Marlins trade Josh Bell to Diamondbacks for cash considerations

Ely Sussman · July 29, 2024

The All-Star break rejuvenated Bell's bat after a disappointing first half of the season. He will fill in for Arizona's injured first baseman.

For the third trade deadline in a row, Josh Bell is on the move. The Arizona Diamondbacks are acquiring him from the Miami Marlins for cash considerations or a player to be named later. The D-backs are on the hook for $2.25M of Bell's remaining salary, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, with Miami taking responsibility for the rest (more than $3M).

The Marlins acquired Bell from the Cleveland Guardians in a bad contract swap on 2023 deadline day (with Jean Segura and prospect Kahlil Watson going the other way). Down the stretch of that season, he was exactly what Miami's lineup needed, so much so, it was unclear whether he'd still be on the books this season for $16.5M or decline his player option in search of a larger payday. Bell ultimately decided to exercise the option.

Unfortunately, Bell's production has fallen off in 2024. By practically any definition, he was a below-average first baseman/designated hitter in 104 pre-deadline games played. The switch-hitter slashed .239/.305/.394 with 14 home runs. He had a 92 wRC+ from the right side and 98 wRC+ from the left side (his career norms are a 108 wRC+ and 114 wRC+, respectively). Bell's best asset continues to be his durability—he ranks tied for ninth in MLB in games played since 2017 with only two very brief injured list stints during that period.

Early Sunday afternoon, the Marlins placed Bell on waivers to give other teams a chance to pick up what's left of his salary (approx. $5.5M). Once he cleared waivers, they agreed on this arrangement that calls for Miami to eat the majority of Bell's money.

Conveniently, Bell's hottest 10-game stretch of the season happened immediately prior to the deadline, slashing .342/.444/.763 and homering five times.

Also conveniently (and unfortunately), Arizona's terrific first baseman, Christian Walker, suffered an oblique injury on Monday night. Shortly after the Bell trade was announced, Walker was placed on the 10-day IL. Bell is being leaned upon to temporarily fill that void.

Had the Marlins agreed to pay 100% of Bell's salary, perhaps the D-backs would have parted with a more substantial prospect in return. We might never know for sure.

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One Regend · July 30, 2024

I'm surprised they were able to come out of this with cash. I was expecting them to either eat all of his money and trade him for basically nothing, or to hang onto him and release him by late August.

At least now, the Marlins can actually make use of their glut of 1B/DH prospects they have sitting in AAA, finally.