The New York Yankees have risen to the top of the AL East early in the season, thanks in part to Juan Soto’s offensive prowess and unexpected contributions from Anthony Volpe and Oswaldo Cabrera.
However, Anthony Rizzo, a seasoned three-time All-Star, hasn’t displayed the power hitting the team had hoped for, with a batting line of just .240/.313/.307 in 75 at bats. His OPS is currently at its lowest since his rookie season, and if he doesn’t improve offensively, the team might explore trade options for first base.
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report suggests the Yankees could target Josh Bell from the Miami Marlins as a replacement for Rizzo. Kelly notes that with the Marlins struggling in the 2024 season, there’s a good chance Bell, who is in the final year of a two-year, $33 million contract, could be available. Bell could be a suitable option for the Yankees if Rizzo and/or Giancarlo Stanton fail to pick up their performance.
Former Silver Slugger Josh Bell Could Be a Midseason Boost for the New York Yankees
In his nine seasons in the big leagues, Bell has a batting line of .258/.346/.451, earning a Silver Slugger Award in 2022 and an All-Star nod in 2019. However, in 2024, his performance hasn’t been an improvement over Rizzo’s, with Bell hitting just .200/.300/.329 with two home runs and seven RBIs. Yet, as a switch hitter, Bell has a track record of revitalizing teams midseason, and it’s worth noting that he started slow last season before significantly improving.
“Josh Bell has often found himself on teams with smaller budgets, and when those teams aren’t in contention, they tend to trim payroll,” Kelly commented. “For the second consecutive year, Bell has struggled with his bat at the start of the season. However, in the second half of 2023, he posted an OPS of nearly .800, which helped the offensively challenged Marlins reach the playoffs for just the fourth time in franchise history.”
The New York Yankees and Miami Marlins Seem Open to Midseason Trade Discussions
As the Yankees aim to leave behind a disappointing 2023 season and make a return to the playoffs this year, it seems likely that midseason moves could be on the horizon if general manager Brian Cashman spots an opportunity to strengthen the team.
On the other hand, the Marlins seem open to almost any chance to trim payroll and build for the future, especially after already trading veteran Jon Berti to the Yankees.
“It’s not too early to see the Miami Marlins as potential sellers at the trade deadline,” reported Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin for The Athletic. “They’ve already moved one veteran player and have been considering offers for some of their key players. If their performance doesn’t improve, first-year general manager Peter Bendix will likely be more inclined to break up his roster.”
Should the Yankees pursue Bell, they might face competition at the deadline. Kelly mentioned the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins as other possible landing spots for the slugger, although the Cubs seem to have settled on Michael Busch as their present and future first baseman.
