Josh Bell exercises 2024 player option

He's staying! The Miami Marlins acquired Josh Bell at the trade deadline with the assumption that he'd be on their roster through 2024. Bell almost performed too well as a Marlin, raising the question of whether the free agent market would value him at even more than the $16.5 million salary he was due to make. On Saturday, the Marlins announced that he was exercising his player option to remain in Miami.

The Marlins don't make it to October without Bell. Splitting time between first base and designated hitter, he slashed .270/.338/.480 (119 wRC+) in 53 regular season games following his trade from Cleveland, including .287/.350/.543 (138 wRC+) at LoanDepot Park. The veteran switch-hitter was especially hot from the right side of the plate during that span. He was also one of the only hitters on the team who showed up for the NL Wild Card Series (4-for-8, 2 2B).

This MLB free agent class is thin on everyday hitters like Bell. At age 31 and with a very durable track record, he would have received multi-year offers. However, that likely would've meant settling for a salary of less than $16.5M in 2024. By exercising his option, Bell is attempting to maximize his career earnings and betting on himself to pick up where he left off at the end of 2023.

For fellow slugger Jorge Soler, opting for free agency was a much simpler decision. Soler's likelihood of re-signing with the Marlins was already low—this news makes it almost impossible to envision. Resources must be reserved for addressing several other areas of the roster (shortstop, catcher, starting rotation, etc.).

Although we can expect Bell to see substantial playing time at first base next year, he has never been a strong defender there. He can co-exist with another first baseman on the roster, whether it's Marlins Minor League Player of the Year Troy Johnston or somebody who's not currently with the organization. Lots of permutations for the yet-to-be-filled front office to consider this offseason.

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images