Josh Bell provided a beacon of light during an otherwise disappointing season for the Minnesota Twins, hitting .255 and knocking in 96 RBI.
The Minnesota Twins didn't have the results they were hoping for this year, missing the postseason after making a flurry of moves at the trade deadline such as trading for starting pitcher Dean Kremer and relievers A.J. Minter and Jeff Hoffman to bolster their bullpen.
Nonetheless, a bright spot in their dismal season was veteran designated hitter Josh Bell who joined the organization on a one-year, $7 million contract in free agency after bouncing across the league with various teams including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins.
Soon to be in his 12th season, the 34-year-old Bell has made a case for himself as he seeks a long-term home, hitting .255 while recording a .738 OPS and launching 21 home runs as a Twin. He also became the first Twins hitter to record 90 RBI during a season in five years, finishing with 96 to barely trail Jorge Polanco's 98 in 2021.
The Twins ended the season on a high note, defeating the Texas Rangers 6-4 on Sunday to secure the series win as Bell went 1-for-2 at the plate, crushing a two-run homer in the third inning to put Minnesota ahead 3-1. He would conclude the afternoon with three RBIs.
Bell was also instrumental in the Twins coming out on top 8-0 against the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 20, recording three hits in four at-bats.
For a Minnesota team with plenty of younger hitters like Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee and Luke Keaschall, Bell's presence has helped provide a nice balance of more experienced eyes at the plate along with star center fielder Byron Buxton.
As a result, bringing Bell back should help maintain some of the chemistry built within the lineup while also keeping around a key figure in the locker room.
His performance this year has garnered praise from manager Derek Shelton who crossed paths with Bell before in his managerial stint with Pittsburgh prior to being hired by Minnesota.
"We were very intentional when we built our club this year to put someone like Josh Bell into our group for me to be able to see the maturation you've taken as a person," Shelton said to Bell when congratulating him on 10 years of service time. "I knew you before you were married. I knew you before you had kids. To see the husband you are, the father you are, the 10 years is special. You're special."
As Bell and his family wait to see if they need to get packing once again, the Twins have a lot of reasons to make sure he remains in Minnesota.
