Could a Josh Bell Trade Become a Viable Josh Donaldson Alternative?

Bell is an interesting target and a switch-hitter in the middle of our lineup would be solid.     But his defensive short comings and his ability to only play 1B doesn't really help the Twins as much as you'd like.      I'd give up more to bring in Trevor Story.     Lock down a Gold Glove worthy SS with a big bat and make Story one of my cornerstones going forward.      Yes, it would cost more to get Story, but he helps the Twins so much more.     Colorado's top prospect is SS Brendon Rogers.     Another highly thought of prospect is Garrett Sampson, a 2B.     They could afford to give up Story.      They are NOT unseating the Dodgers this year or next.      What would it take to get this done ??  

I`m all in if it includes Chris Archer

Instead of trading for Bell, give Rooker a chance at 1B and make a trade with the Pirates for Starling Marte to play LF and back up Buxton in center. Right now, what’s the plan for when Buxton has another extended stint on the IL? Kepler was OK but didn’t playing CF damage him so much he went on the IL late in the year too? Rosario can be shipped somewhere for a minor league prospect.

That is one stat that Cron is just ahead of Bell on. And in the top-4 of the league at that. Check the offensive numbers and Bell was in 2019 clearly a better player than Cron. 

But Cron would have cost nothing but money.  Who are you going to trade to get Bell?

I agreed with this line of thinking on December 6, 2019

and revised it a little bit on December 27, 2019

Included with both of those posts are trade scenarios for Bell and Marte and Archer

Would be predicated by signing JD

Then Flip Marte to CF needy teams for BP piece

Why would we trade players of value to sign a first baseman who ranks behind C J Cron?  Why didn't we just sign Cron and keep the players?  This kind of maneuver makes no sense to me

B/c in waiting on Donaldson, others are signing.  If JD goes to Atlanta, it's going to be a scramble for the FO.

I can't see Pittsburgh moving him already. This is his first year of arbitration so it's not going to be that expensive for them.

Three years of control for an excellent first baseman would be great. I wonder what the price would be, but this is interesting for sure.

If we were going to trade for a 1B over signing Moreland or Thames I'd rather get Trey Mancini from Baltimore.

Why trade for this guy? This makes no sense at all

I'm repeating myself here because I mentioned it in another thread, but I think Dominic Smith of the Mets could be a possible trade acquisition. With Alonso entrenched at 1B, Smith is a bat without a position for them. I'm not a trade guru but does Fernando Romero and Nick Gordon get us there, or too much?

I do think Dominic Smith is a much better and realistic target for the Twins... really not sure of the cost. Smith has no place to go but is great insurance at this point for the Mets. Can't believe it would take a top prospect to get  him but who knows. Per Rotoworld the Met's have Smith on the block..

In the article they are trying to get rid of Lowrie and Smith. Lowrie's 10 mil contract and Smith as he is out of options and no direct place to play....Don't see where Lowrie would fit but Smith would be a good option if Donadson doesn't make it.

Heck they have 6 starters right now so see what a  Smith and Matz package costs!!

I`m all in if it includes Chris Archer

I`m curious what kind of players would Pittsburgh be interested in a trade. We have a lot of outfield, infield & even pitching   possibblities

I'm not all that interested in trading for a position player right now; I want Donaldson because he's an elite player who can fill a need while significantly raising bar and only costing money. I'd much rather spend assets on trading for pitching; there's several 1B options on the FA market if Donaldson can't be convinced to leave Atlanta that would replace Cron's production nicely.

Bell's a good hitter but prying a 27-year old relatively cheap asset out of Pittsburgh isn't going to be cheap. If he can sustain this level of offensive production while making marginal improvements on D, he's a borderline all-star. But is that the guy we want to dump a haul of prospect assets on? Especially if there's a concern that Sano isn't going to stick at 3B?

You're not getting Bell for Rooker & Romero and an A-ball guy. Pittsburgh might not demand Royce Lewis, but they're going to want a significant asset to headline the package, not a couple of guys that are in the 20-25 range in the system.

Archer is the more interesting guy over at Pittsburgh, IMHO.