Josh Bell Hopes Second-Half Adjustments Make Powerful Impact on 2026 Twins

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of William Parmeter

The biggest addition to the Minnesota Twins lineup this offseason came when they signed switch-hitting first baseman Josh Bell. Minnesota added the veteran to provide stability in the middle of the order, and if his recent track record holds, he could be exactly what the lineup needs.

Over the last four seasons, Bell has quietly delivered steady offensive contributions. He's averaged a 109 OPS+ during that span, while hitting roughly 20 home runs and 24 doubles per year. That level of production offers valuable support for a team looking to create more run-scoring opportunities—and capitalize better when they arise.

Bell has never excelled on defense. His glove grades out below average (-4 OAA in 2025), but the Twins have built flexibility around him. Players like Kody Clemens and Victor Caratini can cover first base if needed, giving manager Derek Shelton different lineup options.

In recent seasons, Minnesota has taken a similar approach, repeatedly bringing in veteran first basemen on short-term deals. The results have varied. Ty France held down the position in 2025, while Carlos Santana did so in 2024 and Donovan Solano in 2023. France and Santana both delivered strong defensive seasons that earned American League Gold Glove honors, but the offensive production from the position has fluctuated.

Bell is a different style and caliber of player, at least after one adjusts for the stage of each player's career at which they arrived in Minnesota. His value is tied more closely to what he can do with the bat. Early in camp, Bell has focused on settling into a new clubhouse and getting back into the rhythm of spring training.

“Definitely a good first couple of weeks, shaking hands, meeting different people,” Bell said. “I think spring training, for the most part, is the same, no matter what camp you go to. It's like shaking the cobwebs off. Try to establish your routine. Obviously, stay healthy out there as more and more innings get put onto your plate. But I'm definitely happy to be here and excited for the opportunity ahead.”

With a roster that blends veterans and younger players, Bell also understands the leadership role that often comes with experience. For him, that responsibility starts with communication.

“I think it all starts with conversation, getting to know different people,” Bell said. “People come to me with different questions. And for me, it's just about being honest about my experience. I've had a few more reps than other people in this clubhouse. But we all have the same love for the game. We're all trying to get to the pinnacle: postseason. See what we can do here collectively to do that.”

He believes leaders show themselves in small moments, rather than grand speeches.

“So that's the goal, lead by example, lead by a conversation here or there," he said. "That's what Shelty wants out of me, so I'm happy to do that.”

Bell’s offensive approach evolved throughout last season. After making adjustments entering the year, he initially struggled to produce the type of contact he expected. Through June 12, he was hitting .178 with a .605 OPS, but posted an .839 OPS from then on.

“Yeah, I thought I was in a great position leaving camp (in 2024),” Bell said. “I had a homer that first series, you know how that goes, I felt like I was on top of the world. Lot more fly outs than I was used to, a lot more soft contact than I was used to. Ball flight was there, but it wasn't crushed the way I normally do when I get balls in the air.”

As the season progressed, Bell simplified things at the plate and focused on driving the ball with authority again.

“So, I kind of honed things down and got back to squaring up the baseball and reestablished myself in the box and [was] able to drive the ball to all fields,” Bell said. “Then, as the season went on, I got a couple hot streaks to increase the power numbers and leave the yard a few times. So definitely a learning experience, not the start that I wanted, but hoping for a better start this year.”

That late-season adjustment has shaped his preparation heading into 2026. Rather than reinventing anything, Bell is sticking with the routine that helped him finish strong.

“Yeah, you got the same routine as I had the last four months, pretty much the same thing in the cage,” Bell said. “So you feel good, feel good for both sides about getting the reps now and addressing it, and getting out there and competing.”

For Bell, the key to unlocking power is surprisingly simple. Focus on hitting the ball hard and let the strength take care of the rest.

“I think it was just about not missing balls in my zone,” Bell said. “When I focus on driving balls to all fields, the at-bat tends to end when it needs to. So I'm not up there fouling balls off and grinding. Balls coming in my zone, at-bats over. If I screw it up, it's 100 plus, and if it's in the air, better things happen.”

That mindset allows the power to show up naturally.

“I think it was more just that, not trying to do too much pre-pitch, understanding if it comes into my zone, I have the strength to get it out of the ballpark, not trying to force that issue.”

Ultimately, Bell’s role in the lineup will be determined by performance. He views the situation in straightforward terms.

“I feel like if I'm playing well, I'll be in the lineup,” Bell said. “That's the way I see it.”

For the Twins, that may be exactly what they're hoping for. While Minnesota has cycled through several veteran first basemen over the last few seasons, Bell brings a different offensive profile. If his approach continues to yield consistent power and run production, the Twins may finally get the middle-of-the-order impact at first base they've been seeking.

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What are realistic expectations for Bell in 2026? Can he replicate his numbers from the second half of last season? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[DocBauer]

I like Bell. I like his signing in general terms. I just like him better as a DH than as a 1B. I wonder what his career WAR would be if he had spent less time at 1B?

Until last season, he's had generally neutral splits. Solid bat for his career, usually good for 18-22 HR and 70-85 RBI. That's a useful bat.

I'm still trying to figure out if he's going to be the primary 1B, or primary DH and they'll mix and match at 1B. Ugh! 

I don't blame him for poor roster construction. He's actually a solid add to the lineup by himself. I just don't know how they make all these pieces fit.

[Major League Ready]

13 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

I like Bell. I like his signing in general terms. I just like him better as a DH than as a 1B. I wonder what his career WAR would be if he had spent less time at 1B?

Until last season, he's had generally neutral splits. Solid bat for his career, usually good for 18-22 HR and 70-85 RBI. That's a useful bat.

I'm still trying to figure out if he's going to be the primary 1B, or primary DH and they'll mix and match at 1B. Ugh! 

I don't blame him for poor roster construction. He's actually a solid add to the lineup by himself. I just don't know how they make all these pieces fit.

For me, the signing makes little sense as a DH.  He is just not a good enough hitter to warrant a roster spot as a primary DH.  We have plenty of LH hitters to fill that role so his value as a DH is primarily against LHP and that's not a good utilization of a roster spot.

[RpR]

As has been said before , here, he was not signed as a DH; end of story.

[DocBauer]

25 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

For me, the signing makes little sense as a DH.  He is just not a good enough hitter to warrant a roster spot as a primary DH.  We have plenty of LH hitters to fill that role so his value as a DH is primarily against LHP and that's not a good utilization of a roster spot.

I will politely disagree. 

In my opinion, the miss was not finding a true, every day 1B from SOMEWHERE. That would have changed the complexion of the OF where Wallner could be the primary DH...still able to play some OF...and all the OF depth/numbers takes on a different look where we can add more speed and defense, without blocking debuts of Rodriguez, Jenkins, and Gonzalez later on.

Just for a moment, Roden in RF, Martin in LF, and the whole debate about Outman goes away as he could still be a 4th OF type, easily replaced at any time. But at least we've added speed and defense with SOME offensive potential. Again, Wallner can still play a little OF as well. And there's room to platoon a little at DH for half days off.

That might be more the configuration come 2027 at this point with the younger players and prospects debuting at various points this year.

But WITHOUT adding that TRUE 1B, Bell offers a solid BAT, which is something the lineup needs. A solid, productive, ML BAT. Again, I don't like the roster construction, but that's not Bell's fault. That blame goes to ownership and the FO for bungling the offseason, even when there were some options late that might have changed the complexion of the team.

But by himself, I like Bell as an addition for the lineup. Career wise, solid bat, solid OB%, good power, solid splits, solid OPS. This lineup really needed to add a BAT. And even if the plan was for Wallner to remain in RF for another season, I still like the addition of Bell for 2026. But again, I like him as a DH with a legitimate 1B ALSO being added. IMO, that really changes the whole complexion of the lineup as well as the roster.

Just blows my mind that the second easiest spot on the field to upgrade the lineup/roster is so grossly ignored by our FO.

[DJL44]

I hope they trade Larnach so Bell can DH more. He has no range at first base.

[Patzky]

8 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

For me, the signing makes little sense as a DH.  He is just not a good enough hitter to warrant a roster spot as a primary DH.  We have plenty of LH hitters to fill that role so his value as a DH is primarily against LHP and that's not a good utilization of a roster spot.

Seems again, that if Larnach is traded some of these roster questions solve themselves 

[Major League Ready]

7 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I hope they trade Larnach so Bell can DH more. He has no range at first base.

That would help short-term but if this team is going to be good at some point, Wallner also needs to be moved out of the OF to DH or traded.  The corner OF spots need to be taken over by some combination of Jenkins / Gonzalez / Roden / Martin and perhaps Mendez or even Keaschall.  Signing Larnach was a product of Tom Pohlad's insistence / delusion that this terrible team must contend this year and in the process he created what most everyone here recognizes as a dysfunctional roster.

[jmlease1]

If Bell can hit like he did last season without the horrific, awful, terrible, no-good March/April that hung around his neck, then he's going to be a good add to the lineup and an effective hitter at 1B or DH.

Yes, his defense isn't good and he has about as much range as a tree but he can hit. If his splits normalize a bit, his ability as a switch hitter will make sense in the lineup.

As a 1-year option there's not much risk and pretty good reward if he hits like he did the second half of the season. Clemens can give him some relief on defense in the late innings as well (I'm less excited about Caratini as a backup 1B, but as a 3rd option he's ok).

It comes down to hitting. If we get last season minus the dreadful start, we're going to be pretty happy with Bell in the lineup. If he's closer to league average as a hitter and sits in the 100-105 OPS+ range, then we're going to be less happy because that's not a lot of offense for someone who doesn't add on defense.

[bean5302]

Bell makes no sense on the roster. $7MM for a league average hitting DH who can stand where first basemen generally stand. BTV has him at -$2MM last I checked because he's been a replacement level player the last 3 seasons.

While it's possible Bell could have a resurgent season, there's very supporting an expectation that's going to happen. To me, he's just another Joey Gallo, Ty France, Donovan Solano, Kyle Farmer, Carlos Santana type. Every once in a while, you get lucky in terms of WAR based on a funky defensive boost or something, but make no mistake, none of those guys had an impressive year at the plate.

[DJL44]

4 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

That would help short-term but if this team is going to be good at some point, Wallner also needs to be moved out of the OF to DH or traded.  The corner OF spots need to be taken over by some combination of Jenkins / Gonzalez / Roden / Martin and perhaps Mendez or even Keaschall.  Signing Larnach was a product of Tom Pohlad's insistence / delusion that this terrible team must contend this year and in the process he created what most everyone here recognizes as a dysfunctional roster.

I agree, but they’re stuck with Bell this season. They backloaded his contract which makes him almost untradeable.

[Linus]

So the adjustment he made was just to try and hit the ball hard?

[Major League Ready]

17 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I agree, but they’re stuck with Bell this season. They backloaded his contract which makes him almost untradeable.

The 2nd year is a mutual option.  He will be very tradeable at the deadline if he hits like he did the 2nd half of last year.  If not, it costs them $1.25M to let him go.

[DJL44]

18 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

The 2nd year is a mutual option.  He will be very tradeable at the deadline if he hits like he did the 2nd half of last year.  If not, it costs them $1.25M to let him go.

Because of that option, he has $4M remaining at the trade deadline. Most contenders are looking for a better DH than Bell. He wasn’t traded last season and brought back very little the season before that.

[Brett]

Trying to get these permutations correct - if Larnach is traded, then Bell can be the principal DH, and Clemens and Caratini can share 1B. The net effect on the batting order is trading Larnach’s bat for Clemens or Caratini, which doesn’t seem better. It might even be a little worse, although that is apparently offset by better fielding.

Somewhere, Jeremy Zoll has his head in his hands thinking about the fact that about 8 guys on the projected roster have indistinguishable qualities.

[bean5302]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Because of that option, he has $4M remaining at the trade deadline. Most contenders are looking for a better DH than Bell. He wasn’t traded last season and brought back very little the season before that.

Yeah, it's really a 1yr $8.25MM contract, but I think MLR's point is Bell was getting good results in the 2nd half. So yeah, if Bell has a remarkable resurgence at the plate this year following his 2nd half of last year .267/.353/.489 OPS .842 wRC+ 134 through the trade deadline this year, he'll be easy to move.

Then the likely scenario is Bell could be flipped for a PTBNL if he's in that wRC+ 100-110 range.

and the other likely scenario is he's washed up, can't hit and the Twins continue to give him all the at bats like they did with Gallo and the Twins eat the $4MM just because Falzoll doesn't understand the concept of budgets.

[Major League Ready]

4 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Because of that option, he has $4M remaining at the trade deadline. Most contenders are looking for a better DH than Bell. He wasn’t traded last season and brought back very little the season before that.

You tell me.  He had a wRC+ of 100 at the deadline last year.  However, he had a 139 wRC+ for the 2nd half.  If he has a 139 wRC+ at the deadline, and therefore a 139 wRC+ for the previous 7 months, will that be a bat a contender wants to add.  They could take the money out of the equation and cover all or most of it given it's spent money.