luke Keaschall.

In December, Minnesota signed designated hitter Josh Bell to a one-year, $7 million contract. The 33-year-old would make his way to the organization following stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks.

During Bell's brief second Nationals stint in 2025, he batted .237 while logging 111 hits, 63 RBI and 22 home runs. Even as Washington wrapped up the season with a 66-96 overall record and fifth-place ranking in the NL East, Bell went out on a high note against the rival Atlanta Braves on Sept. 24, going 2-for-4 at the plate and recording a .323 on-base percentage.

Bell has been taking new strides as a Twin though, batting .252 while recording a .741 OPS and knocking in 71 RBI. Furthermore, he has launched 16 home runs, tallied 107 hits and drawn 37 walks.

Most recently, Bell went 2-for-5 at the dish and plated three runs during Minnesota's Monday opener against the Baltimore Orioles, the former team of newly acquired right-handed starter Dean Kremer.

He delivered as well on Aug. 7 against the sizzling hot Milwaukee Brewers who have held one of the best records in MLB.

Minnesota would come out with an 8-6 win as Bell went 4-for-5 at the plate and drove in Lewis for the game-sealing run during the sixth inning with an RBI single.

As the season continues to wind down, Bell will hope to play himself into a long-term role on the Twins after bouncing across MLB. Given his current trajectory and Minnesota's goal of returning to contention in a weak American League, that seems to be likely for now.

Bell will be primed for another opportunity to contribute tonight as the Twins have their eyes on securing a series win over the Orioles who are set to have right-hander Brandon Young take the mound.

Young has compiled a 3.43 ERA while striking out 89 batters through 107.2 innings of work.