Josh Bell Signs With the Minnesota Twins
Sources confirmed to ESPN and MLB.com on Monday that Josh Bell and the Minnesota Twins have agreed to a one-year deal with a mutual option. It is a move that feels equal parts safe and essential for a Minnesota club trying to find consistent pop in the middle of the order.
For those keeping score at home, Bell is set to be the Twins’ fifth different Opening Day first baseman in as many years. He follows a lineage of short-term solutions and hopeful sluggers, including Miguel Sanó, Joey Gallo, Carlos Santana, and Ty France. But unlike some of the sheer gambles of the past, he brings a resume that suggests he might actually stick.
The Swing Change That Nearly Derailed Bell
Here is the most human part of Bell’s recent story: We have all tried to “fix” something that wasn’t actually broken, only to realize we made a huge mistake.
Bell spent the early part of the 2025 season with the Washington Nationals, trying out a new swing. To say it backfired would be an understatement. It was a disaster. Through March and April, Bell looked lost, hitting a meager .137 with a .503 OPS. He was practically giving away outs.
But then, the lightbulb went on. He scrapped the new mechanics, went back to the old Bell swing, and immediately started raking. From May 1 through the end of the year, he slashed a respectable .265 with an .807 OPS. If you look at just the final four months, that OPS climbed to .845.
That resilience is what the Twins are buying. They aren’t paying for the guy who slumped in April; they are paying for the guy who realized his mistake, adjusted, and crushed 22 homers over the course of the year.
Why the Numbers Back Up the Signing
You might look at the aggregate stats, a .237 average and .417 slugging percentage, and shrug. But dig a little deeper into the advanced metrics, and you see why Minnesota pulled the trigger.
Bell posted a 47% hard-hit rate in 2025, his highest mark since 2021. When he connects, the ball screams off the bat. Furthermore, his expected slugging percentage (.497) was his best since 2019.
He also brings a disciplined eye to the plate, which is a commodity this Twins lineup desperately needs. His 10.7% walk rate was well above the league average, and he kept his strikeouts in check at just 16.5%. In an era where guys swing out of their shoes and miss constantly, Bell puts the ball in play.
Fitting Bell Into the Minnesota Puzzle
So, where does he fit? Right in the heart of things. A switch-hitter is a manager’s best friend, and Bell was particularly lethal from the left side last year (.804 OPS vs .552 from the right). He offers protection for Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton.
The projected lineup looks significantly deeper with Bell batting fifth:
- Luke Keaschall (2B)
- Matt Wallner (RF)
- Byron Buxton (CF)
- Royce Lewis (3B)
- Josh Bell (1B)
- Ryan Jeffers (C)
- Kody Clemens (DH)
- Brooks Lee (SS)
- Trevor Larnach (LF)
The Twins reportedly have about $20 million to spend this offseason, meaning Bell might just be the first domino to fall. But as far as starting points go, grabbing a veteran bat who knows how to get on base and hit the ball hard is a solid first step toward contending in the AL Central.
